The Plant Parent Pyramid: What to Know Before You Grow.

Plant Care Needs Basics For Beginners

Before you adopt your first green baby, pause that cart and let’s talk fundamentals. There’s a reason new plant parents get overwhelmed and spiral into a cycle of crispy leaves, fungus gnats, and regret. It’s not your fault. You were set up.

So let’s rebuild your plant parent foundation the right way—like a pyramid. Strong, balanced, and majestic AF.

Here are the five key layers of plant parenthood to help you grow with confidence and have you knowing your plant care needs in no time:

1. Lighting: The Holy Grail

Lighting isn’t just important. It’s everything. You could have the fanciest pot and most expensive soil, but if your plant lives in a dungeon corner, it’s going to wither and give you side-eye on the way out.

• Bright, indirect light means near a window but not in the sunbeam itself.

• Direct light is the full Beyoncé spotlight.

• Low light is not no light. It’s “reading a book with the lights dimmed but still legible” energy.

  
  

Pro tip: Use your compass app to figure out which direction your windows face. South = bright and sunny. North = cute but moody.

2. Watering: Less Is More, Babe

More plants die from overwatering than underwatering. Think of watering like giving your plant a cocktail. You want it to be refreshing, not a drowning situation.

• Finger test: Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time. If it’s moist, walk away.

• No schedule: Your plants don’t care that it’s Sunday. They care if they’re thirsty.

• Drainage matters: Always have drainage holes. If your pot doesn’t have one, it’s decor, not housing.

3. Soil: Not All Dirt Is Created Equal

Plants don’t want to live in cement. They want breathable, nourishing soil. The kind that holds moisture but still lets their roots breathe and boogie.

• Tropical plants love an airy mix with coco coir or orchid bark.

• Succulents and cacti need gritty, fast-draining soil. Think sand and grit, not mud.

• Avoid anything labeled “moisture control” unless you like root rot.

4. Pots: Fashion Meets Function

We love a cute pot. But we also love keeping our plants alive.

• Terracotta is breathable and great for overwaterers.

• Plastic keeps moisture in, good for underwaterers.

• Cache pots (no holes) are fine as long as you keep the nursery pot inside and take it out to water.

Let your plant wear a costume if it wants, but it still needs good shoes underneath.

5. Patience: Growth Takes Time

This isn’t TikTok. Your plant isn’t going to explode with growth overnight. In fact, it might just chill for a while, especially in winter.

• Seasonal shifts matter. Growth slows when it’s darker and colder.

• New leaves can take weeks or even months. That’s normal.

• Leaf loss happens. Old leaves die. Let them go and celebrate the new.

Be kind, stay curious, and stop hovering. Plants feel your nervous energy.

*Bonus* Pest Prevention: It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Crisis Plan

Pest prevention isn’t just a one-time treatment. It’s a full-time mindset woven into every step of plant parenthood. From choosing the right soil to cleaning your leaves, every healthy habit adds up to a plant that’s more resilient when bugs come knocking.

The top three pest-fighting essentials to keep in your plant care kit are Neem oil (great for routine leaf wipe-downs), isopropyl alcohol (a must for spot-treating mealybugs and scale), and hydrogen peroxide (perfect for root gnat management and soil sterilization). If you’ve tried everything and the bugs still won't quit, systemic granules can act as your last resort defense. Honorable mentions include diatomaceous earth for sprinkling on top of soil to deter creepy crawlies, Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew for a spinosad-based spray option, and of course, carnivorous plants, which offer nature’s sassiest form of pest control.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need 30 plants to call yourself a plant parent. You just need to know how to care for one. Master this pyramid, and you’re well on your way to growing a full-blown jungle without losing your mind....or your Monstera.

Got questions or want a post about each section in more depth? Drop us a comment or stop by our shop for some real talk and plant pep talks.