5 Things To Research About A Plant Before Bringing It Home

When decorating with plants, choose varieties well-suited to your space.

Looking for the perfect houseplant to fill an empty corner of your living room, or hang in your bedroom for that finishing touch of green? Plants can bring so much life into a room, but in order to keep them alive in your space, you should choose a plant babe that’s well-suited for that specific spot. Doing a few minutes of research before you buy ensures any hard work you do potting, placing, and caring for your plant pays off in even more big, bold, green foliage to brighten your home over time.

What kind of light does it need?

Some plants — *cough, cough* pothos — will make due with any amount of light you give them, so if that empty spot in your home in need of a plant happens to be pretty dark, they’re a great option. But many prefer brighter indirect light to really get growing. Also, make sure if your plant will be near a window that it can handle any direct light shining through without burning its leaves.

Does this plant need high humidity?

Philodendrons, sansevierias, cacti and succulents will all do just fine even in the lowest humidity rooms of your home. On the other hand, ferns, marantas, calatheas, and many other plant types love a high-humidity environment. These guys will naturally do better in rooms with more moisture circulating in the air, like bathrooms or kitchens. If you have your heart set on a humidity-loving plant in a drier room, you can always set a humidifier (or just a bowl of water that can evaporate over time) near the plant for the same effect.

How much space will this plant need as it grows?

If you’re buying a live plant, chances are you intend to make sure it thrives. With all that TLC, it’ll need room to grow. If you want a large, statement-making plant (lookin’ at you, neathe bellas and ficus lyratas), you’ll want to measure its new space and find out how large the average one gets. Double checking a plant’s space needs ahead of time makes sure it’ll grow into its new home nicely, rather than growing out of it and requiring a replacement sooner than you’d hoped.

What type of soil is best?

While a sansevieria or pothos plant — some of the toughest indoor plants available — will be perfectly happy in a plain old potting soil, other plants are more particular. Cacti and succulents, for example, usually grow best in soils that drain well and dry out quickly. Other varieties like their dirt to stay a little damp. A quick Google search will tell you what the plant you’ve chosen will want in their *aesthetic* new planter you’ve chosen.

How much (or little) water does this plant like?

Once you’ve prepared the perfect place, planter, and soil for your new plant to come home, take a peek at its watering needs too. Knowing its hydration preferences ahead of time will make sure you two start off on the right foot and your plant will adapt to its new space more easily.