Houseplant Care's 7 Deadly Sins (And How to Repent)

Featured Image Caption: Top View Tender Old Leaves Arranged

You water your plants. You give them sunlight. You even talk to them. But despite your best efforts, they’re still dying. What if your care routine is secretly sinful? Let’s uncover the 7 Deadly Sins of Houseplant Care-and how to save your plants before it’s too late.

Gluttony: Overwatering & Poor Soil Choices

What’s the Sin?

Gluttony isn’t just about watering too much—it’s about using soil that acts like a wet sponge. Cheap, dense soil traps water around the roots, suffocating them even if you’re careful with your watering can.

Why It’s Deadly

Roots need air as much as water. When soil stays soggy, roots rot and turn black.
Fungus gnats (tiny black flies) flock to damp soil and lay eggs, creating an infestation.

How to Repent

Test Before Watering: Push your finger 2 inches into the soil. If it feels damp, wait!
Choose the Right Soil: Swap heavy, clumpy soil for a lightweight mix like Plantarin’s Indoor Potting Soil. It’s fluffy, drains quickly, and gives roots room to breathe.
Seasonal Tip: Water half as often in winter. Plants “sleep” during colder months and drink less.

Simple Fix Example

Your peace lily droops, so you water it—but it droops more. Instead of watering again, check the soil. If it’s wet, repot it in fresh, airy soil to save the roots.

Pride: Ignoring Your Plant’s True Needs

What’s the Sin?

Pride is buying a plant because it’s trendy or looks pretty—not because it suits your home. For example, buying a fiddle-leaf fig for a dark room because you saw it on Instagram, even though it needs bright light.

Why It’s a Problem

Plants have specific needs. A sun-loving cactus in a shady corner will stretch toward the light, grow weak, and eventually die. A tropical plant in a dry room will crisp up like a potato chip.

How to Fix It

Research Before Buying: Google the plant’s needs. Ask: “How much light does it need? Does it like humidity?”
Match Plants to Your Space:
- Bright, Sunny Windows: Succulents, cacti, or herbs.
- Low-Light Corners: Snake plants, ZZ plants, or pothos.
- Humid Rooms (like bathrooms): Ferns or orchids.
Seasonal Tip: In winter, move plants closer to windows to catch weak sunlight.

Example:

You bought a fiddle-leaf fig because it’s trendy, but your apartment has only one small window. Its leaves start dropping. Instead of forcing it to survive, swap it for a low-light-friendly snake plant.

Wrath: Harsh Sunlight & Fertilizer Burns

What’s the Sin?

Wrath is blasting your plants with too much sun or drowning them in fertilizer, thinking “more is better.”

Why It’s a Problem

Too much direct sunlight burns leaves, leaving brown, crispy patches. Over-fertilizing is like force-feeding your plant—it can’t digest all the nutrients, so salts build up in the soil and burn the roots.

How to Fix It

Filter Harsh Sunlight: Use sheer curtains to soften direct afternoon sun.
Fertilize Less: Plants in low light need very little fertilizer. Use half the recommended dose.
Flush the Soil: If you’ve over-fertilized, pour water through the soil to wash out excess salts.
Seasonal Tip: Fertilize only in spring and summer. Plants rest in fall and winter.

Example:

Your orchid’s leaves turn red or yellow? It’s sunburned! Move it away from the window or add a sheer curtain to protect it.

Sloth: Neglect & Dusty Leaves

What’s the Sin?

Sloth is forgetting to water for weeks, ignoring pests, or letting dust build up on leaves.

Why It’s a Problem

Dust blocks sunlight, so leaves can’t make food. Pests like spider mites and mealybugs multiply quickly on neglected plants, sucking sap and spreading disease.

How to Fix It

Set Reminders: Use a phone app like Planta to track watering schedules.
Wipe Leaves Monthly: Use a damp cloth to gently clean leaves. This helps them absorb more light.
Check for Pests: Look under leaves for tiny bugs or sticky residue.
Seasonal Tip: Pests thrive in summer. Inspect plants weekly during warm months.

Example:

Your monstera’s leaves look dull and dusty. After wiping them with a damp cloth, they’ll shine and soak up sunlight better.

Envy: Copying Trends Blindly

What’s the Sin?

Envy is buying expensive, trendy plants (like variegated monsteras) just because everyone else has them, even if they don’t suit your home.

Why It’s a Problem

Trendy plants are often fussy and expensive. For example, variegated monsteras need bright light and high humidity—conditions most beginners can’t provide.

How to Fix It

Start with Easy Plants: Pothos, snake plants, or spider plants are cheap and hard to kill.
Propagate: Ask friends for cuttings instead of buying expensive plants.
Seasonal Tip: Propagate in spring when plants grow fastest.

Example:

You killed a $100 variegated monstera? Try propagating a pothos cutting from a friend. It’s free and grows like a weed!

Lust: Over-Loving with Repotting

What’s the Sin?

Lust is repotting your plants too often, thinking they’ll grow faster.

Why It’s a Problem

Repotting stresses plants. Roots need time to adjust to new soil, and disturbing them too often can stunt growth.

How to Fix It

Repot Only When Needed: Check if roots are growing out of the drainage holes or circling the pot.
Use Good Soil: Always repot with well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Seasonal Tip: Repot in spring or summer when plants are actively growing.

Example:

Your fern died after repotting twice in 6 months. Next time, wait until roots are crowded and poking out of the pot.

Greed: Hoarding Plants Without Space

What’s the Sin?

Greed is cramming too many plants into a small space, blocking light and airflow.

Why It’s a Problem

Crowded plants compete for light and air. Poor airflow leads to mold, and pests spread quickly between plants.

How to Fix It

Declutter: Gift extras to friends or donate to a local school.
Prioritize: Keep plants that thrive in your space and let go of the rest.
Seasonal Tip: Rotate plants in winter so all sides get equal light.

Example:

Your crowded shelf has moldy soil and yellow leaves. Remove half the plants, and watch the others perk up with better light and airflow.

How to Repent and Save Your Plants

Start with Soil: Replace heavy, soggy soil with Plantarin’s Indoor Potting Soil to fix overwatering.
Right Plant, Right Place: Choose plants that match your home’s light and humidity.
Less is More: Water, sunlight, and fertilizer in moderation.

Final Tip: Plants are like people—they thrive with consistency, not extremes.

By Tahmid Rahman
Pro Gardener & Plant Whisperer | Turning brown thumbs green since 2015 🌿 When I’m not elbow-deep in soil, I spill plant secrets on Plantarin – where I dish out unconventional hacks, rare propagation tricks, and care guides that even your fussiest fiddle-leaf fig will love.

Member since April, 2025
View all the articles of Tahmid Rahman.