Extension for Real Life

How to Choose and Care for Houseplants

Video by Jonathan Parrish

If you struggle to keep houseplants healthy, you probably don’t have the right plant for your home or office.  

There are a wide variety of houseplants, and the trick to getting the right one is knowing where it will live in your space. Before you buy a houseplant, consider the amount of light it will get and the temperature and humidity in your house. Once you choose a plant or two, be sure to educate yourself about the type of soil it likes and the amount of water and fertilizer it needs.

If artificial houseplants have been your go-to foliage, Gary Bachman has the perfect houseplant for you.

For more information on choosing and caring for houseplants, read Extension publication 1012, “Care & Selection of Indoor Plants”.

If you think pests have taken up residence in your houseplants, Extension publication 2652, “Insect Pests of Houseplants” can help you decide how to control them.