06/09/2026
Things I completely normalised as a houseplant person… but really shouldn’t have
Save this one because I wish someone had told me these sooner 👇
1. Taking plant-care advice literally
Back in 2016 when I first started collecting houseplants I thought there was a “right” way to care for plants. And that is because I took plant care advice from influencers LITERALLY:
Water on a schedule.
Bottom-water everything.
Use this soil mix.
Never let that happen.
But the truth is… what works for one person, plant or space might not work for another.
Your light levels, temperature, humidity, pots, soil, routine and even how much time you have to care for your plants all make a difference.
There isn't always a right or wrong way - sometimes you just need to find what works for you and your plants. 🌱
Take online plant-care advice with a pinch of salt and learn what works best for you.
2. Assuming “shade-loving” means “low-light”
This one completely changed how I place my plants.
A lot of plants described as shade tolerant will actually grow much better in bright, indirect light. But of course it'll grow better if it can actually photosynthesise.
Think:
→ bright room
→ away from harsh/direct sun
→ not shoved into the darkest corner because the label said “shade” 😂
And finally…
3. Being sucked into the rare plant trend
Okay, technically this is a bonus because apparently I have too many feelings about plants 😂
Fortunately I didn't have hundreds of £££ to get too sucked into the rare houseplant trends of 2019/2020, but the pull was REAL!
Now I basically Marie Kondo my collection:
Does this plant actually bring me joy?
If I don't love growing it, I don't need to keep it, regardless of how rare it is.
🌿 Plant collecting > plant hoarding.
SAVE this for the next time you’re tempted to follow a plant-care “rule” without questioning whether it actually works for you.
And tell me: what houseplant “rule” did you believe for YEARS before realising there’s actually more than one way to do it? 👇
