Plant care guide

Watering is the most important — and often the most delicate — action. Too much water suffocates the roots; prolonged lack dries out the tissues. The challenge is to learn to read the signals your plant sends you.

• Test the substrate: if it is dry 2 to 3 cm deep, it’s time to water; if moist, wait a little longer.
• Water deeply to reach the roots rather than just the surface.
• Empty the saucer after a few minutes to avoid water stagnation.
• Prefer soft water at room temperature.
• Adjust the frequency according to the season, pot size, and exposure.

Light guides growth, color, and flowering. Each plant has its preferences, and suitable exposure prevents burns or yellowing of the foliage.

• 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: cactus and succulents, citrus — love full sun or a south-facing veranda.

Turn your plants a quarter turn each week to encourage even growth.

Tropical plants — calatheas, alocasias, ferns — thrive in a humid atmosphere. In our heated and dry interiors, a few simple actions make a difference.

• Mist the foliage in the morning, away from direct sun, for tropical species.
• Group your plants: together they create a more humid microclimate.
• Avoid cold drafts and locations near a radiator.
• Temperature: most indoor plants thrive between 15 and 25 °C.

Repotting restores vigor by renewing nutrients and promoting root respiration. Our complete repotting guide details every step.

• When to repot: every 12 to 24 months, preferably in spring when growth resumes.
• Choose the right pot: 2 to 3 cm wider, with drainage holes at the bottom. Find all our tips for choosing the right pot.
• Substrate: universal mix for most plants, or specific for cacti, orchids, and citrus.
• Drainage: add a layer of clay balls to prevent excess moisture.
• Watering after repotting: moderate in the first few days to avoid compacting the fresh substrate.

Potted plants quickly deplete the nutrients in the substrate. Regular fertilizer application supports their development and flowering — discover our complete guide on nutrition.

• Liquid fertilizer: every 2 to 3 weeks, from March to September.
• Rest period: in autumn and winter, space out or stop applications to avoid excess mineral salts.
• Type of fertilizer: universal for green plants, specific for flowering or succulent plants.

These small regular actions stimulate growth and strengthen the vitality of your plants.

• Remove damaged, yellow, or dry leaves to encourage new growth.
• Pinch some stems to encourage branching and a denser shape.
• Clean leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and optimize photosynthesis.
• Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves to detect possible pests.
• Air out the space around your plants to avoid stagnant humidity.

Regular monitoring allows intervention before problems spread. Our complete diagnostic guide helps you identify each symptom.

• Scale insects (white cottony marks): clean with a cotton swab soaked in 70° alcohol.
• Red spider mites (dull leaves, fine webs): increase humidity, rinse the foliage.
• Aphids (clusters on young shoots): isolate the plant, treat with diluted black soap.
• Fungi (brown spots, mold): reduce watering, improve ventilation.

Some mistakes seem harmless but can quickly weaken a plant. Find the full list in our article 10 common mistakes to avoid.

• Watering systematically without testing the substrate first.
• Leaving stagnant water in the saucer.
• Using water that is too hard or cold directly from the tap.
• Suddenly moving a plant used to stable light.
• Neglecting leaf cleaning, which blocks photosynthesis.
• Fertilize during the winter rest period.

Each plant has its own rhythm: weekly watering suits green plants, tropical ones appreciate more constant humidity, and succulents prefer to dry out between waterings. The finger test remains the most reliable method.

Repot in spring, when roots come out of the pot or growth slows noticeably. A slightly larger pot and fresh substrate quickly restore the plant’s energy.

No. Tropical plants love a humid atmosphere, while cacti, succulents, and aromatic plants do not need it. Mist in the morning, away from direct sun.

Group them in a bright but shaded spot, water well before leaving, and use simple systems like water wicks or inverted bottles. For long absences, entrust them to a friend.

Cutting is the easiest technique: take a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, and place it in water or directly in moist substrate. Our complete cutting guide details each method.