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Notes from the potting bench
Useful, specific pieces on growing things well — comparisons, seasonal checklists, and the occasional myth-bust.
Sticky Leaves, Webbing & Gnats: A Houseplant Pest Identification Table
Sticky residue, fine webbing, and small flying insects each point to a different pest — and each one needs a different treatment. Here's how to tell them apart fast.
July 4, 2026comparisonChristmas Cactus vs. Easter Cactus: Telling the Holiday Cacti Apart
Both are flat-segmented jungle cacti that bloom on a schedule, not a whim. Here's how to tell which one you have and how their care actually differs.
June 30, 2026diagnosticLeggy, Stretching Plants: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Long gaps between leaves, pale new growth, a plant leaning hard toward the window — it's called etiolation, and it has one cause and one real fix.
June 27, 2026techniqueRoot Rot Rescue: The Emergency Guide
Once roots have actually started to rot, drying out the soil isn't enough. Here's the full surgical rescue — and an honest read on when a plant is too far gone.
June 23, 2026diagnosticRoot Rot vs. Overwatering: How to Tell Which One You're Dealing With
Every case of root rot starts as overwatering, but not every overwatered plant has rotting roots yet. Here's how to tell whether you still have time to fix it from the soil up.
June 20, 2026comparisonGolden Pothos vs. Heartleaf Philodendron: How to Tell Them Apart and Which to Grow
Two near-identical trailing vines, side by side — the leaf details that tell them apart, and how to pick the right one for your room.
June 16, 2026comparisonCalathea vs. Prayer Plant (Maranta): What Sets These Living-Art Plants Apart
Both fold their leaves up at night and both demand humidity, but they're different genera with different personalities. Here's how to tell them apart and pick the right one.
June 13, 2026dataThe Easiest (and Hardest) Houseplants, Ranked From Our Care Database
We ranked every species in our care database by real care demands — not marketing copy. 107 out of 146 rated plants are beginner-friendly; a handful are genuinely fussy.
June 9, 2026diagnosticDrooping or Wilting Plant: The Fast Diagnostic
A drooping plant is either thirsty, drowning, or in shock — and each one calls for the opposite response. Here's the quick test that tells them apart.
June 6, 2026comparisonFiddle Leaf Fig vs. Rubber Plant: Which Statement Ficus Should You Grow?
Both are big-leafed, tree-like ficus houseplants prized by interior designers. One is famously fussy; the other is famously forgiving. Here's the real difference.
June 2, 2026techniqueRepotting Without Killing Your Plant: The Complete Guide
Repotting stresses a plant more than almost anything else you'll do to it. Here's how to time it, size it, and handle the roots so the plant barely notices.
May 30, 2026diagnosticBrown Tips vs. Brown Spots on Houseplants: What Each One Means
Brown at the very tip of a leaf and a brown spot in the middle are almost never the same problem. Here's how to read each pattern correctly.
May 26, 2026comparisonSnake Plant vs. ZZ Plant: The Low-Light Showdown
Two of the most drought-tolerant, low-light houseplants in existence, often recommended interchangeably. Here's what actually separates them.
May 23, 2026dataWhich Houseplants Are Actually Toxic to Cats and Dogs? The Complete ASPCA-Checked Table
We checked every plant in our care database against the ASPCA toxic-plant list. 117 out of 276 carry a toxicity flag — including several plants people assume are safe.
May 19, 2026techniquePlant Propagation: The Complete Method Guide
Stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, division, and offsets each work for a different kind of plant. Here's how to pick the right method and actually get roots.
May 16, 2026comparisonMonstera Deliciosa vs. Monstera Adansonii: Which Swiss Cheese Plant Should You Grow?
Same nickname, same punched-leaf look, very different plants at maturity. Here's how the two compare and which fits your space.
May 12, 2026diagnosticYellow Leaves on Houseplants: The Complete Diagnostic
Six causes of yellow leaves look almost identical at first glance. Here's the pattern each one leaves behind, and how to confirm which you're dealing with.
May 9, 2026The weekly note
Get a little greener every week
What to plant, water, and watch for this week — one short email, free.