Reference
Reference
This page explains, in plain words, the terms that keep coming up in houseplant care advice. The definitions are short and make no claim to botanical precision. Their job is to help you read species descriptions, instructions on packaging and tips from experienced growers with confidence.
Roots hide in the pot where you cannot see them. But the leaves almost always tell you what is happening below, if you know how to read them.
Care
- Watering when the soil is dry
- Watering according to the state of the soil rather than a schedule: before watering, you test the top layer with your finger and reach for the watering can once it has dried, unless your species needs something different.
- Drainage
- Anything that helps excess water leave the pot: a hole in the bottom and, for some species, a layer of coarse material at the base. Without a way out, the roots end up sitting in stagnant water.
- Feeding
- Adding nutrients for a plant that has lived in the same potting mix for a long time. It is given during the growing period and strictly according to the product instructions, and usually not right after repotting.
- Pruning
- Removing dry, damaged or overly leggy shoots with a clean tool. It helps the plant keep a tidy shape and put its energy into the healthy parts.
- Cutting
- A piece of a shoot, or a leaf, cut off so that it can grow into a new plant. Cuttings are rooted in water or in damp potting mix, and different species take to this in different ways.
Light
- Bright indirect light
- Bright light without direct sunbeams, for example behind a sheer curtain or next to a window the sun does not shine straight into. It suits many popular houseplants.
- Direct sun
- Rays that fall on the leaves with nothing in the way. Some species love it, while it scorches others, leaving pale or brown patches.
- North-facing window
- A window the sun barely reaches. There is less light here, but it is even, so the spot suits shade-tolerant species.
Health
- Root rot
- Damage to the roots that most often develops in soil that is constantly wet. The roots darken and turn soft, and the plant wilts even though the soil is damp.
- Quarantine
- Keeping a new plant apart from the others for a while, so you can spot pests in time and stop them moving on to neighbouring pots.
- Pests
- Tiny insects and mites that feed on a plant’s sap. They give themselves away with a sticky film, webbing, spots or little flies. Once you spot them, isolate the plant straight away.
Where these words come in handy
- Guides
A step-by-step guide to repotting a houseplant gently, plus our catalogue of articles.
- Questions
Short answers about watering, light and placement, pests, pets and children.
- Sections
Four topics: choosing a spot, watering and light, repotting and potting mix, and plant health.
- Collections
Reading paths: a dark room and a north-facing window, a home with a cat, care before a holiday.
Read next
Sources
- Houseplant care handbooks
- Veterinary home safety leaflets
Information is current as of the date this page was prepared. Houseplants differ widely in what they need from light, water and potting mix, so check the requirements of your own species before you change how you care for it.