Your complete guide to caring for house plants · Emad Khela

Most house plants do not die of neglect. They die of enthusiasm — usually too much water.

Start with light, not water

Before you buy, look at where the plant will actually live. A monstera in a dim hallway will survive but never grow; a snake plant in the same spot will be perfectly happy. Match the plant to the corner you have, not the corner you wish you had.

Water less than you think

Push a finger two centimetres into the soil. If it comes out damp, wait. Most indoor plants in Egypt need water once a week in summer and once every two weeks in winter.

Dust the leaves

Leaves breathe. A soft damp cloth once a month makes a visible difference to growth, especially on large glossy leaves like rubber plants and monstera.

Repot when roots appear

When roots push out of the drainage holes, move up one pot size — no more. A pot that is too large holds water the roots cannot reach and causes rot.