Essentials⏱ 5 min read
Choosing the Right Plant
Match plant to lifestyle, not aesthetics. Which plants suit your light levels, schedule, and experience so they actually survive.
By Light Level
Bright light (south/west window):
Fiddle leaf fig, Bird of Paradise, cacti, succulents, herbs.
Medium-bright (east window):
Monstera, Pothos, Rubber plant, Peace lily, Snake plant.
Lower light:
ZZ plant, Cast iron plant, Dracaena, Chinese evergreen.
By Lifestyle
Forgetful waterers:
Snake plant, ZZ plant, Cacti, Succulents. These tolerate weeks of neglect.
Pet owners:
Avoid Pothos, Monstera, Snake plant, Peace lily — toxic to cats and dogs.
Safe: Spider plant, Boston fern, Parlour palm, Calathea.
Beginners:
Pothos, Spider plant, Snake plant, ZZ plant, Rubber plant.
Red Flags When Buying
- Yellow leaves in the shop
- Soil that's bone dry or waterlogged
- Visible pests on leaves or soil
- Mushy stems or foul smell
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