Plant care guide
Plant care guide
Caring for your plants means creating a balance between attention and observation. In an urban interior, they bring calm and vitality but require some essential actions. This Verdeia guide helps you understand their needs, adjust your watering, light, and care to enjoy a thriving urban jungle all year round.
Watering: finding the right balance
Watering is the most important gesture... and often the most delicate. Excess water suffocates roots; prolonged lack dries out tissues. So, learn to read the signs your plant sends you.
- Observe the substrate: if it is dry 2 to 3 cm deep, it's time to water. If it sticks to your fingers, wait a bit longer.
- Water deeply to reach the roots rather than just the surface.
- Empty the saucer after a few minutes to avoid water stagnation.
- Use soft water (rain, filtered or settled for 24 h) at room temperature.
- Adjust the frequency according to the season, pot size, and exposure.
Verdeia tip: abundant but spaced watering encourages deep roots and a stronger plant.
Light: an essential factor
Light guides growth, color, and flowering. Each plant has its preferences: suitable exposure prevents leaf burn or yellowing.
- Shade: ferns, aspidistra, calatheas – perfect for rooms with soft or filtered light.
- Partial shade: monstera, pothos, philodendron – enjoy indirect light or an east/west-facing windowsill.
- Bright light: cacti, succulents, citrus – love full sun, a veranda or a south-facing balcony.
Turn your plants a quarter turn each week to encourage even growth and prevent them from leaning toward the light.
Repotting and suitable substrates
Repotting restores vigor to the plant. It renews nutrients and promotes better root respiration.
- When to repot: every 12 to 24 months, preferably in spring, the growth resumption period.
- Choose the right pot: 2 to 3 cm wider, with holes at the bottom for drainage.
- Substrate: universal mix for most plants, or specific for cacti, orchids, citrus, etc.
- Drainage: add a layer of clay pellets or gravel to avoid excess moisture.
- Post-repotting watering: moderate to avoid compacting the freshly installed substrate.
Pruning, cleaning, and regular maintenance
Regular maintenance keeps foliage healthy and the plant harmonious. These small actions stimulate growth and strengthen vitality.
- Remove damaged, yellow, or dry leaves to encourage new shoots.
- Pinch some stems to encourage branching and a denser habit.
- Clean the leaves with a damp cloth or under a light shower to remove dust.
- Regularly inspect the underside of leaves to detect possible pests.
- Aerate the space around your plants to avoid stagnant humidity.
Feed and stimulate growth
Potted plants quickly deplete the nutrients in the substrate. Regular fertilizer application helps support their development and flowering.
- Liquid fertilizer: every 2 to 3 weeks from March to September, during the growth period.
- Rest period: in autumn and winter, space out or stop applications to avoid excess mineral salts.
- Types of fertilizer: universal, special for flowering, green or succulent plants depending on your varieties.
- Misting: useful for tropical plants, it increases humidity and cleans the leaves.
Common mistakes to avoid
Some mistakes seem harmless but can quickly weaken a plant. Here are the most common:
- Watering systematically without observing the soil.
- Leaving stagnant water in the saucer.
- Using hard or cold water directly from the tap.
- Suddenly moving a plant used to stable light.
- Forgetting to dust the leaves, which blocks photosynthesis.
Verdeia tip: consistency is key. Better moderate but regular care than occasional intensive care.
Mini maintenance calendar
- Spring: repotting, fertilizer, formative pruning, resumption of watering.
- Summer: increased humidity monitoring, misting, and protection against excessive heat.
- Autumn: slow down watering, reduce nutrient supply, remove dead leaves.
- Winter: maximum light, light and spaced watering, no fertilization.
Quick diagnosis
Recognizing the signs of a plant in distress allows you to act quickly and save it.
- Soft leaves + wet soil: excess water → let dry and check drainage.
- Dry or brown edges: lack of water or air too dry → mist and adjust watering.
- Elongated and fragile stems: lack of light → move the plant closer to a window.
- Sticky spots or white marks: pests → isolate, clean, and treat quickly.
- Yellowed leaves: excess moisture or deficiency → adjust watering and add fertilizer.
A word from Verdeia
Caring for your plants is cultivating a form of serenity. Every gesture, from simple watering to cleaning the foliage, is an invitation to slow down. With a little attention and a caring routine, your interior becomes a living, calming, and inspiring ecosystem.
Whether you live in a small apartment, a bright loft, or enjoy an urban terrace, your indoor jungle can grow and thrive at your own pace.
FAQ — Plant Care
How often should I water my plants?
Each plant has its own rhythm. Generally, weekly watering is enough for green plants. Tropicals like constant humidity, while succulents prefer to dry out between waterings. The finger test remains the best method to know when to water.
What is the best water for my plants?
Rainwater is ideal. Tap water is suitable if left to stand for 24 hours. For sensitive plants, prefer filtered or low-mineral water to avoid lime buildup.
When should I repot?
Repot in spring, when roots come out of the pot or growth slows down. A slightly larger pot and fresh substrate give the plant new energy.
Should all plants be misted?
No. Tropical plants love a humid atmosphere, while cacti, succulents, and aromatics do not need it. Mist in the morning, without excess, away from direct sunlight.
How to prevent pests?
Regularly inspect the leaves. Maintain good ventilation and clean off dust. In case of infestation, isolate the plant and clean the leaves with a mild solution of water and black soap.
How to care for my plants during my vacation?
Gather them in a bright but shaded place, water well before you leave, and use simple systems like water wicks, inverted bottles, or self-watering pots. For long trips, ask a friend or neighbor for help.
What to do if my plant seems to be dying?
Analyze the three essential factors: water, light, substrate. Check the roots, remove damaged parts, and place the plant in a stable environment. Sometimes, a few adjustments are enough to restart its growth.
Need a little help getting started? Discover our Easy Care Plants and Accessories & Plant Decor collections to make your life easier and beautify your space.

