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Care for Houseplants: Plant Profiles

This guide covers the library's house plant borrowing program and plant care information.

The Library's House Plants Care Instructions

Light: These plants prefer a medium source of light year-round and will die if exposed to prolonged, direct, summer sun. Morning sun only is ideal, though they will survive less than ideal light exposures.


Water: Water frequently in spring and summer, keeping the soil consistently moist but not standing in water run-off. Watering frequency should vary as your home heats up and cools down with the seasons. During the pre-flowering period, reduce watering, letting the top ½ inch of soil dry out between waterings. After flowering, water only enough to keep soil barely moist for a period of three to six weeks. Do not overwater; if your plant begins to turn yellow at the tips you are giving it too much water and causing the cellular structure to rupture. Plan to water every 1 to 2 weeks or when soil is dry.


Temperature: Tropical forest cacti like warm household temperatures all year, though some need a rest periods after flowering and while setting buds to re-bloom. They are less actively growing in some parts of the year but, unlike desert cacti, do not take a single, long winter rest in a much cooler space. To form flowers some need to be moved to a spot with lower temperatures (below 65° F.) for a month or two after flowering and again before setting buds.

Light: They prefer full sun with some partial shade. Avoid intense summer afternoon sun, because it can burn the plant. During the winter, keep it next to your brightest window. It will stretch if it does not have enough sunlight.


Water: Do not over water. The best way of watering is the soak and dry method for this succulent. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. It will only need moderate amounts of water from spring to fall. During the winter months, give it minimal amounts.


Temperature: This plant is not cold hardy and loves warm temperatures. Ideally, should be in cooler temperatures during the fall and winter. About 60-75° F is preferred. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: In order to flower, plants need rest in the winter, without water and in a cold place - but not less than 5 °C (41 °F)

Light: They prefer full sun. During the winter, keep it next to your brightest window. It will stretch if it does not have enough sunlight.


Water: Do not over water. The best way of watering is the soak and dry method for this succulent. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water from spring to fall when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter. Give them just enough water to prevent wilting or about once every 2-3 weeks. 


Temperature: This plant is not cold hardy and loves warm temperatures. About 60-75+° F is preferred. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: This plant's sap is toxic and can cause serious skin and eye irritation. Wear gloves when working with this plant to avoid contact with its toxic sap.

Light: Select a place that gets bright, indirect light. They can’t take harsh afternoon light. It can tolerate lower light but will likely produce flowers if placed in brighter light. The more light it receives, the more vibrant the foliage and the more flowers it will produce. 


Water: Water regularly with room-temperature water, spring through summer. Let the top layer of soil dry between watering. In the fall and winter growth naturally slows down and they won’t use as much water. Water sparingly during fall and winter, give them just enough that the soil doesn’t dry out completely. Too much water can cause flowers to drop.


Temperature: Keep the room temperature warm year-round, try not to let it drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also best to keep it from touching cold windows and away from heating and cooling vents.

Light: This plant enjoys bright indirect light. So, placing it a few feet away from a southern window is a good idea. Keep inch plants out of direct sunlight and out of dark areas.


Water: Water your plant when the top 50%-75% of soil is dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer. You should be watering about once a week, but always check the soil first.


Temperature: The room temperature should be average (between 55° and 75°F). It does best in a slightly more humid environment. Feel free to mist your plant frequently. If the humidity is too low the leaves will start to brown.

Light: They need bight direct light from a south facing window, they can handle some indirect light, such as being placed a few feet away from a bright window.


Water: They are extremely drought tolerant. They need some water during the summer but do not leave the soil wet for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the winter, when they are somewhat dormant.


Temperature: Avoid frost, keep above 32° F (0 °C), although can go down to 28 ° F (-2 ° C). Prefers warmer weather, but don’t place in front of a heater.

Light: Jade plants need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. Young plants should be kept in bright, indirect sunlight; large, well-established jade plants can handle more direct sunlight.


Water:  Use tepid water, allowing the water to run from the bottom of the pot and checking back after 15 minutes to remove any water sitting in the plant's run-off dish. Needs minimal watering in winter and fall. Let soil dry before watering again, don't over water. Usually, you are watering between every 1-2 weeks, but always check the soil.


Temperature: Jade plants grow best at room temperature (65° to 75°F), but prefer slightly cooler temperatures in the winter (down to 55°F ). Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: Try to avoid splashing water on the leaves while watering, as this can expose them to rot in a humid environment.

Light: Pilea will live in semi-shade but bright, indirect light. A great placement would be a short distance from a window. Avoid direct sunlight. The main shoot naturally divides into side branches, and dense growth is usually automatic on a young plant. With lower light levels, the plant will be leggier and leaves will be more spread out.


Water: They do not like overly wet conditions, but like humidity. When watering do so sparingly, but soak all the soil, with room temperature water. Let the top two-thirds of the potting mixture dry out before watering a. In winter, it will require less water. Usually, you are watering between every 1-2 weeks, but always check the soil.


Temperature: Normal household temperatures, in the range of 65 to 80ºF., are good. Do not let the temperature fall below 55ºF. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: Leaves need to be wiped regularly with a damp cloth. Without this care, the accumulating dust interferes with photosynthesis. Yellowing leaves are common and may be due to overly wet conditions, particularly if stems are also soft. Leaves also become pale if overexposed to light. Lower leaves yellow as they age naturally and prepare to drop.

Light: They prefer bright, indirect light but will put up with some light shade and continue to grow. Too much light will scorch the leaves, and they will become yellow. Though they can survive poor light conditions, they may slowly decline in health and become leggy. Variegated varieties will need brighter light to reach their full-color potential. If they don’t receive enough light, they may revert to all green to maximize their photosynthesis.


Water: Water moderately, making the potting mixture soaked. In the low-light conditions of winter (Oct. Feb.), water only as often as is necessary to prevent the soil from drying completely. The plant will need more water in brighter conditions than in a dimmer spot. Usually, you are watering between every 1-2 weeks, but always check the soil.


Temperature: These are tropical plants, they like to be between 65 and 80°F. Do not keep this plant in temperatures below 55°F., but in winter, let it rest at a temperature around 60 ºF, if possible. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: Yellowing, falling leaves and rotting stems indicate that you are overwatering or the soil is retaining too much water. Brown edges and brown leaf spots together are caused when the root ball is allowed to dry out during the growing season.

Light: They prefer full sun with some partial shade. Avoid intense summer afternoon sun, because it can burn the plant. During the winter, keep it next to your brightest window. It will stretch if it does not have enough sunlight.


Water: Do not over water. The best way of watering is the soak and dry method for this succulent. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. It will only need moderate amounts of water from spring to fall.


Temperature: This plant is not cold hardy and loves warm temperatures. Ideally, should be in cooler temperatures during the fall and winter. About 60-75° F is preferred. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.

 

Light: They prefer plentiful sunlight, but will put up with some light shade and continue to grow. They will be happy with direct sunlight. They should be protected from the hottest, southern sun in summer.


Water:  Be careful not to over water the plant. Only water when the soil is dry, but make sure to fully soak the plant so that water run out of the drainage hole at the bottom. Then remove any standing water in the saucer. Usually, you are watering between every 1-2 weeks, but always check the soil.


Temperature: These are tropical plants and a warm household, between 65 and 80°F., is ideal. Do not keep below 55°F. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: Each of the leaves have a pointed tip that you should treat gently; if the tip is broken, the leaf-blade stops growing.

Light: They will tolerate lower light conditions, however, they prefer bright indirect light where they will flourish. The striping on the leaves will be more prominent with indirect lighting.  Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves


Water: Water your Spider Plant when the top 50% of the soil is dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer. If you notice browning leaf tips, it can be from chemicals found in water, which cause build-up. If this is the case, allow the water to sit out overnight before watering or use filtered water.


Temperature: They prefer temperatures between 60–80° F.

Light: They do best in bright to moderate, indirect light, but will do fine in low levels of light. They will be happy with florescent lighting as well. It is best to keep them out of direct sunlight.


Water: Be careful not to over water the plant. Only water when the soil is dry, but make sure to fully soak the plant so that water run out of the drainage hole at the bottom. Then remove any standing water in the saucer. Usually, you are watering between every 2-3 weeks, but always check the soil.


Temperature: They prefer temperatures in the 65°F-85°F range. It’s best not to let them get much lower than that: We recommend 60°F as a baseline. Avoid chilly windows and blasts from heating vents.


Extra Info: Make sure to wipe their leaves with a damp cloth or mist them occasionally to keep them dust free

Light: Needs full sun (bright and direct), so keep the ghost plant in a south or east-facing window. Plants that don't receive enough light will become leggy and might experience leaf drop.


Water:Do not over water. The best way of watering is the soak and dry method for this succulent. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. It will only need moderate amounts of water from spring to fall. During the winter months, give it minimal amounts.


Temperature: These plants will do well in hot weather, but their most active growth will occur in the relatively cool periods of spring and fall. They do not like high humidity. 

Light: Silver squill needs bright indirect sun for at least three to four hours per day, but will like partial shade during the hottest part of the day. A sunny east-facing window would be perfect. 


Water: Once they're established, the silver squill requires minimal watering, it is considered to be drought-tolerant, much like succulents. Be sure to allow the top inch of the soil or potting medium to dry out before watering in the warmer months. The plant will be in its rest phase in the winter months, so you should water half as often.


Temperature: Keep the room temperature warm year-round, try not to let it drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also best to keep it from touching cold windows and away from heating and cooling vents.

Euphorbia tirucalli (Firestick)

Image of a Euphorbia tirucalli plant

Christmas Cactus

Image of a Christmas Cactus, which is green segmented leaf-like branches

Echeveria "Big Blue"

Image of a Crassulaceae plant, which has blue green leaves

Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant)

Image of a Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant), which is a small light green succulent

Hoya

Image of a Hoya Plant, with long oval leaves and a vine coming out the top

Hoya kerrii

Image of a Hoya kerrii Plant, which is a heart shaped leaf with yellow edges and green middle

Inch-Worm Plant

Image of a Inch Worm Plant, a tube like cactus

Jade Plant

Image of a Jade plant, which has green tube like branches

Pilea Plant

Image of a Pilea Plant, which has pancake like leaves

Pothos Plant

Image of a Pothos plant, which vine like leaf growth

Sebum Adophi Plant

Image of a Sebum Adolphi, a small green succulent with orange tips

Silver Squill

Image of a silver squill, which has long light green slender leaves with darker green spots

Snake Plant

Image of a Snake Plant, which has dark green broad leaves

Spider Plant

Image of a spider plant, which has skinny long green leaves

ZZ Plant

Image of a ZZ plant, which has sparse oval alternating leaves

Pet Safe Plants

Pet friend plants:

  • Spider plant
  • Christmas Cactus
  • Pilea
  • Hoya

Plants to avoid:

  • Pothos
  • Snake plant 
  • Cactus with spurs or thorns
  • Jade
  • ZZ plant