How to Keep Your Indoor Plants Thriving: 7 Essential Care Tips
Indoor plants are more than just pretty decor—they’re living companions that can transform a space, clean the air, and bring a sense of calm to your home. But to keep them healthy and growing strong, a little care goes a long way.
Easy Indoor Plant Care Tips
Whether you're a new plant parent or a seasoned indoor gardener, these simple practices will help your green friends flourish.
1. Use Neem Oil to Protect Leaves
Neem oil is a natural, plant-based solution that helps protect your indoor plants from pests like spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats. It also adds a healthy shine to leaves. Mix with water and a drop of mild soap, then spray the solution lightly over leaves every couple of weeks to keep unwanted bugs at bay.
2. Choose Elevated Pots for Better Drainage
Good drainage is key to preventing root rot—a common killer of houseplants. Use pots with drainage holes and elevate them with pot feet or a plant stand to allow water to escape freely. This ensures roots aren’t sitting in soggy soil and helps oxygen reach them more effectively.
3. Repot When Roots Outgrow the Container
If your plant seems to be drying out faster than usual or roots are peeking through the drainage holes, it might be time to repot. Gently remove the plant, loosen the roots, and place it into fresh soil in a slightly larger pot to give it room to grow.
4. Size Up to Encourage Growth
Plants, like people, need room to stretch. When a plant becomes root-bound, its growth can slow dramatically. Moving it to a slightly larger pot gives it space to develop a stronger root system—and a stronger plant overall.
5. Trim for Health and Shape
Regular pruning keeps your plant looking its best and encourages fuller, bushier growth. Remove dead or yellowing leaves and trim leggy stems to promote new growth. For vining or bushy plants, trimming is especially important to prevent them from becoming too sparse or unruly.
6. Stick to a Regular Watering Schedule
Inconsistent watering is one of the most common reasons houseplants struggle. Set reminders or create a weekly routine that aligns with your plant's needs. Remember: more plants die from overwatering than underwatering, so always check soil moisture first.
7. Knock Out Pests Naturally
Bugs happen—and they can be annoying. While neem oil is great for treating leaf pests, sometimes the problem starts in the soil. If you notice gnats or other soil-dwelling bugs, try watering with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water). It’s a safe and effective way to kill larvae and disinfect the soil. For ongoing issues, place a few yellow sticky traps near the base of the plant—these inexpensive strips attract and catch flying pests before they can lay eggs.
New to gardening or looking for more tips? Browse our gardening section for even more!