Grow Earthy plants are among the easiest to grow, but that doesn’t mean you can’t kill them. In the saddest cases, plants were loved to death with constant watering. A few died of thirst. Some got sunburn. Others grew pale and weak straining for light. How do you find a balance and provide the perfect conditions for your new plant? Follow these tips and remember: healthy roots = happy plant.

overwatering vs underwatering

Most plants need to dry out a bit between watering. Don’t be like the attentive waiter who tops off your glass every time you take a sip. Instead, water deeply, less frequently. How much and how often you should water will depend of the type of plant, the size of the pot, and where it is located. Good drainage will help your plant go with the flow and prevent soggy, rotting roots. Drill extra holes in plastic pots and add gravel to the bottom of clay or ceramic pots.

Too much light VS not enough

It is easier to overcome lighting issues because they first affect the leaves of the plant, not the roots. But it is still horrifying to watch a formerly lush ivy turn pale and leggy. String of Dolphin succulents become shapeless blobs without enough sunlight. Me too! But all three of us can burn with too much direct sunlight! These lighting definitions may help:

  • Full Sun – 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
  • Partial Sun/Partial Shade – 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
  • Indirect Light – sunlight filtered by a window, screen or tree branches or artificial light such as LED grow lights
  • Bright Indirect Light – within 3 feet of a bright window or light source
  • Medium Indirect Light – within 6 feet of a bright window or light source
  • Low Light or Full Shade – within 10 feet of a bright window or light source