They Always Use Pots and Planters With Drainage Holes

Always transfer your plants into pots and planters with drainage holes, says Maria Failla, houseplant expert. Without a route for water to drain out of the soil, the plant is likely to be overwatered, causing the roots to die.

They Look at Plants Before Looking at Their Phones Each Morning

Failla strives to look at a plant before looking at a screen every morning. Embedding this as a practice has a three-fold benefit—one, you get to have a calm and still moment with your plants before launching into the day. Two, you’re breaking away from a habit of reaching for a screen first thing after waking. Three, observing your plants daily means you begin to pay more attention to them and become more adept at gauging their needs.

They Inspect for Pests and Wipe the Leaves Once a Week

Check in on your plants at least once a week, Failla says. “Pests like to hang out on the underside of leaves and in between where the leaf meets the stem,” she explains. “Make sure to turn your leaf upside down and take a look. Do you see any critters, any webbing, red dots, or mealy bugs, which make your plant look like it got attacked by a cotton ball?”

In addition to a pest check, Failla suggests gently wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth, damp paper towel, or leaf cleaning microfiber glove to remove dust. Dust obscures the leaf cells from sunlight, interfering with photosynthesis.

They Examine the Soil at Least Once a Week

“When it comes to watering, the plant needs to be watered when the soil starts to dry out,” Failla says. “The best way you can check that is by feeling the soil with your fingers.” Stick your finger about two inches into the soil—does it feel moist or dry? Additionally, you can use its temperature to gauge the moisture level. “If it’s cooler, it’s probably still wet,” Failla says. “If it’s warmer, it’s probably dry. If it’s light brown, it’s probably dry. If it’s dark brown, it’s probably still wet.”

If the plant is in a small- or medium-sized pot, Failla encourages getting into a habit of picking up the pot and feeling its weight after watering. You’ll learn how heavy it should be when it’s fully watered (which you’ll know when the water starts to leak out of the pot’s drainage holes). Every few days, pick up the pots to see how their weight changes as the water is absorbed by the plant (or evaporates). Alternatively, you can buy a moisture meter—a device with a probe that measures the wetness of soil.

They Check the Root System Every Few Months

Every few months, houseplant expert Samantha Adler makes it a point to monitor her plant’s root system. “It should be fairly easy for you to fit your full finger into the soil, and if it’s not, it probably means the roots have grown so much that they’ve basically eliminated all the soil in the pot,” Adler says.

Without much soil, there aren’t any nutrients left for the potted plant, and the roots won’t be able to draw up water from the soil. Consider moving the plant into a bigger pot with fresh soil, Adler suggests. Annually, lift the pot to see if roots are poking through the drainage holes. If they aren’t, top off your plant with an inch or two of new soil, giving it a mix to help combine with the existing soil.

They Fertilize While Watering

“Fertilizing your plants could actually be a part of your regular watering routine,” Adler says. You can get a house plant fertilizer that squirts into your watering can. When you add fertilizer, you’re adding nutrients back into the soil without having to repot your plant every few months.

They Keep Up With Pruning

Prune off stems or leaves that are browning, turning yellow, or wilting, Adler advises. You’re “snipping the unhealthy bits of your plants, which helps the rest of it grow stronger,” she says. If you repeatedly have to prune the same plant, a pest infestation or insufficient water might be the issue.

They Habit Stack Their Plant Care Routine

For all the above habits, Failla encourages tethering them to an existing daily routine or activity. For example, check your plants while waiting for the water to boil for your morning coffee. Alternatively, set aside five minutes before bed to water the plants as a way of winding down and avoiding blue light from screens before sleep. Failla calls a friend every Tuesday to catch up, and uses that time to water and check in on all her plants.

They Recognize When It’s Time to Rehouse

Failla is a proponent of being aware of when you need to give some plants away. If you’re overwhelmed with their care, you may end up neglecting and killing them. Ask yourself: does it still make sense for me to have this many plants that require more focused care? It’s absolutely OK to give your plants away, especially while they’re still in good condition. Donate them to your local nursing home, find a new plant parent through local Facebook groups, offer them to a local public school, or rehouse them with a friend.