Plants 101: From Types and Origins to Care and Troubleshooting

The Basics

Eligible Environments

Our environments shape us in ways we never imagined. The same is true for plants. Creating a safe space for your plants takes a little trial and error but it’s doable. Read ahead for our guide on getting started.

The Basics

Top Ten Plant Care Tips

There are plenty of ways to care for your plant. With the help of our plant experts, we’ve weeded out the top ten plant care tips for healthy, happy plants.

The Basics

Drink Up

Water is amazing. Made up of hydrogen and oxygen, it's literally responsible for all life on Earth. Watering your plant is a no brainer, but how much and how often can be more tricky to tell. Luckily, we have a few ideas on watering for optimum plant health.

The Basics

Lighten Up

More than anything, plants need light. It's the lifesource for all vital plant functions. Find out why, how much and what type of light your plant needs to keep on thriving.

The Basics

How-To: Pick a Planter for Your Plant

Say perfect plant planter three times fast. Choosing a planter is not nearly as hard, once you know what to look for. Hint: read on to find out how-to choose the perfect planter for your plant.

The Basics

Hot in Here: Humidity

If you’ve ever experienced a New York summer, you might describe it as humid. The blankety, moisture-filled air that makes morning commutes sticky, skin glisten and wreaks havoc on our hair is essential for certain plants.

Seasonal

Seasonal Care: Spring

As the seasons change, so too do your plant needs. Indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes. In this article, we’re talking about all things spring and how you should care for your plants when the temperature warms up.

Seasonal

Seasonal Care: Winter

As the seasons change, so too do your plant’s needs. Indoor plants are affect by outdoor changes. In this article, we're talking about all things winter and how you should care for your plants when the temperature dips below freezing.

Seasonal

Seasonal Care: Summer

As the seasons change, so too do your plant’s needs. Indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes. In this article, we’re talking about all things summer and how you should care for your plants when the temperature rises.

Seasonal

Seasonal Care: Fall

As the seasons change, so too do your plant’s needs. Indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes. In this article, we’re talking about all things fall and how you should care for your plants when the temperatures cool down.

Inside, Out: How-To Bring Indoor Plants Outdoors

Seasonal

Inside, Out: How-To Bring Indoor Plants Outdoors

Transitioning your indoor plants to the outdoors is not easy. Outdoor plants require extra attention and commitment—much more so than indoor plants do. We strongly recommend you only do so if you are confident in your abilities to keep your plants alive. If you are, then here's what to look out for and how-to do it.

Plants By Room

Room Mates: Plants for the Bathroom

Plants can instantly beautify and energize a space, boost your mood, reduce your stress levels, bring you tranquility, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants. Our Room Mates series explores the possibilities for placing plants in rooms at home and at the office, in common areas and some places you may have overlooked.

Plants By Room

Room Mates: Plants for the Bedroom

Plants can instantly beautify and energize a space, boost your mood, reduce your stress levels, bring you tranquility, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants. Our Room Mates series explores the possibilities for placing plants in rooms at home and at the office, in common areas and some places you may have overlooked.

Plants By Room

Room Mates: Plants for the Office

Plants can instantly beautify and energize a space, boost your mood, reduce your stress levels, bring you tranquility, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants. Our Room Mates series explores the possibilities for placing plants in rooms at home and at the office, in common areas and some places you may have overlooked.

Plants By Room

Allelopathy & Planting Plants Together

Plants lead inner lives that are full of #drama. In short, some plants do not get along with other plants. This is called allelopathy and instead of using their words, plants use biochemicals to communicate to other plants that can’t sit with them. Let’s get into it.

Plants By Room

Our Picks: Low Light Plants

Floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows with lots of sunlight. Sounds nice, right? But if your place does not have these features, read on to find out how to create an at-home oasis full of plants suited for low light.

Pests

Bug Off: Fungus Gnats

If you noticed some bugs around your plant, chances are you want to get rid of them. You’re in luck. Our Bug Off series takes a closer look at common houseplant pests, how to get rid of them and how to prevent future breakouts.

Pests

Bug Off: Mealybugs

If you noticed some bugs around your plant, chances are you want to get rid of them. You're in luck. Our Bug Off series takes a closer look at common houseplant pests, how to get rid of them and how to prevent future breakouts.

Pests

Bug Off: Spider Mites

If you noticed some bugs around your plant, chances are you want to get rid of them. You’re in luck. Our Bug Off series takes a closer look at common houseplant pests, how to get rid of them and how to prevent future breakouts.

Pests

Bug Off: Scale

If you noticed some bugs around your plant, chances are you want to get rid of them. You're in luck. Our Bug Off series takes a closer look at common houseplant pests, how to get rid of them and how to prevent future breakouts.

Pests

Mushrooms and Fungi

For millions of years, plants have been BFF’s with microbes found in soil, forming strong, intricate relationships. Plants interact with both bacteria and fungi in soil, and in fact, if it were not for fungi there would be no life on land. Here, we give you a rundown on mushrooms, fungi, and their relationship status to plants.

Common Care Questions

Why You Need Plants in Your Life

Indoor plants don’t just look good, they make us feel good mentally and physically, too.

Common Care Questions

Plant Care: Repotting

Repotting your plants can be tricky, but we have a few tips to make it a success. Proper repotting is key to avoid stressing out your plants. If your plant is overgrown or you want to switch up the decor, we feel that. Let's take a look at what to know before you repot.

Common Care Questions

Plant Care: Fertilizer

You know your new plant needs the right light and just enough water, but what about fertilizer? While it can be great for plants in the long-term, it is by no means a daily requirement or a cure-all vitamin. Let’s take a closer look at fertilizer, different types and when you should and should not use it.

Common Care Questions

Plant Care: Plant Toxicity

Is there a creature making a meal out of your plant? Let’s take a look at the fascinating way plants protect themselves from being eaten.

Common Care Questions

Plant Care: Potting Mix 101

Most plants need soil to live. It’s where their roots are and where they get their water from. But it may surprise you to learn that not all soil is soil. That is, although we see indoor plants potted in what looks like brown, soily, dirt, they may actually be potted in something else.

Common Care Questions

Just Say No: Leaf Shine

Because plants should look like plants. Not plastic. First things first: We do not recommend using leaf-shining products on your houseplants. Plants are already gorgeous. To help our plants look their best, here are a few better, safer ways to enhance your plants’ beauty without sacrificing your plants’ health.

Common Care Questions

Not So Mellow Yellow (Leaves)

If you’ve ever seen yellow leaves on your what-was-once-green-plant, read on to find out the causes, symptoms and solutions. It’s going to be fine!

Common Care Questions

Calcium Buildup 101

Calcium. The stuff of strong bones is an essential element for all life. But while it’s necessary, sometimes calcium can buildup. Here’s the what, the how, and what to do about it.

New Digs: Moving Plants Small & Tall Short & Long Distances

Common Care Questions

New Digs: Moving Plants Small & Tall Short & Long Distances

Moving to a new home or apartment? Instead of painful, the process should be precious, especially if you are packing up a few plants. Keep these tips handy for a happy transition to new digs.

Common Care Questions

Growth Spurts

Plants are like children in that, they grow up so fast. Ask any plant parent, or human parent for that matter. But the rate at which plants, like people, grow, develop, and change varies greatly from person to person and from plant to plant. Let’s take a look at the growth process of some common houseplants, factors that affect growth, and how much you can expect your plants to grow over a year.

Health Is Wealth, Get That (Plant) Green

Common Care Questions

Health Is Wealth, Get That (Plant) Green

Loving your plant is easy enough, but how well do we know our plants? While we fall hard and fast in love with plants, make them the center of attention, and care for them unconditionally — plants, like people — want to be understood. Get on a deeper level with your plants and you’ll be able to tell when there’s trouble in paradise.

Common Care Questions

Size Matters

If the difference in your plant collection is a matter of size, you’ll want to make sure your small and big plants are getting the care they need. Read on and get sized up.

Common Care Questions

Best Time to Water Your Plants

When watering your houseplants, keep in mind the time of day. The best time to water indoor plants is during the morning hours, before the sunshine is in full force. Watering in the morning is also helpful for plants that do not get as much light as you'd like, because they're not sitting in wet soil for too long.

Common Care Questions

Signs of Overwatering Your Plants

It's easy to want to give your plant babies too much love and attention — but did you know overwatering is the most common way to kill a houseplant...

Common Care Questions

Key Plant Terms Glossary

Plant Physiology Node Nodes are the places on a stem where leaves attach, and buds are. Buds may be recessed into the stem, but the node is usua...

DIY & Design

It’s A Small, Plant World: Terrariums

Terrariums — chic glass vessels that house tiny plant worlds. You’ve seen them dangling delicately in groups or hanging out on window sills. But if it weren’t for a moth, a little dirt and a need for plants in the first place, we may have never known them.

DIY & Design

Fine Vines: Trellising & Pruning Basics

Plants with vining or trailing habits will grow really large with proper care over time, but when our plants are vining or trailing out of control, trellising and pruning can help immensely in controlling and stimulating new growth.

DIY & Design

Plant Propagation for Beginners

Propagating plants might sound like a drag, but depending on what type of plant you’re working with, it can be simple. Here's everything you need to know to propagate a few of your favorite plants.

DIY & Design

The Top 10 Reasons to Go Faux

Sometimes, it’s okay to fake it. Read on for a round-up of the leading reasons you should be incorporating artificial plants into your life.

How To: Styling with Real and Faux Plants

DIY & Design

How To: Styling with Real and Faux Plants

There are no hard rules when it comes to styling the real-deals with the faux, only a million possibilities.

Four Ways to Style a Faux Monstera Frond

DIY & Design

Four Ways to Style a Faux Monstera Frond

With the introduction of our faux line comes clever approaches for styling the fan-favorite frond.

Plants 101

Plants 101: Epiphytes and Air Plants

The Sill seeks to educate and inspire all plant lovers. In our plant novice series, Plants 101, we introduce some of our favorite plant types, explore where they come from, and gently advise how to take care.

Plants 101

Plants 101: Succulents

The Sill seeks to educate and inspire all plant lovers. In our plant novice series, Plants 101, we introduce some of our favorite plant types, explore where they come from, and gently advise how to take care.

Plants 101

The Hole Truth: Monsteras

Big or small, prickly or smooth, a plant’s characteristics makes them beautiful and unique. They way they look can tell us a lot about them. Here, a closer look at Monsteras and their leaf holes.

Fiddle Me This: Caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig

Plants 101

Fiddle Me This: Caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fickle, froufrou, fancy. The trendiest plant in the game is of course, the Fiddle Leaf Fig. Flip through any home decor mag or scroll down design-y Instagram accounts and it’s likely the Fiddle Leaf Fig will make an appearance. If you want to make the addition to your own plant family, you’ll want to read how-to-care-for the notoriously hard-to-care-for plant. (Pro Tip: it’s easier than you think).

Plants 101

A is for Aroids

Take a closer look at this amazing yet common houseplant.

Plants 101

Pilea peperomioides

Sure, money doesn’t grow on trees, but the Coin Plant / Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) is worth spending some time on.

Plants 101

C is for Calathea

Calathea (Calathea spp. and hybrids.) is a genus of neotropical rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants; members of which are referred to generally as Calatheas. ‘Prayer plants’ is a colloquial term that refers to members of genus Maranta, to which genus Calathea is closely-related. They’re all considered to be ‘prayer plants’.

Plants 101

Word On The Bird of Paradise

Unusual, gorgeous, tropical. If you’ve ever mistaken a plant for a bird, or vice versa, you may have encountered a Bird of Paradise plant. Let’s take a closer look at this natural wonder.

Our Top Low-Maintance Houseplants for Under $20

Plants 101

Our Top Low-Maintance Houseplants for Under $20

Not only can indoor plants transform a room’s aesthetic, but they also have the ability to boost mood, increase creativity, lessen stress, and filt...

Plants 101

Pick A Peperomia

Resembling the fan-favorite rubber plant, just tinier, Peperomia are plants in the peppercorn family, Piperaceae. Peperomia make great houseplants, are low maintenance, and clean the air.

Plants 101

Introduction to Bulbs

Not the electric kind you twist, but the ones you bury into soft, warm soil, lovingly water, and check in on (maybe a little too often), in hopes and anticipation that your bulbs will bloom into beautiful plants. Those bulbs.

Plants 101

What’s My Name: Plant Nomenclature

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Shakespeare knew names were important. They can tell us a lot of information about something, or someone, in short order. But what’s in a plant name? Well, quite a bit, actually. Plant names not only contain valuable information about the plant, but also give the history of the plant, as well as its potential uses. In this article, we’ll meet the Father of Taxonomy, appreciate why the naming of plants is imperative, and come away with a better understanding of how to name house plants — rather than just calling them “dead” or “alive”.

Plants 101

Between Two Ferns

Ferns are fabulous. They are amongst the first plants on earth to form a vascular system, allowing them to tower over mosses and grow to heights never before seen on earth. Ferns can be found around the world in almost all environments where moisture is abundant. Find out more about ferns below and how to care for these ancient and mysterious plants.

Plants 101

From A to ZZ Plant

A common houseplant that’s easy to grow sounds like the perfect plant, right? The ZZ Plant may very well be the perfect plant, known for its adaptive abilities and relatively easy-going, low maintenance demeanor.

Plants 101

Arrowhead Plant

Learn how to care for the Arrowhead Plant! The Arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum) is native to the tropical rain forests in Central and South Amer...

Peperomia Obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)

Plants 101

Peperomia Obtusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)

Learn how to care for the Peperomia Green (or Baby Rubber Plant)! The Peperomia Obtusifolia is a succulent-like variety of Peperomia, originally f...

Plants 101

Peperomia Plants

Learn how to care for most varieties of Peperomia! The Peperomia genus has over 1,000 species, but only a dozen or so are suitable as houseplants...

Plants 101

Rex Begonia

Learn how to care for the Rex Begonia! Rex Begonias are admired for their fabulous foliage. The cultivar offers a wide range of colors, textures,...

Plants 101

Canela Tree

Learn how to care for the Canela Tree, AKA the Cinnamon Plant! The Canela Tree, also known as the cinnamon plant, is related to the culinary cinn...

Plants 101

Bird’s Nest Fern

Learn how to care for the Bird’s Nest Fern! Native to tropical regions such as southeast Asia, Australia, east Africa and Hawaii to name a few, B...

Plants 101

Philodendron

Learn how to care for the Heartleaf Philodendron! The Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is an evergreen perennial vine, native to...

Plants 101

Haworthia

Learn how to care for the Haworthia! The Haworthia is a miniature succulent native to South Africa, and is one of the easiest houseplants to car...

Plants 101

Jade Plant

Learn how to care for a Jade Plant! The Crassula ovata (or Jade Plant) originates from South Africa. The word crassus in Latin means “thick”. Th...

Plants 101

Philodendron ‘Silver’

Learn how to care for the Philodendron ‘Silver’! The Philodendron ’Silver’ is native to South America and has the reputation of being one of the...

Plants 101

Ripple Peperomia

Learn how to care for the Ripple Peperomia! The Peperomia genus has over 1000 species, but only a dozen or so make for good houseplants. The Pep...

Plants 101

ZZ Plant

Learn how to care for the ZZ Plant! The Zamioculcas zamiifolia – or ZZ plant — is a tropical perennial native to Eastern Africa that has become ...

Plants 101

Majesty Palm (Ravenea Rivularis)

Learn how to care for the Majesty Palm! The Majesty Palm is a robust, tropical palm with graceful, feathery fronds that originates from Madagasc...

Plants 101

Moon Valley Pilea (Pilea Mollis)

Learn how to care for the Moon Valley Pilea! The Moon Valley Pilea or Pilea Mollis is native to Central and South America. Its common name, Moon...

Plants 101

Pencil Plant (Euphorbia)

Learn how to care for the Pencil Plant! The Pencil Plant or Euphorbia Tirucalli is a succulent native to South and East Africa. The plant’s name...

Plants 101

Golden Pothos

Learn how to care for the Golden Pothos! The Golden Pothos, or the Epipremnum aureum, is native to Southeast Asia. It has the reputation of bein...

Plants 101

Oxalis

Learn how to care for most varieties of Oxalis! Oxalis is the largest genus in the family Oxalidaceae and represents about 800 of the 900 species ...

Plants 101

Norfolk Island Pine

Learn how to care for most varieties of Norfolk Island Pine! The Norfolk Island Pine hails from Norfolk Island, a small island in the Pacific Ocea...

Plants 101

Dino Plant

Learn how to care for most varieties of Dino Plant! The Dino Plant, also known as the Selaginella lepidophylla, is an ancient rosette-forming herb...

Plants 101

Monstera

Learn how to care for most varieties of Monstera! Monstera are species of evergreen tropical vines/shrubs that are native to Central America. Mons...

Plants 101

Parlor Palm

Learn how to care for the Parlor Palm! Chamaedorea elegans, also known as the Neanthe Bella Parlor Palm, is one of our favorite true palms. Parlo...

Plants 101

Rubber Tree

Learn how to care for most varieties of Rubber Tree! Ficus elastica is a species of evergreen tropical tree native to southern China, Southeast As...

Plants 101

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Learn how to care for most varieties of Fiddle Leaf Fig! Ficus lyrata is a species of evergreen tropical tree native to the tropical lowlands of w...

Plants 101

Calathea

Learn how to care for most varieties of Calathea! Calathea is a genus of neotropical rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants; members of which are...

Plants 101

Maranta

Learn how to care for most varieties of Maranta! Maranta is the type-genus of Marantaceae, and is named in honor of Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian...

Plants 101

Aluminum Pilea

Learn how to care for the Aluminum Pilea! The small, but fast growing Pilea cadieri originates from rainforests in Vietnam. One of over 200 speci...

Ask Chrissy

The Ultimate Low Light Plant

“I live in a basement apartment in the city with very little light, but am craving some greenery. What plants do you recommend? Help me Chrissy!” —Jill, East Village

Ask Chrissy

The Best Trailing Plant for Your Bookcase

"I want to liven up my bookcase! What plant would look good on a shelf next to my books?" —Nadine, Tucson

Ask Chrissy

The Essential Low Maintenance Plant for Busy Schedules

“I want to incorporate some greenery into my apartment, but I am SO busy! I spend a lot of time traveling, so low maintenance is key. What fits my lifestyle? —Kara, LA

Ask Chrissy

A Mother’s Day Gift Mom Will Love

“I need to send my Mom a present for Mother's Day! I've gotten her fruit baskets every year so I need something new. Any recommendations for a unique gift?” —Jeanne, River Edge NJ

Ask Chrissy

The Best Pet-Friendly Plant for Your Home

“I’m a cat lady that loves plants. What kind of plant can I have in my house that's safe for my cats to be around?” —Stephanie, Brooklyn

Ask Chrissy

The Best Plant for a Sunny Space

“I get a lot of full sun in my living room. I’ve cooked a bunch of plants, which one can tolerate this sunshine?” —Laurie, San Diego

Ask Chrissy

The Perfect Plant for a Hanging Basket

“I want to try a hanging basket (I love them on Insta!). What plant would look good in one of these?” —Emily, Telluride

Ask Chrissy

The Perfect Plant Gift for Delivery

“I have a friend that lives across the country and her bday is quickly approaching. What plant would travel well and arrive looking amazing?” —Steve, Boston

Ask Chrissy

The Plant That Loves a Humid Bathroom

“I have a small window in my bathroom and am dying to get some plants in there. What's a good bathroom plant that can survive high humidity?” —Brenda, Delray Beach

Ask Chrissy

The Best Office Plant

“My sister just got a new job and I want to say congrats! What should I send her to spruce up her desk?” —Alyssa, Chicago

Ask Chrissy

The Best Plant for Propagation

“I love projects! Which plant from your selection is easy for a beginner to propagate?” —Hannah, Des Moines

Ask Chrissy

The Houseplant That You Don’t Have to Water Often

“I often forget to water my plants — whoops! What’s a good option for me that can handle staying a bit dry?” - Heather, Forest Hills

Ask Chrissy

The Perfect Tablescape Decoration

“I’m hosting a dinner party at my apartment and am looking for unique table decoration ideas. I want to make my table setting pop and prefer greenery to flowers. Any thoughts?” Jenny, New York City

Ask Chrissy

The Best Plant to Send to Your Best Friend

“I love a plant with a story. Anything that has special meaning behind it to gift to a friend?” Kat, Portland

Ask Chrissy

The Perfect Desert Plant for Your Home

“I love that Joshua Tree style and want a desert look in my home. Do you have any low maintenance options?” Rachel, Los Angeles

Ask Chrissy

The Best Gift to Say Congratulations on a New Job

“My friend just started a new job. I’d love to give her a plant that says good luck and send positive vibes, what do you recommend?” Amy, Denver

Ask Chrissy

A Unique Housewarming Gift

“My daughter is moving out and I want to send a housewarming gift her way. Do you have any cute gift sets that will be perfect for this?” Liz, Washington D.C.

Ask Chrissy

A Cute Non-Toxic, Kid-Friendly Plant

“I’m a teacher and want to spruce up my classroom with plants. What’s a safe bet for a classroom filled with little kids?” Suzy, The Bronx

Ask Chrissy

The Best Light-Weight Floor Planter

“I need to repot my snake plant (it barely fits in its pot!) but I live in a fifth floor walk-up. Have any light weight floor planters?” Annie, San Francisco

Ask Chrissy

The Ultimate DIY Terrarium Kit

“I want to make a terrarium! Do you have any plants that would be a good fit for this DIY?” - Beth, Boston

Ask Chrissy

The Easiest Indoor Plant

“I do NOT have a green thumb and am scared of killing plants. What do you think would be the easiest option for a beginner?” - Lauren, Portland

Ask Chrissy

The Membership Every Plant Parent Needs

“I’m a new plant mom and need help taking care of my new plant babies. Not sure where I can go to get tips—I just want to learn the basics. HELP!” —Kristen, Fort Worth

Ask Chrissy

A Monthly Plant Subscription to Gift This Holiday

I need a great gift for my sister. She loves plants, but is hesitant to have them as her own. What’s a good choice for her?” - Becky, Boston

Ask Chrissy

Perfectly Potted Bulbs for the Holidays

“I want to send someone a gift that will last longer than generic flowers! What do you suggest I send someone this Christmas?” - Charlie, San Antonio

Plantfluencer Stories

From our Founder

Another trip around the sun! The Sill continues to evolve as a business, but our core mission has remained constant: bridge the gap between people and plants, because plants make people happy. In celebration of our 7th birthday, our Founder and CEO Eliza Blank reflects on our growth and mission.