pink sygonium
outdoor/bright window moderate- light
- bright-indirect to medium light. avoid harsh direct sun (it can scorch leaves), but too little light will fade the pink and make it leggy.
- water
- care tips
- troubleshooting
basil
outdoor/bright window moderate- light
- full sun. indoors, place directly in the sunniest south-facing window. not enough light = leggy, weak growth.
- water
- keep soil evenly moist, never bone dry. water when the top layer starts to dry out. basil hates cold, soggy soil, so avoid watering late at night and make sure the pot drains well.
- care tips
- pinch growing tips weekly to keep it bushy. remove flowers as soon as they appear (flowering makes leaves bitter). grows best in warm temps (65-90°F). monthly fertilizer helps prevent yellowing.
- troubleshooting
- leggy stems usually mean the plant isn't getting enough light or needs more frequent pinching. yellow leaves can be caused by low light, cold roots, or needing a nutrient boost. black or mushy leaves are a sign of cold damage. basil also declines fast if it stays wet during cold nights. bring indoors or protect when temperatures drop.
non-variegated spider plant
indoor easy- light
- bright-indirect. north or east window, or a few feet back from a sunny one. treat leaves with care!
- water
- water when the top 1-2 cm of soil feels dry (about every 5-7 days). Water thoroughly, then empty the saucer so roots don't sit in water.
- care tips
- likes humidity and well-draining soil. fertilize lightly once a month in spring/summer. great in hanging baskets; will grow “pups” when happy.
- troubleshooting
- brown tips = usually dry air or uneven watering. fungus gnats mean soil is staying too wet. let the top layer dry more and use sticky traps. i've had better luck using a mosquito bits tea (soak bits in water for 20-30 minutes, then use that water for a few bottom-watering cycles) instead of neem oil, which this plant is sensitive to.