GARDEN PLUS · EVERYDAY CARE
Indoor plant
care guide
A little care for the greenery you live with.
Find the right light, feel the soil and get to know your plant at home.
For common soil-grown indoor foliage plants. Orchids, cacti, carnivorous plants, hydroponics and self-watering systems need their own care routines.
Find the right light
Match the position to your plant, including shade and direct sun.
Feel the soil first
Check regularly. Water when your plant needs it.
Let excess water drain
Empty the saucer or outer pot so roots have air as well as water.
GARDEN PLUS · QUICK GUIDE
Indoor care at a glance
Find the right light, feel the soil, water when needed, then empty excess water.
Read the text summary
- Find the light: match the spot to the plant.
- Feel the soil: check moisture below the surface.
- Water if needed: soak the root ball slowly.
- Let it drain: empty the saucer or outer pot before replacing the plant.
Avoid direct air-con airflow. Clean and inspect leaves. For yellowing or drooping, check soil, drainage and the surroundings before deciding what to change.
01 / LIGHT & PLACEMENT
Where should it go?
Look at the daylight.
With room lights off during the day, notice where natural light reaches. Nearby buildings, curtains and glazing all affect what your plant receives.
Shade-tolerant plants still need light. Ordinary room lighting may not support healthy long-term growth.
Reference: University of Minnesota: lighting for indoor plants
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A bright window without prolonged harsh sun
A useful position for many foliage plants. Check the species and watch whether sunlight falls directly on its leaves.
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A window with direct sun
Consider the intensity and duration. Shade-loving plants may scorch; introduce brighter light gradually.
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Deep inside a room, in a corridor or without windows
Light may be insufficient. A space without daylight needs suitable grow lights and an appropriate lighting schedule.
02 / A NEW ARRIVAL
Bring it home. Let it settle.
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Unpack and check
Look at leaves, their undersides, stems and soil. Check drainage holes and empty standing water. Photograph any visible damage.
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Choose a spot, then check moisture
Place your plant according to its needs. Check the soil before watering: a delivery does not automatically mean a drink is due.
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Assess the existing pot
If drainage is good and roots have room, keep the nursery pot inside a decorative outer pot. Repot according to root and soil condition.
03 / CHECK BEFORE WATERING
When should you water?
Check before you pour.
The same plant can dry at different speeds in different rooms. Light, air conditioning, season, pot material and growing medium all play a part.
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Reach the growing medium
Move decorative stones or coverings aside. Gently feel a few centimetres below the surface to check moisture.
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Use more than one clue
For small pots, compare the weight after watering with the weight when drier. Do not judge a large, deep pot by its surface alone.
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Match the decision to the plant
Different plants need different degrees of drying between drinks. A dry surface can hide wet soil below.
Set a reminder to check your plants, then decide whether watering is needed.
04 / WATER & DRAIN
Water thoroughly.
Then let it drain.
For ordinary soil-grown plants in pots with drainage holes, water when needed so the root ball is moistened and excess water can escape.
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Pour slowly and evenly
Water across the soil surface and allow it to soak into the root ball. Frequent small splashes can leave deeper roots dry.
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Allow water to escape
Take a manageable nursery pot to the sink. Let excess water drain before returning it to the decorative pot.
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Empty the saucer or outer pot
Do not leave roots sitting in water. Plan how to catch, check and remove runoff from large pots while protecting the floor.
05 / AT HOME & AT WORK
For Hong Kong homes & offices
Adjust your care to the conditions where your plant actually lives.
Keep clear of air-con draughts
Cold airflow, temperature changes and dry air can affect leaves. Move plants out of continuous direct airflow, and check soil before adding water.
Humid weather? Still check the soil
Moist air does not mean the root ball has enough water. Keep gentle air circulation and avoid leaving foliage wet for long periods.
Plan for an empty office
Check moisture and standing water before leaving. Assign one person to plant care and record watering dates to avoid doubling up.
Reference: RHS: growing and caring for houseplants
Clean leaves and check their undersides
Gently wipe smooth, broad leaves with a soft damp cloth. Check leaf undersides and stem joints, remove fallen leaves, and look for insects, fine webbing or white cotton-like patches.
Feed according to growth
When plants are healthy and actively growing, use a suitable fertiliser at its labelled rate. Avoid overfeeding or fertilising very dry soil. Investigate yellowing or wilting before feeding.
Repot when there is a reason
Dense circling roots, deteriorating potting mix or unusually fast drying deserve a closer look. If repotting is needed, choose suitable medium and the next appropriate pot size, rather than a much larger container.
07 / READ THE SIGNS
What are the leaves telling you?
Similar symptoms can have different causes. Check soil, drainage and placement before choosing a treatment.
Reference: RHS: how to help a poorly houseplant
Yellow leaves: should I add water?
Feel the soil and check for water in the outer pot. Dryness, prolonged wetness and unsuitable light can all cause yellowing. Leaf colour alone is not a watering instruction.
The plant is drooping, but the soil is wet?
Do not keep adding water. Both thirst and damaged roots can cause drooping. Check drainage and standing water; seek advice if decline continues, stems soften or an unusual smell develops.
What causes brown leaf tips or edges?
Check soil moisture, dry air, direct air-con flow and recent fertiliser use. Avoid watering, feeding and repotting all at once without identifying the cause.
Long, weak growth leaning towards the window?
Check for insufficient light. Move gradually to a position suited to the species, rather than suddenly into harsh sun.
White cotton-like patches, webbing or small insects?
Separate the plant from others and take clear close-ups of leaf undersides and stems. Identify the problem before choosing a treatment.
GARDEN PLUS · HERE TO HELP
Need a hand with your plant?
A photo of the whole plant and its surroundings tells us much more than a single yellow leaf.
- Plant name or order number, if available, plus whole-plant and close-up photos.
- Photos of soil, pot base, saucer or outer pot, and the position relative to the window.
- Last watering date, air-con use, and when the problem began.