Growing plants is an incredibly rewarding hobby. Whether you have a small patio, a sprawling garden, or a cozy living room that could use a touch of greenery, it’s a wonderful way to connect with nature.
However, many new plant owners quickly run into frustration when their plants fail to thrive—or worse, die unexpectedly. The good news? Most of these issues are easy to avoid once you know what to look out for. We spoke with the experts to uncover the most common mistakes new plant owners make—and how to fix them.
Picking the Wrong Plants
Your dream garden might be filled with blooming hydrangea bushes, but if you travel for work three out of four weeks a month, this is a dream that’s unlikely to come true. Amy Enfield, Ph.D., senior horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro, tells me new plant owners frequently choose the wrong plants for both their lifestyle and the local environment. “Be realistic about how much time you have to dedicate to plant care and consider your home’s temperature, light, and humidity levels before plant shopping,” she says.
Lastly, she advises starting with beginner-friendly, forgiving plants like snake plants, zz plants, or pothos. “If your new plant is constantly struggling despite your best efforts, it might just not be the right plant for your lifestyle,” she says. “Don’t feel bad about rehoming it and trying a different plant option that’s a better match.”
Skipping out on Spacing Requirements
Brett Kessler, landscape architect and founder of Tract Workshop, says that one of the biggest mistakes new plant owners make is forgetting their plants’ spacing requirements. “I have seen this happen on both ends of the spectrum, and it can lead to dead plants,” she says. “Your new plant may appear small when you put it in the ground, but you need to be aware of its mature size and space it accordingly. Spacing plants too close together forces them to compete with one another for resources, such as air, water, sunlight, and nutrients. Inevitably, one of the plants loses out to another, stronger plant.”
On the other hand, spacing your plants too far apart can also cause issues because, like people, plants thrive in a community. “In a community, plants provide each other with structure, shelter, and appropriately dense plantings can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds,” Kessler explains.
Potting Improperly
Potting a plant properly is crucial for it to thrive. “Common potting mistakes include using the wrong soil, choosing a pot that’s too large or too small, or using a decorative pot without drainage holes,” says Enfield.
In general, she suggests going with a pot that is only one to two inches larger in diameter than its current container. “For example, if you buy a new plant in a 4-inch pot, select a pot that is 5-6 inches in diameter,” Enfield says.
But if that pot lacks drainage holes, it’s best for newbies to add a different one to their cart. “Or, if you’re using a decorative pot without drainage, keep your new plant in its nursery pot and remove it from its decorative container before watering, allowing the excess water to drain away,” Enfield says.
Not Repotting
Plants will eventually outgrow their pots, and according to Enfield, if they’re not replanted (whether annually or every other year based on how fast the plant grows), their roots become compacted, making it harder to keep them properly watered and provide the right amount of nutrients.
If you aren’t sure if your plant needs to be repotted, Enfield suggests watching for signs such as the roots growing out of drainage holes, slowed growth, constant wilting, or water pouring straight through the pot because there’s not enough soil left to absorb it.
Most houseplants also benefit from being repotted every one to two years. “The best time to repot is spring and early summer when they’re growing most rapidly,” Enfield says.
Overlooking Light Needs
Enfield reveals that new plant owners often forget about light needs. “A low-light plant doesn’t mean a no-light plant, and direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of many indoor plants,” she explains. “Like watering needs, do a little research on your plant to see what light environment it prefers: bright, direct light, bright, indirect light, medium light, or low light.”
Forgetting the Fertilizer
Forgetting to fertilize is a big mistake for both indoor and outdoor plants. “This can be especially important for potted plants,” Kessler says. “Their soil supply is limited to what is in their container, so it’s necessary to replenish those nutrients regularly. Every spring, I fertilize my raised vegetable beds with organic compost, rejuvenating the soil. My indoor plants get liquid fertilizer every two months, which I add to their water.”
If you have a hard time remembering to fertilize your houseplants, she suggests trying a pellet fertilizer that dissolves over a longer time period.
Overwatering
Because many new plant owners are afraid to underwater, they end up overwatering, which can be even more problematic. “Overwatering is arguably the most common killer of houseplants,” Enfield says. “Enthusiastic new plant owners may over-love their plants, leading to watering too frequently.”
If you make this mistake, she suggests giving the soil sufficient time to dry out. “In severe cases of overwatering, such as the plant wilting while the soil is wet, you will need to inspect the roots for rot, trim away any mushy, brown roots, and repot in fresh soil,” Enfield says.
Underwatering
Underwatering can also be an issue, especially if you’re still in the process of assessing your plant’s watering needs. “Underwatering can cause wilting, brown leaf tips, and stunted growth,” says Enfield. “Give your plants a thorough watering until water runs out the drainage hole. If the soil is really dry—pulling away from the sides of the container—place the plant in a dish of water and allow the soil to soak it up through the drainage holes for up to an hour. After an hour, remove any remaining water.”
