Houseplants Unlocked: A Guide to Thriving Indoors with Greenery (And Grace)
- Shayla Owodunni
- Oct 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 14
The Heart Behind the Houseplants
Who decided that a green thumb was required for one to partake in the joy of plant parenting? For me, this joyful journey (yes, I said joyful!) is about curiosity, connection, and care. When I started The Plant Penthouse, it was a form of escapism, a love letter to the life that houseplants brought into my home during long Minnesota winters; and before that, my 400 square foot studio in Seattle. Here's a picture of said 400 square foot studio apartment, directly from memory lane:
While many (...MANY) plants during that season of my life took the express train to heaven's gates, I would not have the knowledge I have today if I decided it just wasn't for me. Each plant became a gentle reminder to slow down, check in, and find beauty in the often overlooked details. I look at it like this, fresh-cut flowers have a truncated life, and yet, I've always found joy in bringing home bouquets. Yes, houseplants have the ability to live beyond a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers, but what if they don't? Whether your home is a city studio or sun-filled loft, a country cottage or a suburban dwelling, every space has the potential to feel alive; and every person has the ability to nurture life. I'd love to share what I've learned over the years to give you the cliff notes and confidence boost to stay the course.
Welcome to Houseplants Unlocked.
The Foundation of Plant Parenthood: Light, Water, & Soil
Your indoor jungle deserves to thrive, not just survive! Let's get started.
LIGHT
Understanding light is such a significant part of your plant parenting journey, and I'm here to shout that to the rooftops!
With less natural daylight and sun rays not as strong as in our warmer months, it’s time to maximize light. A wonderful place to begin is by paying attention to direction (south and west windows bring brightness; north and east offer softer, indirect light). When we buy a new plant, the care label will often include lighting requirements, but what do they even mean?
Allow me to explain:
Bright Direct (6+ hrs/day): Sunlight hits the leaves directly, which is ideal for succulents, cacti, Birds of Paradise, and my friend the Fiddle Leaf Fig. This is never one size fits all, so if you find your direct light is capable of causing sunburn, slide your plants back, because it could burn your plant babies, too!
Bright Indirect (4–6 hrs/day): Soft, filtered light from south or west windows; perfect for Monsteras, Philodendrons, and Peace Lilies.
Medium Light (2–4 hrs/day): Within a few feet of a bright window. This lighting is lovely for plants like your ZZ, Snake Plant, and Calathea.
Low Light (0–2 hrs/day): Ambient illumination only; think Cast Iron Plants or Ferns, but also, in my experience Pothos, Heartleaf Philodendron, ZZ and even some of my Hoya varieties tolerate low-light areas of my home. If you are set on placing plants in low light, you can expect them to grow leggier and not as full. To avoid that pattern, I rotate my plants in and out of low-light to maximize growth.
Does this still sound like a foreign language? If so, try the paper shadow test: Hold up a white sheet of paper where you are standing and place your hand in front. A clear shadow means bright light; a fuzzy one indicates indirect.
With your bright light loving plants, the reason we seek to maximize the light they receive is simply so they can capture as much energy as possible. If maximizing natural light is not possible, you can replace lamp light bulbs with grow light bulbs! Use them to extend, or mirror, the light similar to what they’d get in the summer months. Onward!
TEMPERATURE
As the temperatures drop, cold air settles in, and internal heat sources rise, consider any potential window drafts and/or heating conundrums to protect your plants. This might include sealing drafty windows and moving plants away from heat vents and fireplaces.
WATER & MOISTURE (more on this topic here)
Step one:
Retire the strict care schedule.
Step two:
Use the touch test: water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. Don’t trust yourself just yet? OR don't enjoy the guess and check journey? Consider a moisture meter. Overwatering is one of the #1 plant heartbreaks, especially during the winter months.
See pooled water in your planter after you give your plant babies a drink? Empty the base saucer after 15 minutes to prevent root rot.
In winter, you can expect to reduce your watering because less sunlight means slower growth. Since winter is not peak growing season for plants, they are not using as much
energy, and thus, do not need as much water! Cutting back on watering helps
avoid root rot. You'll thank me later!
Plant Penthouse Hot Take: Misting your plants doesn’t increase humidity (yes, I said it). Instead, use pebble trays with water or grouping to create a microclimate. Better yet? Turn on a humidifier. Mayo clinic recommends keeping your home 30-50% humidity. What is yours at today...? *eyes*
When Your Plant Throws a Tantrum...
My equation: Be slow to panic + quick observe > overreact. Plants teach us how to take feedback, and overcome (often perceived) failure. Just as in our own everyday lives, plant growth isn’t linear, it’s seasonal!
Think of each symptom as a nudge for nurturing: Yellow leaves? Brown tips? Leggy stems? Plants frequently communicate; we just have to listen.
Yellow leaves: Consider a case of overwatering, or natural aging.
Brown tips: Usually tap-water minerals or dry air.
Leggy growth: Not enough light. Make a plan to rotate, relocate or supplement with grow lights.
We will save repotting for another day, but to touch on soil quickly, I'll say this:
Choose the right foundation. Tropical plants love airy potting mix; succulents and cacti need faster-draining blends. And always, always ensure drainage holes or a pebble layer at the bottom. If you want an expert opinion, I always recommend visiting a local greenhouse.
Growth Pro Tip:
Rotate your plants weekly for even growth, and wipe leaves monthly to keep them breathing freely.
THE CLEAN ROUTINE
I could start and end this by saying: STAY VIGILANT. Wipe down leaves with a damp cloth every 3-4 weeks. I add a few drops of Castile soap to my water, and don’t forget to also clean your windows! Why, you ask? Because while we collect plants, plants collect dust…and pests. Proper cleaning also allows plants to best absorb light as they undergo photosynthesis!
OH, Pests...
Mealy bugs, spider mites, thrips, oh my. Preventative pest control is the best control, particularly during our winter months because these little guys love a dry, warm environment. I honestly feel like they show up like ghosts in the night and love nooks and crannies!
Here are my top tricks to stay on the winning team:
Remember to quarantine new plants, monitoring the leaves and soil. I am speaking from experience because I once brought an outdoor banana leaf tree indoors and had PROBLEMS. When infestation strikes, I have had success with Mite x bonide spray and insecticidal soaps too, with one caveat: check your solution because not all pest prevention is pet friendly.
Shayla’s SOS Kit: Bonide insecticidal soap and or Neem oil for pests, a damp cloth for dust, and a healthy dose of patience...for you.
Pet-Friendly Plant Parenting (...more on this here)
If your home includes furry companions, safety is essential. For starters, avoid toxic varieties like Monstera, Philodendron, or Dieffenbachia, and try these non-toxic favorites:
Spider Plant
Peperomia (all varieties)
Ponytail Palm
Bird’s Nest Fern
Orchids
🐾 For emergencies, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435.
Living with Plants, Not for Them
I cannot stress this enough: Integrate your plants into your lifestyle.
Busy week? Stick with resilient “low-drama” plants: Snake, ZZ, or Pothos.
Feeling creative? Try a colorful Bromeliad or Anthurium.
Craving calm? Create a quiet ritual of plant care before you start your day.
Don't be ashamed to reach out for help. As a Hennepin County Master Gardener, might I suggest an online stroll to Ask A Master Gardener?
And lastly, if you need a routine to remember, meet the 5-Minute Plant Parent Reset:
Dust leaves.
Rotate ¼ turn.
Check topsoil.
Trim brown tips.
Breathe. You’re doing better than you think.
With every step of newfound knowledge, you’re creating a rhythm of care that extends far beyond your greenery. So, go easy on yourself, plant parents. You’re growing, too. <3
About the Author,
Your Plant Penthouse Concierge
Shayla Owodunni is founder and Creative Director of The Plant Penthouse, a flora-inspired interiors and lifestyle brand where design, plants, and creativity converge to inspire connection and intention.
Named as one of Apartment Therapy's 2025 Design Changemakers, with features including HGTV, The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities Live, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Artful Living, Wit & Delight, Minnesota Star Tribune, Midwest Home, CBS Minnesota, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Shayla is a trusted voice in houseplant care, interiors, and styling. She helps both aspiring and seasoned plant parents build thriving indoor jungles with practical, actionable advice for incorporating nature into everyday life.
With a passion for educating and creating green spaces, Shayla empowers her community to cultivate beautiful, authentic environments with purpose and panache.