Plant Care
Complete Plant Care Guide: Your Green Thumb Success Manual
Your go-to resource for keeping houseplants and garden favorites thriving year-round
Been there, done that with plants that looked gorgeous at the nursery but somehow turned into expensive compost? You're not alone. This straightforward guide cuts through the confusion with real-world advice that works in your actual home.
🌱 New to Plant Care? Start Here!
Get everything you need to succeed with our Plant Care Kit - includes our organic Plant Juice, Bloom Juice, and Plant Perfection for comprehensive plant care.
Understanding Your Plant's Basic Needs
Before we dive into specific plants, every plant needs these four things in different amounts:
- Water - More plants die from too much love (overwatering) than neglect
- Light - "Bright indirect" means near a window, not in direct sun
- Soil - Good drainage beats expensive potting mix every time
- Temperature - Most houseplants are happy where you're comfortable
🌿 Boost Your Plant Care Success
For the best results, we recommend using Plant Juice - our organic liquid fertilizer that provides over 250 species of beneficial bacteria and fungi to help your plants thrive. Learn more about our feeding schedule for optimal results.
A Plants
Air Plant
The plants that live on air... almost
These little guys are perfect if you've got a track record of loving plants to death.
Care Basics:
- Watering: Water about once a month, water through completely until water drains out the bottom. Water when moisture meter reads 1 or less.
- Soil: Very well-draining soil.
- Sunlight: Bright indirect. Direct sun will burn or kill the plants. Best near a south or west facing window.
- Temperature: 55-90 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Air Plants:
Use Plant Juice diluted to quarter strength monthly. Mix 1 tsp per gallon for air plants to provide gentle, organic nutrition without overwhelming these sensitive plants.
Anthurium
The tropical beauty that actually blooms indoors
Care Basics:
- Watering: Let 1 inch of soil dry before watering or water when moisture meter reads 7 or less. Does not like to dry out completely.
- Soil: Standard potting mix with extra moss or coir since they do like to stay moist.
- Sunlight: Medium-bright indirect sunlight. Direct sun will burn the leaves.
- Temperature: 65-80 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Anthuriums:
Feed with Plant Juice every 2 weeks during growing season, then switch to Bloom Juice every 6 weeks to encourage those spectacular flowers. Add Worm Castings to potting mix for optimal drainage and nutrition.
Aloe Vera/Agave
Your first-aid kit that happens to be gorgeous
Care Basics:
- Watering: Water about once a month, water through completely until water drains out the bottom. Water when moisture meter reads 1 or less.
- Soil: Very well-draining soil.
- Sunlight: Bright indirect. Direct sun will burn or kill the plants. Best near a south or west facing window.
- Temperature: 55-90 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Aloe/Agave:
Use Plant Juice at half strength once monthly during growing season. These drought-adapted plants prefer less frequent feeding. Consider our Ancient Soil for repotting - its excellent drainage is perfect for succulents.
African Violet
The cottage garden classic that loves consistency
Care Basics:
- Watering: Enjoy bottom watering, allow plant to sit for no more than 30 min to absorb its water needs. Water when moisture meter reads 3 or less. Distilled or dechlorinated water is preferred.
- Soil: Well-draining, airy, slightly acidic soil.
- Sunlight: At least 12 hours of medium-bright indirect sunlight. South or east facing window is ideal.
- Temperature: 65-80 degrees. 70 degrees is ideal.
Elm Dirt Recommendation for African Violets:
African violets are sensitive to water quality, so use Plant Juice with distilled water. Feed every 2 weeks with Plant Juice, then switch to Bloom Juice every 6 weeks for continuous flowering. Check out our detailed African Violet care guide.
Alocasia
Care Basics:
- Watering: Water when the top 2 inches of soil has dried out or moisture meter reads 6 or less. Keep the soil moist but never soggy allowing the plant to dry out a bit in between watering.
- Soil: Well-draining, loose and nutrient rich potting mix.
- Sunlight: Medium-bright indirect sunlight. Near a south or east facing window is ideal. Direct sun will burn the foliage.
- Temperature: 65-80 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Alocasia:
These tropical beauties love consistent nutrition. Use Plant Juice every 2 weeks during growing season. Add Worm Castings to your potting mix for the loose, nutrient-rich soil these plants crave.
B Plants
Begonias
Colorful, easy-going, and surprisingly tough
Care Basics:
- Watering: Soil likes to be consistently moist, water when top inch of soil is dry. Water when moisture meter reads 6 or less.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix.
- Sunlight: Bright indirect light. Morning sun when placed outdoors.
- Temperature: 65-75 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Begonias:
Feed with Plant Juice every 2 weeks, then switch to Bloom Juice every 6 weeks for spectacular flowers. These flowering plants especially benefit from our targeted bloom nutrition.
Boston Ferns
The hanging basket stars that purify your air
Care Basics:
- Watering: Ferns need to have consistently moist soil. Water when soil is at all dry to touch. Water when moisture meter reads 7 or less.
- Soil: Moisture retaining potting mix with good drainage.
- Sunlight: Medium-bright indirect light. Keep in the shade if placing outdoors.
- Temperature: 65-75 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Boston Ferns:
Ferns love consistent moisture and nutrition. Use Plant Juice every 2 weeks during growing season. Mix Worm Castings into your potting mix for moisture retention and gentle, steady nutrition.
C Plants
Cacti
Care Basics:
- Watering: Allow soil to dry out completely between watering. Check every 2 weeks, water less frequently in the winter. Water when moisture meter reads 1 or less.
- Soil: Very fast well-draining soil. Any cacti/succulent mix will work.
- Sunlight: Very bright indirect. South facing window is ideal. If cacti are turning yellow or brown it needs less direct sunlight.
- Temperature: 75-95 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Cacti:
Use Plant Juice at quarter strength once monthly during growing season only. Cacti prefer minimal feeding. Our Ancient Soil provides excellent drainage perfect for cacti and succulents.
D Plants
Dieffenbachia/Dumb Cane
Care Basics:
- Watering: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. If leaves are droopy it is time to water. Water when moisture meter reads 3 or less.
- Soil: Rich well-draining soil. A mix higher in peat moss is ideal.
- Sunlight: Medium indirect light.
- Temperature: 50-90 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Dieffenbachia:
These foliage plants thrive with Plant Juice every 2 weeks during growing season. The rich nutrition helps maintain those beautiful variegated leaves. Mix Worm Castings into potting mix for the rich, well-draining soil they prefer.
Dracaena
Care Basics:
- Watering: Allow the top 1 inch of water to dry out before watering. Water plant all the way through till water drains out of the bottom. Keep soil slightly moist never soggy. Water when moisture meter reads 7 or less.
- Soil: Standard potting mix with good drainage and moisture retention.
- Sunlight: Medium-bright indirect sunlight. Direct sun will burn the leaves.
- Temperature: 65-78 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Dracaena:
Dracaenas are excellent beginner plants that respond well to Plant Juice every 2 weeks. Their slow growth means they don't need heavy feeding, making our gentle organic nutrition perfect for them.
E Plants
Earth Star
Care Basics:
- Watering: Do not water this plant in the center rosette, it can rot the plant. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering. The soil should stay lightly moist but never soggy.
- Soil: Porous moist soil. Peat moss and sand are good additives to achieve moist good draining soil.
- Sunlight: Medium bright indirect light, direct will burn the leaves.
- Temperature: 50-90 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Earth Star:
These delicate bromeliads prefer gentle nutrition. Use Plant Juice at half strength monthly. Add Worm Castings to create the porous, moist soil they need.
F Plants
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Care Basics:
- Watering: Check every 1-2 weeks, wait until top 2 inches of soil has dried out. These plants enjoy a thorough watering with dry spells in between like they receive in their natural environment. Water when moisture meter reads 4 or less.
- Soil: Well-draining soil high in organic matter. Peat based soil with perlite works great.
- Sunlight: Bright indirect sunlight. It does great near a south facing window or in an east facing window.
- Temperature: 60-80 degrees
Elm Dirt Recommendation for Fiddle Leaf Fig:
FLF's thrive with consistent nutrition. Use Plant Juice every 2 weeks during growing season. Our Ancient Soil provides the perfect well-draining, organic-rich base. Read our complete Fiddle Leaf Fig care guide.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
🟡 Yellowing Leaves
- Most common cause: Overwatering
- Solution: Check moisture meter, improve drainage, reduce watering frequency
🟤 Brown Leaf Tips
- Most common causes: Low humidity, water quality, or fertilizer burn
- Solution: Increase humidity, switch to distilled water, reduce fertilizing
😔 Drooping Plants
- Could be: Underwatering, overwatering, or temperature shock
- Solution: Check soil moisture first, then consider recent changes in location or temperature
📏 Leggy Growth
- Cause: Not enough light
- Solution: Move closer to window or add grow lights
🌿 Elm Dirt Problem-Solving Solutions
Many plant problems stem from poor nutrition or stressed roots. Our Plant Juice contains beneficial microbes that help plants resist stress and disease. For comprehensive troubleshooting, check out our plant diagnostics guide and FAQ troubleshooting page.
Seasonal Care Adjustments
🌱 Spring & Summer (Growing Season)
- Water more frequently as plants actively grow
- This is the time to fertilize (if you choose to)
- Perfect season for repotting
🍂 Fall & Winter (Rest Period)
- Reduce watering frequency
- Stop fertilizing
- Don't expect much new growth - this is normal
🌿 Elm Dirt Seasonal Feeding Schedule
Spring/Summer: Use Plant Juice every 2 weeks, Bloom Juice every 6 weeks for flowering plants.
Fall/Winter: Reduce to Plant Juice once monthly or stop feeding completely in colder months. Read our complete seasonal feeding guide and fall preparation tips.
Ready to Start Your Plant Journey?
Plant care doesn't have to be complicated. Start with one or two easy plants, get comfortable with their needs, then expand your collection.
1. Pick 1-2 plants from this guide that match your lifestyle
2. Get a moisture meter (seriously, game-changer)
3. Find a good spot with appropriate light
4. Start simple and build confidence
Remember: Every plant parent has killed plants. It's part of the learning process. The goal isn't perfection - it's enjoying the process and creating a greener, more beautiful space.
🌿 Complete Plant Care Solutions from Elm Dirt
For Beginners:
Plant Care Kit Starter KitIndividual Products:
Plant Juice - All-Purpose Bloom Juice - For Flowers Ancient Soil - Premium Mix Worm CastingsSpecialized Care:
Aroid Mix Orchid Bark Seedling MixLearn More:
Check out our comprehensive guides: