
Whether you have a bright, sunny windowsill perfect for a Cactus, a slightly shaded spot ideal for a Monstera, or even just a shady corner for a Fern – there’s a houseplant for everyone.
To help you get the most from your houseplants, we’ve outlined the five most important factors in plant care below. While different plant varieties have unique needs, and we always recommend researching specific care requirements for your plants, our guide will provide a great starting point!
Why Have Houseplants?
Houseplants connect us to nature, bringing greenery indoors and allowing us to connect with the natural world no matter where we live. Whether your home is modern, rustic, or somewhere in between, there’s a houseplant to suit every style and setting.
- Enhancing Your Space:
Indoor plants add life and vitality to our homes. They bring natural beauty with vibrant greens, pops of beautiful colour, and a sense of serenity to any space, adding to the atmosphere and aesthetics. With their diverse shapes, sizes, and colours, houseplants allow you to add a unique, personal touch to your home décor. - Improving Work Environments:
Beyond homes, houseplants can transform office or workspace environments. They inspire productivity, boost creativity, and create a welcoming and calming space for workers.
The Benefits of Houseplants
Houseplants are more than just decorative…
- Mood boosters: Having houseplants in your environment can improve your mood, reduce stress, and promote a sense of well-being.
- A rewarding hobby: Caring for plants is deeply fulfilling. Watching them thrive under your care gives everyday life a sense of purpose and tranquillity!
- Natural air purifiers: Houseplants act as natural air filters, removing toxins and increasing oxygen levels. Popular air-purifying varieties include Peace Lilies, Spider Plants, and Snake Plants.
- Enhanced focus: Studies suggest that having plants nearby can improve attention span and cognitive function.
While the exact number and types of plants needed to maximise these benefits remain under discussion, there’s no downside to incorporating beautiful greenery into your home or workspace.
Houseplant Care Guide
Proper care is essential for keeping your houseplants healthy and thriving. Here’s a guide to ensure they grow beautifully:
Light requirements:
- Indirect light for sensitive plants: Many houseplants, such as Peace Lilies or Pothos, prefer bright but indirect light. This can be achieved by placing them behind sheer curtains or a few feet away from sunny windows.
- Artificial light solutions: If natural light is limited, consider using grow lights. LED grow lights are energy-efficient and provide the right spectrum for plant growth, making them ideal for darker rooms.
- Seasonal adjustments: Light intensity and duration change with seasons, especially in the UK. During winter, you may need to move plants closer to windows or provide supplemental lighting.
- Signs of light issues: Yellowing or dropping leaves may indicate too little light, while scorched or brown leaf edges often signal too much direct sunlight.
- Rotating plants: To encourage even growth and prevent leaning, rotate your plants every few weeks, ensuring all sides receive adequate light.
Watering:
- Overwatering is a common issue that can lead to root rot. Check the top 2 inches of soil – if dry, it’s time to water.
- Always use pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Avoid leaving pots sitting in the water.
- For best results, use rainwater, which has a low pH and high oxygen content to support healthy root growth.
- During the growing season (spring to early autumn), feed plants with a balanced liquid fertiliser or one specific to their needs, approximately once a month.
- Avoid over-fertilising, as it can harm plants. In winter, when growth slows, reduce or pause feeding altogether.


Repotting:
- Repot every 1–3 years, depending on the plant’s growth. Use fresh houseplant compost and select a pot slightly larger than the current one.
- Loosen the roots gently before placing the plant in the new pot. Water thoroughly afterwards.
- Repot during the growing season (spring to early summer) for best results.
Maintenance:
- Dusting: Regularly dust leaves, especially for large-leaved plants like Monstera, to improve light absorption. Use a clean duster or give plants a gentle shower in the bath.
- Pruning: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim back leggy or overgrown stems, and remove yellowing or wilted leaves.
- Deadhead spent flowers on blooming plants to encourage new growth.
Don’t forget to check out our in-store books to further your houseplant knowledge and expertise – these also make gorgeous gifts. We have a vast selection of houseplants, pots, a wide range of feed, and compost – paired with our knowledgeable team, you’re sure to find the perfect plant at Haddenham.


