{ "$schema": "https://pointcast.xyz/houseplants.json", "name": "Houseplant learning lab", "description": "A practical learning module for indoor plant care: light, watering, soil, humidity, feeding, repotting, propagation, symptoms, and common plant profiles.", "home": "https://pointcast.xyz/houseplants", "generatedAt": "2026-04-28T23:19:40.076Z", "sourceBlock": { "id": "0333", "url": "https://pointcast.xyz/b/0333", "jsonUrl": "https://pointcast.xyz/b/0333.json" }, "learningModel": { "premise": "Plants are easier to care for when you read the environment before treating the symptom.", "sequence": [ "light", "water", "air in the root zone", "humidity", "feeding", "repotting", "propagation", "diagnosis" ], "ruleOfThumb": "Change one variable at a time and observe new growth, not old damage." }, "lightOptions": [ { "id": "low", "label": "Low", "read": "Can read a book, weak shadow, far from bright glass." }, { "id": "medium", "label": "Medium", "read": "Bright room, soft shadow, no harsh sun on leaves." }, { "id": "bright", "label": "Bright", "read": "Strong sky exposure, crisp shadow, filtered or direct sun nearby." } ], "lessons": [ { "id": "01", "title": "Read light like weather", "focus": "Window direction, shadow sharpness, distance from glass, and seasonal drift.", "takeaway": "Most foliage plants want bright indirect light: enough sky to grow, not enough direct sun to scorch.", "practice": "Stand where the plant sits at noon. If your hand throws a soft shadow, you are in useful indirect light." }, { "id": "02", "title": "Water the root zone", "focus": "Soil moisture, pot size, root mass, drainage, and the difference between dry surface and dry pot.", "takeaway": "The calendar is a hint, not a rule. Check the mix, then water thoroughly when the plant actually needs it.", "practice": "Lift the pot after watering, then again when dry. Weight teaches faster than guessing." }, { "id": "03", "title": "Build oxygen into soil", "focus": "Drainage holes, chunky amendments, compaction, and root rot prevention.", "takeaway": "Roots need water and air. A potting mix that stays wet forever is usually a root problem waiting to happen.", "practice": "Add perlite or bark when a tropical foliage mix dries too slowly." }, { "id": "04", "title": "Use humidity without drama", "focus": "Grouping plants, pebble trays, bathrooms, kitchens, and humidifier discipline.", "takeaway": "Humidity helps thin-leaf tropicals, but wet soil plus low light is still the bigger danger.", "practice": "Move ferns and calatheas together near bright indirect light before buying another gadget." }, { "id": "05", "title": "Feed growth, not guilt", "focus": "Dilute fertilizer, active growth windows, salt buildup, and rest periods.", "takeaway": "Fertilizer cannot fix bad light, soggy roots, or pests. Feed lightly when the plant is actively growing.", "practice": "Use half-strength balanced fertilizer in spring/summer, then flush occasionally with plain water." }, { "id": "06", "title": "Repot for roots", "focus": "Root circling, pot jumps, drainage, post-repot stress, and when not to disturb a plant.", "takeaway": "Repot one size up when roots have filled the pot, not because the leaves look bored.", "practice": "Check roots in spring. If the rootball is a tight net, move up 1-2 inches in diameter." }, { "id": "07", "title": "Propagate from structure", "focus": "Nodes, crowns, offsets, rhizomes, cane cuttings, and callusing succulent leaves.", "takeaway": "Propagation is plant anatomy in your hand. Find the growth point before making the cut.", "practice": "On vines, cut below a node with one leaf attached; roots and shoots need that node." }, { "id": "08", "title": "Diagnose before treating", "focus": "Pests, root stress, light stress, watering mistakes, and pattern recognition.", "takeaway": "A symptom is evidence, not a verdict. Check light, roots, soil moisture, and leaf undersides first.", "practice": "Quarantine new or suspicious plants for two weeks and inspect under bright light." } ], "profiles": [ { "slug": "pothos", "name": "Pothos", "scientific": "Epipremnum aureum", "archetype": "forgiving vine", "light": "Low to bright indirect light; faster growth and stronger variegation with more indirect light.", "lightBand": "medium", "water": "Let the top 1-2 inches dry, then water through the pot and empty the saucer.", "mix": "Standard indoor mix loosened with perlite or bark.", "feed": "Light monthly feeding during active growth.", "propagation": "Stem cuttings with at least one node root easily in water or mix.", "watch": "Yellow lower leaves usually point to repeated wet soil or old foliage shedding.", "petNote": "Keep away from pets and kids who chew leaves.", "skill": "Learn nodes, vines, and pruning for fullness.", "sourceLabel": "Penn State Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants" }, { "slug": "snake-plant", "name": "Snake plant", "scientific": "Dracaena trifasciata", "archetype": "architectural survivor", "light": "Tolerates low light, but prefers medium to bright indirect light.", "lightBand": "medium", "water": "Let the mix dry deeply. In low light, water sparingly.", "mix": "Fast-draining cactus or succulent-style mix.", "feed": "Very light feeding in warm bright months.", "propagation": "Division is fastest; leaf cuttings work but variegation may not return true.", "watch": "Mushy leaves are a wet-root warning.", "petNote": "Keep out of reach of chewing pets.", "skill": "Learn drought storage and restraint.", "sourceLabel": "University of Minnesota Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/sansevieria" }, { "slug": "zz-plant", "name": "ZZ plant", "scientific": "Zamioculcas zamiifolia", "archetype": "low-light rhizome tank", "light": "Low to bright indirect light; avoid harsh direct sun.", "lightBand": "low", "water": "Let the pot dry well between waterings; thick rhizomes store water.", "mix": "Well-drained indoor mix with extra perlite.", "feed": "Minimal fertilizer; slow growth is normal.", "propagation": "Division or leaf cuttings, slowly.", "watch": "Yellowing stems often mean the plant stayed wet too long.", "petNote": "Do not allow pets or kids to chew it.", "skill": "Learn storage organs and slow-growth patience.", "sourceLabel": "Penn State Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants" }, { "slug": "monstera", "name": "Monstera", "scientific": "Monstera deliciosa", "archetype": "big-leaf climber", "light": "Bright indirect light for strong leaves and fenestration.", "lightBand": "bright", "water": "Water when the upper mix dries; keep evenly moist but never swampy.", "mix": "Chunky aroid mix: potting mix plus bark/perlite for air.", "feed": "Moderate feeding in active growth.", "propagation": "Node cuttings; aerial roots help, but the node is the key.", "watch": "Small uncut leaves usually mean low light or immature growth.", "petNote": "Keep away from chewing pets.", "skill": "Learn climbing support, pruning, and aerial roots.", "sourceLabel": "Penn State Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants" }, { "slug": "spider-plant", "name": "Spider plant", "scientific": "Chlorophytum comosum", "archetype": "offset factory", "light": "Bright indirect light; tolerates medium light.", "lightBand": "medium", "water": "Water when the top inch dries; avoid letting it sit in water.", "mix": "General indoor potting mix.", "feed": "Light feeding while producing new growth.", "propagation": "Pot or water-root the plantlets that form on runners.", "watch": "Brown tips can come from dry air, salts, or inconsistent watering.", "petNote": "Often grown as a pet-friendlier foliage option, but discourage chewing.", "skill": "Learn offsets and plantlet rooting.", "sourceLabel": "Penn State Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants" }, { "slug": "peace-lily", "name": "Peace lily", "scientific": "Spathiphyllum", "archetype": "dramatic moisture reporter", "light": "Medium indirect light; too little light reduces bloom.", "lightBand": "medium", "water": "Keep lightly moist, then water when it starts to soften or the surface dries.", "mix": "Moisture-retentive indoor mix with drainage.", "feed": "Light feeding during growth; too much can brown tips.", "propagation": "Division during repotting.", "watch": "Repeated collapse means the root zone is swinging too dry or too wet.", "petNote": "Keep away from chewing pets.", "skill": "Learn moisture rhythm and bloom expectations.", "sourceLabel": "Penn State Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants" }, { "slug": "calathea", "name": "Calathea / prayer plant", "scientific": "Goeppertia and Maranta relatives", "archetype": "humidity truth-teller", "light": "Medium indirect light; avoid direct sun on patterned leaves.", "lightBand": "medium", "water": "Keep evenly moist with good air in the mix; avoid hard drybacks.", "mix": "Fine but airy tropical mix that does not compact.", "feed": "Very dilute feeding in active growth.", "propagation": "Division, not leaf cuttings.", "watch": "Crispy edges point to dry air, salts, drought swings, or harsh sun.", "petNote": "Often chosen where pet safety matters, but still prevent chewing.", "skill": "Learn humidity, water quality, and fine-root care.", "sourceLabel": "University of Minnesota Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/growing-tropical-ferns" }, { "slug": "fern", "name": "Boston fern", "scientific": "Nephrolepis exaltata", "archetype": "thin-leaf humidity meter", "light": "Bright indirect light, away from hot direct sun.", "lightBand": "bright", "water": "Keep evenly moist; do not let the rootball crisp completely.", "mix": "Moisture-retentive but draining mix.", "feed": "Light, regular feeding during growth.", "propagation": "Division or runners depending on type.", "watch": "Leaflet drop means the plant dried too much, sat too hot, or lacked humidity.", "petNote": "Usually a pet-friendlier classic, but avoid chewing messes.", "skill": "Learn humidity, consistency, and fine foliage.", "sourceLabel": "University of Minnesota Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/growing-tropical-ferns" }, { "slug": "african-violet", "name": "African violet", "scientific": "Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia", "archetype": "windowsill bloomer", "light": "Bright indirect light; east or bright filtered windows work well.", "lightBand": "bright", "water": "Keep evenly moist but avoid cold water on leaves; bottom watering can help.", "mix": "Light, porous African violet mix.", "feed": "Dilute fertilizer for bloom during active growth.", "propagation": "Leaf cuttings with petiole.", "watch": "No flowers usually means low light, cold, crowding, or nutrient imbalance.", "petNote": "Keep leaves from becoming a snack even when considered gentle.", "skill": "Learn bloom culture and leaf propagation.", "sourceLabel": "University of Minnesota Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/african-violets" }, { "slug": "succulent", "name": "Succulent / cactus", "scientific": "Mixed drought-adapted genera", "archetype": "bright-window desert lesson", "light": "Very bright light; many need direct sun indoors to stay compact.", "lightBand": "bright", "water": "Water deeply, then let the mix dry thoroughly.", "mix": "Gritty cactus mix with excellent drainage.", "feed": "Sparse feeding in active growth.", "propagation": "Offsets, pads, stem pieces, or callused leaves depending on plant.", "watch": "Stretching and pale growth mean not enough light.", "petNote": "Spines and sap can injure; place thoughtfully.", "skill": "Learn full dryback, callusing, and light hunger.", "sourceLabel": "University of Minnesota Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/cacti-and-succulents" }, { "slug": "orchid", "name": "Moth orchid", "scientific": "Phalaenopsis", "archetype": "epiphyte teacher", "light": "Bright indirect light; leaves should be firm green, not scorched.", "lightBand": "bright", "water": "Water bark thoroughly, then let it approach dry; never let the crown sit wet.", "mix": "Orchid bark or epiphyte mix, not dense potting soil.", "feed": "Weak fertilizer during active growth.", "propagation": "Usually division or keikis, not casual cuttings.", "watch": "Wrinkled leaves can mean underwatering or dead roots, so inspect roots before adding more water.", "petNote": "Commonly treated as pet-friendlier, but keep flowers intact.", "skill": "Learn epiphytes, bark media, and root inspection.", "sourceLabel": "University of Minnesota Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/orchids" }, { "slug": "philodendron", "name": "Heartleaf philodendron", "scientific": "Philodendron hederaceum", "archetype": "teaching vine", "light": "Medium to bright indirect light; tolerates lower light with slower growth.", "lightBand": "medium", "water": "Let the surface dry before watering thoroughly.", "mix": "Loose indoor mix with drainage.", "feed": "Light feeding in spring and summer.", "propagation": "Node cuttings in water, sphagnum, or potting mix.", "watch": "Long gaps between leaves usually mean light is too low.", "petNote": "Keep away from pets and kids who chew leaves.", "skill": "Learn trailing versus climbing growth.", "sourceLabel": "Penn State Extension", "sourceUrl": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants" } ], "diagnostics": [ { "slug": "yellow-leaves", "symptom": "Yellow leaves", "likely": [ "wet roots", "old lower foliage", "low light", "nutrient stress" ], "firstChecks": [ "soil moisture at root depth", "drainage hole", "new vs old leaves", "recent move" ], "nextMove": "Check the root zone before watering again. If the pot is wet and heavy, add light/air and let it dry.", "avoid": "Do not fertilize a soggy plant to green it up." }, { "slug": "brown-tips", "symptom": "Brown tips", "likely": [ "dry air", "salt buildup", "inconsistent water", "leaf sensitivity" ], "firstChecks": [ "humidity", "fertilizer strength", "tap-water minerals", "pot drying pattern" ], "nextMove": "Trim damage for looks, flush the mix with plain water, and stabilize watering.", "avoid": "Do not mist once and call humidity solved." }, { "slug": "drooping", "symptom": "Drooping", "likely": [ "too dry", "too wet", "heat stress", "root damage" ], "firstChecks": [ "pot weight", "soil smell", "stem firmness", "temperature spike" ], "nextMove": "If dry, water thoroughly. If wet, stop watering and inspect roots if it keeps collapsing.", "avoid": "Do not keep adding water without checking whether the roots can breathe." }, { "slug": "leggy-growth", "symptom": "Leggy growth", "likely": [ "not enough light", "no pruning", "seasonal stretch" ], "firstChecks": [ "distance from window", "shadow strength", "spacing between nodes", "direction plant leans" ], "nextMove": "Move closer to brighter indirect light and prune above nodes to restart fullness.", "avoid": "Do not solve low light with more fertilizer." }, { "slug": "fungus-gnats", "symptom": "Fungus gnats", "likely": [ "constantly moist mix", "organic debris", "slow-drying pot" ], "firstChecks": [ "top inch moisture", "saucer water", "pot size", "soil surface debris" ], "nextMove": "Let the top layer dry, remove debris, improve airflow, and use sticky cards to monitor adults.", "avoid": "Do not drench every plant with pesticide before fixing the wet-soil habit." }, { "slug": "sticky-leaves", "symptom": "Sticky leaves", "likely": [ "scale", "aphids", "mealybugs", "whiteflies" ], "firstChecks": [ "undersides of leaves", "stems and nodes", "new growth", "nearby plants" ], "nextMove": "Isolate the plant, wipe leaves, identify the pest, then repeat treatment weekly until clear.", "avoid": "Do not put it back near the collection after one cleaning." }, { "slug": "no-flowers", "symptom": "No flowers", "likely": [ "too little light", "wrong season", "overpotting", "imbalanced feeding" ], "firstChecks": [ "light level", "plant maturity", "root crowding", "temperature pattern" ], "nextMove": "Increase appropriate light and learn the plant-specific bloom trigger before changing everything.", "avoid": "Do not overfeed a plant that is already in low light." }, { "slug": "root-rot", "symptom": "Root rot smell", "likely": [ "waterlogged mix", "oversized pot", "blocked drainage", "cold wet roots" ], "firstChecks": [ "black mushy roots", "sour soil smell", "standing saucer water", "pot size" ], "nextMove": "Unpot, remove dead roots, repot into fresh airy mix, and reset watering after recovery.", "avoid": "Do not reuse sour compacted soil." } ], "sources": [ { "label": "Penn State Extension - Caring for Houseplants", "url": "https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants", "role": "General indoor care principles: light, watering, fertilizer, and common culture." }, { "label": "University of Minnesota Extension - Cacti and succulents", "url": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/cacti-and-succulents", "role": "Bright-light drought-adapted care and dryback guidance." }, { "label": "University of Minnesota Extension - African violets", "url": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/african-violets", "role": "Blooming windowsill plant care and propagation." }, { "label": "University of Minnesota Extension - Orchids", "url": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/orchids", "role": "Epiphyte care, bark media, light, and watering rhythm." }, { "label": "University of Minnesota Extension - Tropical ferns", "url": "https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/growing-tropical-ferns", "role": "Humidity and even-moisture care for thin-leaf tropicals." } ], "adjacent": { "nature": "https://pointcast.xyz/nature", "natureJson": "https://pointcast.xyz/nature.json", "gardenChannel": "https://pointcast.xyz/c/garden", "local": "https://pointcast.xyz/local", "localJson": "https://pointcast.xyz/local.json" } }