Know your space

Check your light

Stand where your plant will live and look toward the window.

• Bright indirect light: you can see a lot of sky, but the sun doesn't land on the leaves for long. Most tropical plants love this.
• Medium light: a few feet back from a bright window, or a window facing a covered patio.
• Lower light: far from windows, or a window blocked by trees or buildings. Stick with our Low Light collection, or add a grow light.
• Direct sun: sun hits the spot for hours. In Tucson this can scorch tropical leaves, so choose tougher plants or add a sheer curtain.

Quick test: at midday, hold your hand a foot above the spot. A crisp, dark shadow means bright light. A soft, fuzzy shadow means medium. Barely any shadow means low light.

Light matters most for a plant's health, so if your favorite spot is too dim, a good grow light can turn it into bright light.

Know your humidity

Most homes sit around 30–50% humidity. Air gets drier in winter when the heat is on, and in desert climates like ours in Tucson it can stay below 30% for much of the year. A simple hygrometer, just a few dollars, tells you your number. Many tropical plants come from rainforests with far more moisture in the air.

• Average to dry air (40% or lower): shop AZ Friendly and Humidity Heroes.
• Have a humidifier (40–60%+), or a bright bathroom? Humidity Lovers will be happy there.
• Want the fussy beauties? A terrarium or glass cabinet keeps humidity steady. Shop Terrarium and Humidity Lovers.

Not sure of your number? Grab a mini hygrometer on our site, or free on orders of $50 or more.

Tip: grouping plants together helps them share moisture. Misting doesn't raise humidity for long, so we don't recommend it.

Be honest about your routine

• Busy or forgetful? Choose Easy Care.
• Love checking on your plants? You're ready for pickier plants and our Rare & Unique finds.

Match the plant to the spot

• Read the listing: every plant tells you the light, water and humidity it loves.
• Match it: pick the plant whose needs fit what you checked above.