The Wirecutter Show Stop Killing Your Houseplants
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Apr 16, 2025 Darryl Cheng, a plant expert and author known for his engineering-based plant care approach, shares how to keep popular houseplants like pothos and monsteras alive. He emphasizes the importance of understanding plant needs and offers tips from his latest book for thriving plants. Joining him is Rose Maura Lorre, a senior writer specializing in affordable plants, who reveals insider secrets for scoring cheap or free houseplants, bringing a fun and frugal twist to indoor gardening.
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Use Measured Grow Lights
- Use white LED grow lights to supplement light for plants in low-light homes, but measure light intensity to ensure effectiveness.
- Position grow lights close to plants; distance dramatically affects light received and plant health.
Best Plants for Low Light
- For low-light or basement apartments, choose resilient plants like snake plant, ZZ plant, and pothos.
- Rotate these plants between well-lit windows and low-light spots to maintain health without ideal lighting.
Manage Cats That Munch Plants
- For cats that munch plants, give them cat grass as an alternative and move your plants out of reach.
- Allow cats to nibble designated safe plants to satisfy their need to chew leaves.
