# How To Grow Houseplants

> Care guides for the houseplants people actually own: snake plant, pothos, peace lily, monstera, ZZ and more. Light, water, propagation, problems and pet safety, sourced and explained simply.

## Plant groups

- [Foliage plants](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/): Monstera, rubber plant, fiddle leaf fig, ZZ, snake plant, peace lily and calathea.
- [Trailing plants](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/): Pothos, spider plant, philodendron and string of pearls.
- [Indoor succulents](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/succulents/): Aloe vera, jade plant and haworthia on a sunny sill.

## More

- [About Linden Shaw and How To Grow Houseplants](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/about/): Who writes How To Grow Houseplants: an editorial pen name, a small independent publisher, and a promise to be plain about what we know and what we don’t.
- [Bright Indirect Light Plants: What Sources Say for 10](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/bright-indirect-light-plants/): Bright indirect light plants: which of 10 houseplants sources place in bright indirect light, what it means in a home, and where sources disagree on sun.
- [Contact](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/contact/): How to reach the How To Grow Houseplants editorial team about corrections, partnerships or general questions.
- [Corrections](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/corrections/): How to report an error in a How To Grow Houseplants guide, and how we handle and record corrections.
- [Direct Sun Houseplants: What Sources Allow for 10](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/direct-sun-plants/): Direct sun houseplants: only aloe vera is clearly placed in full sun by sources. See which of 10 plants are contested, which to keep out of sun, and why.
- [Easy Houseplants: What Makes a Plant Forgiving](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/easy-houseplants/): Easy houseplants from our list of 10: which ones sources call forgiving, drought tolerant or low light tolerant, which are fussier, and where the sources stop.
- [Editorial policy](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/editorial-policy/): How How To Grow Houseplants decides what to publish, what it will not cover, how guides are reviewed and where commercial interests stop.
- [Fungus Gnats: How to Identify and Get Rid of Them](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/fungus-gnats/): Fungus gnats on houseplants: how to identify them, why they appear and how to get rid of them, from drying the soil to Bti, per UC IPM and 6 universities.
- [How Often to Water Houseplants: A Rule for 10 Plants](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/how-often-to-water-houseplants/): How often to water houseplants: the watering rule for snake plant, ZZ, pothos, peace lily, aloe and 5 more, where sources disagree, and signs of overwatering.
- [How to Fertilize Houseplants: Timing and Strength for 10](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/how-to-fertilize-houseplants/): How to fertilize houseplants: feeding frequency, strength and season for snake plant, peace lily, pothos, ZZ, monstera and more, where sources conflict.
- [How we research](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/how-we-research/): How each care guide is built: which sources we use, how we handle figures, and what we do when sources disagree.
- [Humidity for Houseplants: What 10 Common Plants Need](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/humidity-houseplants/): Humidity for houseplants: what sources say snake plant, pothos, calathea, monstera and 6 more need, signs of low humidity, and how to raise it, with quotes.
- [Low Light Indoor Plants: Which Ones Sources Say Cope](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/low-light-plants/): Low light indoor plants: which of 10 common houseplants our extension sources say tolerate low light or shade, and which need brighter light, with quotes.
- [Medium Light Indoor Plants: What Sources Say for 10](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/medium-light-plants/): Medium light indoor plants: which of 10 houseplants our extension sources place in medium light, what it means in a home, and where the sources disagree.
- [Pet Safe Houseplants: ASPCA Status of 10 Common Plants](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/pet-safe-houseplants/): Pet safe houseplants: the exact ASPCA and extension toxicity wording for snake plant, spider plant, calathea, pothos and 6 more, and where sources conflict.
- [Privacy policy](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/privacy/): What data How To Grow Houseplants collects, why, and how to contact us about your information.
- [Repotting Houseplants: When, How and What to Use](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/guides/repotting-houseplants/): Repotting houseplants: when sources say to repot snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, aloe, pothos and more, which pot size and mix, and where they disagree.
- [Work with us](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/work-with-us/): Partnering with How To Grow Houseplants: what we accept, what we don’t, and how sponsored content is labelled.

## Indoor succulents

- [Aloe Vera Plant Care: Light, Water, Soil and Pups](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/succulents/aloe-vera/): Aloe vera plant care indoors: light, watering, soil, repotting and pups, with where NC State, Penn State and UF/IFAS differ, plus the ASPCA pet toxicity note.
- [Aloe Vera Repotting: When, Pot Size and Soil Mix](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/succulents/aloe-vera/in-containers/): Aloe vera repotting: how often to do it, which pot and soil mix to use, and what Penn State, UF/IFAS and NC State Extension say about drainage and root rot.
- [How to Propagate Aloe Vera: Pups, Offsets and Division](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/succulents/aloe-vera/from-cuttings/): How to propagate aloe vera from pups or offsets and by division: what Penn State and NC State Extension say, when to do it and what the sources do not cover.
- [Is Aloe Vera Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What ASPCA Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/succulents/aloe-vera/pet-safety/): Is aloe vera toxic to cats and dogs? The ASPCA lists it as toxic to both, names saponins and anthraquinones and lists signs to watch for. See what to do.

## Foliage plants

- [Calathea Care: How to Grow Prayer Plants Indoors](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/calathea/): Calathea care for prayer plants (Goeppertia): light, watering, humidity, tap water and pests, with NC State figures by species and the ASPCA pet rating.
- [Calathea Light Requirements: What NC State Says by Species](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/calathea/indoors/): Calathea light requirements indoors: NC State says bright indirect light or partial shade, and direct sun burns leaves. Four species compared, plus spot tips.
- [Fiddle Leaf Fig Care: Light, Water, Soil and Pets](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/fiddle-leaf-fig/): Fiddle leaf fig care (Ficus lyrata): light, watering, soil, repotting and problems, with what NC State, UF/IFAS and Penn State say, plus the ASPCA pet wording.
- [Fiddle Leaf Fig Light Requirements: Three Sources Compared](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/fiddle-leaf-fig/indoors/): Fiddle leaf fig light requirements indoors: NC State says bright indirect light, UF/IFAS says full sun to partial shade, Texas A&M says medium light. Compared.
- [Fiddle Leaf Fig Repotting, Soil and Pots: What Is Sourced](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/fiddle-leaf-fig/in-containers/): Fiddle leaf fig repotting and containers: UF/IFAS says cut circling roots, NC State names well-drained acidic soil, and one Penn State columnist says potbound.
- [How to Propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig: What the Sources Say](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/fiddle-leaf-fig/from-cuttings/): How to propagate a fiddle leaf fig: UF/IFAS says layering and cuttings, Texas A&M says air layering and cuttings. What is sourced, and what is missing.
- [How to Propagate a Rubber Plant: What the Sources Say](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/rubber-plant/from-cuttings/): How to propagate a rubber plant: NC State lists layering, root cuttings and seed, Texas A&M lists air layering and cuttings. What is and is not sourced.
- [How to Propagate a Snake Plant: Division and Leaf Cuttings](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/snake-plant/from-cuttings/): How to propagate a snake plant by division or leaf cuttings: what Penn State and UGA Extension say, when to do it, and what the sources do not cover.
- [How to Propagate a ZZ Plant: Division and Leaf Cuttings](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/zz-plant/from-cuttings/): How to propagate a ZZ plant: Illinois Extension says division is the fastest method, and leaf cuttings with the petiole intact also work. What each source says.
- [How to Propagate Calathea: Divide the Rhizomes, Not Cuttings](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/calathea/from-cuttings/): How to propagate calathea: NC State says division of the rhizomatous roots is the best method. Our sources give no stem or leaf cutting method. What is sourced.
- [How to Propagate Monstera: Stem Cuttings and Air Layering](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/monstera/from-cuttings/): How to propagate monstera: Wisconsin says cut the tip just below an aerial root and pot it, Penn State says air layering or stem cuttings. What each gives.
- [Is a ZZ Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What Sources Say](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/zz-plant/pet-safety/): Is a ZZ plant toxic to cats and dogs? NC State says medium toxicity, Clemson says not pet safe, and there is no ASPCA species page. Exact wording, safe steps.
- [Is Calathea Toxic to Cats and Dogs? The ASPCA Rating](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/calathea/pet-safety/): Is calathea toxic to cats and dogs? The ASPCA lists Calathea spp. as non-toxic to both, and NC State agrees for one species. Exact wording, caveats, safe steps.
- [Is Monstera Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What ASPCA Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/monstera/pet-safety/): Is monstera toxic to cats and dogs? The ASPCA lists Monstera deliciosa as toxic to both, with insoluble calcium oxalates. Exact wording, signs and safe steps.
- [Is Peace Lily Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What ASPCA Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/peace-lily/pet-safety/): Is a peace lily toxic to cats and dogs? The ASPCA lists it as toxic to both and names calcium oxalate crystals. See its wording and what to do.
- [Is Snake Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What ASPCA Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/snake-plant/pet-safety/): Is a snake plant toxic to cats and dogs? The ASPCA lists it as toxic to both. Here is its exact wording, what Penn State adds and what to do if a pet chews it.
- [Monstera Care: How to Grow Monstera deliciosa Indoors](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/monstera/): Monstera care for Monstera deliciosa: light, watering, humidity, support, propagation and pests, per NC State, Penn State and Wisconsin, plus ASPCA pet info.
- [Monstera Repotting and Moss Pole Support: What Is Sourced](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/monstera/in-containers/): Monstera repotting and moss pole support: Wisconsin says sink a moss support in the pot, Penn State lists poles and stakes, NC State says repot in spring.
- [Peace Lily Care: Light, Water, Soil and Repotting Tips](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/peace-lily/): Peace lily care indoors: light, watering, soil, feeding, repotting and division, with what Clemson and UF/IFAS say and the ASPCA pet toxicity note.
- [Peace Lily Repotting: When, How and Which Pot Size](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/peace-lily/in-containers/): Peace lily repotting: when roots show it is time, which pot size and soil to use, and what Clemson and UF/IFAS say about drainage, saucers and division.
- [Peace Lily Yellow Leaves: What the Sources Document](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/peace-lily/yellow-leaves/): Peace lily yellow leaves: what Clemson and UF/IFAS Extension say to check, from soil that dries out too much and overwatering to fertilizer burn and pests.
- [Rubber Plant Care: How to Grow Ficus elastica Indoors](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/rubber-plant/): Rubber plant care for Ficus elastica: light, watering, soil, temperature and problems, with what NC State, Texas A&M and Penn State say, and where they differ.
- [Rubber Plant Light Requirements: NC State vs Texas A&M](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/rubber-plant/indoors/): Rubber plant light requirements indoors: NC State says bright indirect light and afternoon-sun protection, Texas A&M says medium light or some daily sun.
- [Rubber Plant Repotting and Containers: What Is Sourced](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/rubber-plant/in-containers/): Rubber plant repotting and containers: NC State says a soil-based potting mix and support as it grows; none of our sources gives a repotting schedule.
- [Snake Plant Care: Light, Water and Repotting Basics](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/snake-plant/): Snake plant care indoors: light, watering, soil, repotting and propagation, with what NC State, Penn State, Clemson and UGA say, plus the ASPCA pet note.
- [Snake Plant Light Requirements: What Extension Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/snake-plant/indoors/): Snake plant light requirements indoors: bright indirect light is ideal, low light is tolerated, and extension sources disagree on direct sun. See each source.
- [ZZ Plant Care: How to Grow Zamioculcas zamiifolia](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/zz-plant/): ZZ plant care: light, watering, soil, feeding and propagation, with what NC State, Clemson, Illinois and UF/IFAS say, where they disagree, and the pet warnings.
- [ZZ Plant Yellow Leaves: What the Sources Say to Check](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/foliage/zz-plant/yellow-leaves/): ZZ plant yellow leaves: our sources give no yellow-leaf diagnosis, but they document root rot, drought leaf drop, sun scald, cold injury and pests to check.

## Trailing plants

- [How to Propagate a Spider Plant: Plantlets and Division](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/spider-plant/from-cuttings/): How to propagate a spider plant from plantlets or by division: what Wisconsin, Clemson, UF and NC State Extension say, and what the sources leave out.
- [How to Propagate Pothos: Stem Cuttings in Water or Soil](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/pothos/from-cuttings/): How to propagate pothos from stem cuttings in water or soil: what Clemson, Penn State and Wisconsin Extension say about nodes, timing and rooting time.
- [Is Pothos Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What ASPCA Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/pothos/pet-safety/): Is pothos toxic to cats and dogs? The ASPCA lists it, as devil's ivy, as toxic to both and names calcium oxalates. See the signs it lists and what to do.
- [Is Spider Plant Toxic to Cats and Dogs? What ASPCA Says](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/spider-plant/pet-safety/): Is a spider plant toxic to cats and dogs? ASPCA's plant page says non-toxic, but its 2019 houseplant article says mildly toxic. See both and what to do.
- [Pothos Care: Light, Water, Humidity and Propagation](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/pothos/): Pothos care indoors: light, watering, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting and cuttings, with where four extension sources differ, plus the ASPCA pet note.
- [Pothos Yellow Leaves: Causes and What to Check](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/pothos/yellow-leaves/): Pothos yellow leaves: what Clemson, Penn State and Wisconsin Extension say causes them, from overwatering and low fertility to direct sun, plus other damage.
- [Spider Plant Brown Tips: Causes and What to Check](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/spider-plant/yellow-leaves/): Spider plant brown tips: what Wisconsin, NC State and Clemson Extension say to check, from tap water chemicals and low humidity to dry soil and fertilizer.
- [Spider Plant Care: Light, Water, Plantlets and Pets](https://howtogrowhouseplants.com/trailing/spider-plant/): Spider plant care indoors: light, watering, humidity, temperature, repotting and plantlets, from four US extension sources, plus the ASPCA pet toxicity note.