The Plant Survival Guide

The 10-minute guide to keeping any houseplant alive — from Joey's greenhouse.

1. Pass the light test before you buy

At midday, with every lamp off, stand where the plant will live. If you can comfortably read a paperback, you have low-to-medium light — most of our Low Light collection will thrive. If the page is easy to read and the room gets direct sun part of the day, nearly anything will grow. Match the plant to the light you actually have, not the light you wish you had.

2. The one watering rule that prevents 90% of deaths

More houseplants drown than starve. Before you ever water, push a finger two inches into the soil. Damp? Walk away. Dry? Water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes, then leave it alone until the top two inches are dry again. That's the entire system. Slower in winter, slower in dim rooms.

3. Arrival day, done right

Unbox the day it arrives. Give the roots a drink, repot using the steps in your box (about ten minutes), and park it somewhere bright but out of direct sun for its first week. A little travel droop is normal — it resolves within days. Resist the urge to fuss.

4. Pets and plants can coexist

Every listing on our site shows a pet-safety chip. Green check: harmless to cats and dogs per ASPCA guidance — browse the whole Pet Friendly collection. Clay warning: keep it on a high shelf or in a closed room. Placement beats willpower; a bored cat investigates everything.

5. Know the three thirst signals

Drooping leaves that perk up after watering: thirsty. Yellow lower leaves and soil that stays wet: overwatered — let it dry out completely. Crispy brown leaf tips: dry air or inconsistent watering — get on a rhythm. When in doubt, check the soil before doing anything.

6. When something looks wrong, text us

A photo tells us more than a paragraph. Text (330) 794-3589 and a real human will diagnose it — watering, light, pests, whatever it is — and stay with you until it's thriving. Free, forever, for every plant we ship. And remember: every order is covered by our Live-Arrival Guarantee — if it doesn't arrive healthy, text a photo within 48 hours and we'll replace it free.

— Joey

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