The Two Biggest Killers: Overwatering and Wrong Light

Overwatering is responsible for more dead houseplants than any other cause. Most people water on a schedule (every Wednesday) rather than based on what the plant actually needs. The correct approach is to water based on soil moisture, not the calendar.

Watering Correctly

  1. 1

    Check the soil before every watering

    Push your finger 3–4cm into the soil. If it is moist, wait. If it is dry, water thoroughly. For succulents and cacti: let the soil dry out completely between waterings. For tropical plants (pothos, philodendron, monstera): water when the top 3–5cm is dry. For moisture-loving plants (ferns, peace lily): water when the top 1–2cm is dry.

  2. 2

    Water thoroughly when you do water

    When the soil is dry, water until it drains freely from the bottom holes. This ensures the entire root system receives moisture. Shallow watering (just wetting the surface) encourages shallow, weak root growth. After watering, empty the saucer after 30 minutes — roots sitting in water rot quickly.

  3. 3

    Drainage holes are non-negotiable

    Every pot must have drainage holes. Beautiful pots without holes cause root rot because excess water has nowhere to go. Either drill holes, use a smaller pot with drainage inside the decorative pot, or plant in a pot with holes and use the decorative pot as a sleeve only.

Getting Light Right

  • Bright indirect light (near a window but not in direct sun): Most tropical houseplants — monstera, pothos, peace lily, fiddle-leaf fig, most ferns
  • Direct sun (south or west-facing window, in the sun): Cacti, succulents, some herbs
  • Low light (no direct sun, away from windows): Very few plants truly thrive here. ZZ plant, snake plant and pothos tolerate low light better than most but still prefer indirect light.

Other Common Problems

  • Yellowing leaves: Usually overwatering, too little light, or normal ageing of older leaves. Check soil moisture first.
  • Brown leaf tips: Usually low humidity (very common in airconditioned homes) or inconsistent watering. Mist leaves or place on a pebble tray with water.
  • Drooping: Could be underwatering (soil dry) or overwatering (soil wet but roots rotted). Check the soil to distinguish.
  • Not growing: Most houseplants grow slowly in winter. Fertilise during spring and summer growing season with a liquid fertiliser monthly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Devil’s Ivy (Pothos): forgiving of neglect, tolerates low light, trails attractively. Snake Plant (Sansevieria): thrives on neglect, tolerates low light and irregular watering. ZZ Plant: nearly indestructible, extremely drought tolerant. Peace Lily: one of the best low-light flowering plants, droops dramatically when thirsty but recovers quickly when watered. Spider Plant: fast growing, adaptable, propagates easily. All are widely available at Bunnings, garden centres and plant nurseries.
During the growing season (spring and summer): once a month with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength. In autumn and winter, most houseplants grow slowly or not at all — stop fertilising or reduce to every 6–8 weeks. Never fertilise a stressed or newly repotted plant. Over-fertilising (salt buildup in soil) is as damaging as not fertilising — half strength monthly is better than full strength occasionally.