Plant Care 101: A Houseplant Guide from Your Providence Plant Store

One of the most common questions we get at Blooming Blossoms, your neighborhood plant store on Hope Street in Providence, RI, is how to care for your new plant once you get it home.  

We put together this simple plant care guide covering the plants we regularly keep in stock, sharing light needs, watering schedule, and a few tips for keeping each one happy.

Whether you picked up a plant in person or had one sent through our Providence plant delivery, bookmark this page any time you need a refresher - or send it to a friend who just got one as a gift.

Providence Florist Houseplant Care Guide, A to Z

Air plants - Air plants like low light and don't need soil at all. Soak them in water once a week for about 20-30 minutes, then shake off the excess and let them dry before setting them back in place.

Bromeliad - One of our easy-care favorites. Bromeliads do well in moderate to low light and only need watering about once a week. A great choice if you're newer to houseplants.

Cactus - Cacti want bright light, ideally a sunny windowsill, and very little water - just twice a month. Overwatering is the number one way to lose one, so resist the urge to water more often.

Fern - Ferns prefer low light and a weekly watering. They also love a little humidity, so a bathroom with natural light or an occasional misting can help them thrive.

Ivy - Ivy does best in medium to low light with water once a week. It's a great trailing plant for shelves or hanging planters.

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Kalanchoe - This colorful bloomer likes medium to bright light and a weekly watering. More light generally means more of those cheerful little flowers.

Orchid - Keep orchids in low light while they're in bloom, and water well once a week - a good soak rather than a splash or just an ice cube. Once the blooms fade, they can handle slightly brighter light.

Peace Lily - Peace lilies prefer low light and water once or twice a week. They're also dramatic in a helpful way - the leaves droop noticeably when they're thirsty, so they'll let you know when it's time to water.

Philodendron - Another easy-care option. Variegated varieties like a bit more sun to keep their coloring, while solid green varieties are happy with less light. Water once a week either way.

Ponytail Palm - This one wants bright light and minimal water - just every other week. The bulb-like base actually stores water, so it's very forgiving if you forget a watering.

Pothos - One of the most low-maintenance plants around. Pothos tolerates low to medium light and needs water about once a week - a solid houseplant pick for dorm rooms, beginners, or low-light apartments.

Rubber Tree - Easy care and flexible about light - it can tolerate just about any light condition. Water every other week.

Schefflera Arboricola - Prefers high to bright light and a weekly watering. Give it enough light and it'll reward you with steady new growth.

Snake Plant - About as easy-care as houseplants get. Snake plants tolerate any light condition and only need water twice a month, making them one of the most forgiving plants on this list.

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Succulents - Succulents want bright light and very little water - twice a month is plenty. Like cacti, they're much more likely to suffer from overwatering than underwatering.

ZZ Plant - Easy care and tolerant of any light condition. Water twice a month, and don't worry too much if you miss a week - ZZ plants are built to handle a little neglect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I'm overwatering my plant? Yellowing leaves, a mushy stem, or soil that stays wet for days after watering are all signs of overwatering. When in doubt, wait a few extra days before watering again.

What's the easiest houseplant for a beginner? Pothos, snake plants, and ZZ plants are all great low-maintenance options that tolerate a range of light conditions and infrequent watering.

Do I need to fertilize my houseplants? Most houseplants benefit from a light feeding during spring and summer (their active growing season) but need little to no fertilizer in fall and winter.

Where can I buy houseplants in Providence? Blooming Blossoms is a local Providence plant store carrying a wide range of easy-care and statement houseplants, all available in-store or through plant delivery.

Do you deliver plants in Providence? Yes, we offer plant delivery throughout the Providence area, so you can send a houseplant as a gift or have one delivered to yourself without leaving home.

Shopping for Houseplants in Providence?

If you're searching for where to buy houseplants in Providence, RI, Blooming Blossoms has you covered - from easy-care favorites like pothos and snake plants to statement pieces like our orchids and rubber trees. Stop by the shop to pick out a plant in person, or browse our Providence plant delivery options to have one sent straight to your door.

If your new plant isn't looking quite right, or you're not sure which of these categories it falls into, get in touch - we're happy to help troubleshoot.