The Green Leaf

The Plant Parent Guide

Keeping indoor plants alive isn't magic—it's just about understanding their basic needs.

The 4 Pillars of Plant Health

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Watering

The Finger Test: Stick your finger 1 inch into the soil. If it's dry, water it. If it's damp, wait.

Golden Rule: Overwatering kills more plants than underwatering!

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Lighting

Most indoor plants love "Bright Indirect Light."

Think of a spot near a window, but not directly in the harsh midday sun rays which can burn leaves.

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Humidity

Indoor heating and AC dry out the air. Most tropical plants originate from rainforests.

Group plants together or mist them occasionally to boost moisture.

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Feeding

Plants get hungry too! Use a liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (Spring & Summer).

Do not feed them in Winter when they are dormant.

🚑 Plant ER: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Is your plant looking sad? Use this chart to diagnose the problem.

Symptom Likely Cause The Fix
Yellow Leaves Overwatering (Wet feet) Stop watering immediately. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Crispy Brown Edges Low Humidity or Underwatering Mist the leaves or move away from radiators/heaters.
Drooping / Wilting Thirsty Give it a good drink! If it perks up in an hour, it was just thirsty.
Leggy Growth (Long stems) Not enough light The plant is stretching to find sun. Move it closer to a window.
Dusty Leaves Normal household dust Wipe with a damp cloth. Dust blocks sunlight and photosynthesis.