Identify Your Houseplant

Why knowing your houseplant's name matters

Most houseplant problems come down to the wrong light or the wrong watering for that particular plant. A snake plant thrives on neglect and rots if you water it every week, while a calathea crisps up in dry air. Once you know what you have, you can give it exactly what it needs - and stop guessing every time a leaf turns yellow.

Houseplants people mix up all the time

If you've been calling your plant the wrong name, you're in good company:

• Pothos vs heartleaf philodendron - pothos leaves are thicker and waxier; philodendron leaves are thinner, softer and more heart-shaped
• Monstera deliciosa vs 'mini monstera' - the mini is a different plant, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, with much smaller leaves
• Snake plant vs ZZ plant - snake plants have tall, sword-like leaves; ZZ plants have glossy leaflets along arching stems
• Rubber plant vs fiddle-leaf fig - both are figs, but fiddle-leaf leaves are violin-shaped and wavy
• Peace lily vs Chinese evergreen - peace lilies have plain dark leaves and white, sail-like flowers; Chinese evergreens usually have patterned leaves

Pet-safe and toxic houseplants

Pothos, monstera, philodendron, dieffenbachia, snake plant and peace lily can all irritate a pet's mouth and stomach if chewed. Spider plants, Boston ferns, calatheas, parlor palms and most peperomias are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. The results tell you which group your plant is in, and the ASPCA's plant list is the place to double-check.

Read the signs your plant is giving you

Once you know what it is, these clues tell you what it needs:

• Yellow, soft lower leaves - usually too much water
• Crispy brown edges - dry air, underwatering or salt buildup from fertilizer
• Long, leggy stems stretching toward the window - not enough light
• Pale, bleached or scorched patches - too much direct sun
• Drooping that recovers after watering - it was simply thirsty

Find the right spot in your home

Bright, indirect light means a spot where the plant sees a lot of sky but isn't baked by direct sun for hours - typically a few feet back from a south- or west-facing window, or right beside an east-facing one. North-facing windows suit low-light plants like snake plants, ZZ plants and pothos.