Your first week with a houseplant

The first week is about learning, not collecting equipment. Keep the plant name, its location and an arrival photograph together. A small record gives future observations context.

Match the plant to its place

Read the label and find the scientific name where possible. Check guidance for that species rather than relying on the phrase “indoor plant.” Choose a position you can reach for inspection.

Make a starting record

• Plant name and arrival date.

• Location and distance from the window.

• A photograph of the pot and leaves.

• A note about the compost when checked.

Three observation moments

Record the starting conditions on arrival, inspect again midweek and compare your notes at the weekend. These are checks, not instructions to water. RHS guidance recommends checking whether a pot needs water and allowing excess water to drain.

Change one thing with a reason

If you see a change, record when it began and what happened before it. Avoid moving, repotting and feeding together: the record becomes harder to interpret. Persistent problems deserve species-specific advice.

Try it today

Add a plant to your workspace with a precise location and one observation. Set a reminder to inspect it. Decide what care is needed after that check, rather than treating the reminder as an automatic watering order.

Lesson exercise

Choose one idea from this lesson and try it in your space. Record your action, observation and one question to revisit. Allow two minutes for the exercise before moving on.