Plant Care

Every plant we ship is a young starter, packed by hand in Florida. Starters are tougher than they look, but the first couple of weeks in a new home are the trickiest. Start with the arrival tips below, then find your plant in the list for its everyday care.

How we pack your plant: each pot is wrapped in plastic over the top of the soil to keep it moist, then rolled in brown packing paper. We tape the paper to the box only around the pot, never over the leaves or stems, so your plant doesn't bounce around on the way to you.

Open the box right away and carefully cut the tape where it holds the wrapped pot to the box.
Gently unroll the brown paper. Hold the pot, not the leaves.
Remove the plastic wrap from around the pot and soil so the plant can breathe and the soil can dry out normally.
Set it in a saucer or on a tray in its new spot and give it a gentle look over. If any soil shifted in transit, just press it back around the stem.

Then, for the first couple of weeks:

Don't panic over a droopy leaf or two. Shipping is stressful. A little drooping, a bent stem or a yellow leaf in the first week is normal.
Check the soil before you water. We water before shipping and the plastic wrap holds that moisture in, so most plants arrive with damp soil. Push a finger about an inch in; only water if it feels dry.
Bright, indirect light to start. Near a window but out of hot direct sun is right for almost every plant we sell. Even sun lovers need a few days to adjust.
Wait 1–2 weeks before repotting. Let it settle in first. When you do repot, go up just one pot size and use a pot with a drainage hole.
Too much water kills more starters than anything else. When in doubt, wait a day.

Find your plant

Plants are grouped by how they like to be cared for. "Pet-safe" means non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA. Even pet-safe plants can upset a stomach if eaten, so it's best to keep all plants out of reach of curious pets and kids.

Ferns love humidity and soil that stays lightly moist. Never let them dry out completely, and keep them out of direct sun.

Bird's Nest Fern

Light: Medium to bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch is dry; water the soil, not the center "nest"
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Water sitting in the center rosette can cause rot.

Button Fern

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Let the top inch dry out between waterings. It's more drought-tolerant than most ferns.
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Unlike other ferns, it hates soggy soil.

Heart Fern

Light: Medium, indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Needs high humidity. A terrarium, a bathroom or a pebble tray works great.

Holly Fern

Light: Low to medium, indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: One of the toughest ferns, and fine in lower light.

Lemon Button Fern

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Crispy tips mean the air is too dry. Mist it or group it with other plants.

Silver Ribbon Fern

Light: Medium to bright, indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Trim brown fronds at the base to keep it full.

Asparagus Fern

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Pets: Toxic to pets. Not a true fern; its berries and leaves can cause stomach upset.
Tip: Dropping needles usually means it's too dry.

Some of the easiest houseplants there are, and they'll forgive a missed watering.

Green Spider Plant, Variegated Spider Plant and Curly Variegated Spider Plant ('Bonnie')

Light: Bright, indirect; they tolerate lower light
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Brown tips are usually from tap water. Rainwater or filtered water helps. Once mature, they grow baby "spiderettes" you can root for new plants.

Great for shelves and hanging pots. Most of these can be trimmed and the cuttings rooted in water.

Golden Pothos

Light: Low to bright, indirect
Water: When the top 1–2 inches are dry
Pets: Toxic to pets
Tip: Nearly unkillable. Brighter light gives more golden variegation.

Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Vine)

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Toxic to pets
Tip: Loves humidity and something to climb. Its signature holes get bigger as it matures.

Pink Syngonium (Arrowhead Vine)

Light: Bright, indirect keeps the pink color
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Toxic to pets
Tip: Too little light and new leaves come in greener.

Purple Tradescantia (Zebrina)

Light: Bright, indirect for the best purple and silver stripes
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Can cause skin irritation in pets; keep out of reach
Tip: Pinch the tips to keep it bushy. Cuttings root in water in about a week.

String of Turtles

Light: Bright, indirect; no harsh sun
Water: When the soil is almost completely dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Its little leaves store water, so overwatering is the main risk. Wrinkled leaves mean it's thirsty.

Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis)

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: It's a jungle cactus, not a desert cactus, so it likes more water and less sun than you'd expect.

Let these dry out between waterings, and give them the most light you've got.

Pink Christmas Cactus

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: To get it to bloom, give it cooler nights and about 12–14 hours of darkness for several weeks in the fall. Don't move it once buds form, or they may drop.

Mother of Thousands

Light: Bright; can handle some direct sun once adjusted
Water: When the soil is completely dry
Pets: Toxic to pets and people if eaten
Tip: The tiny plantlets on its leaf edges fall off and root anywhere, so pot them up or keep it away from other pots.

Goat's Ear Plant (Donkey Ear Kalanchoe)

Light: Bright; some direct sun once adjusted
Water: When the soil is completely dry
Pets: Toxic to pets
Tip: Also grows baby plantlets along its leaf edges that you can root.

Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli)

Light: Bright to full sun once adjusted
Water: When the soil is completely dry; water sparingly in winter
Pets: Toxic to pets and people
Tip: The milky sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves when handling or trimming it, and wash your hands after.

These like warmth, steady moisture and some humidity. Keep them away from cold drafts and air vents.

Calathea 'Rattlesnake' and Calathea 'White Star'

Light: Medium, indirect; direct sun fades and scorches the leaves
Water: Keep lightly moist; use filtered or rainwater if you can
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Their leaves fold up at night, which is normal. Curling or crispy edges mean it's too dry or the air is too dry.

White Fittonia and Pink Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

Light: Medium, indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Fittonias are dramatic. They collapse when thirsty and perk right back up within hours of watering. Great in terrariums.

Peperomia 'Red Canyon'

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the soil is mostly dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Thick leaves hold water, so err on the dry side.

Pilea Aluminum Plant

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Pinch back the tips to keep it compact instead of leggy.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch or two is dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: Rotate it weekly so it grows straight. It makes baby plants you can share with friends.

China Doll Plant

Light: Bright, indirect
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Pet-safe
Tip: It dislikes being moved. Pick a spot and leave it there, or it may drop leaves.

Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeeana)

Light: Bright; some direct morning sun helps it bloom
Water: When the top inch is dry
Pets: Generally considered non-toxic
Tip: Pinch it back to keep it bushy. Hummingbirds love it outdoors.

Variegated Rubber Plant

Light: Bright, indirect for the best pink and cream color
Water: When the top 1–2 inches are dry
Pets: Toxic to pets
Tip: Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth now and then to keep them glossy. Its sap can irritate skin.

Email us at therootdudes@gmail.com or send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest (@therootdudes everywhere). We're always happy to talk plants.