### Complete Guide to Potted Plant Care: 10 Essential Tips from Basics to Advanced

1. Basic Preparation: Choose the Right Flower Pot and Soil
The healthy growth of potted plants depends first on suitable containers and breathable soil:
- Pot selection: Prefer pots with large drainage holes at the bottom (to avoid water accumulation and root rot); the size of the pot should match the plant's root system (small plants use small pots, large plants use deep pots).
- Soil requirements:
- General principle: The soil needs to be breathable and well-drained (you can mix leaf mold, peat soil, river sand, or perlite in a ratio of about 3:2:1).
- Targeted adjustments:
- Asparagus fern: requires clean, loose soil (avoid dirty soil to prevent root rot);
- Red palm: Use leaf mold + crushed pond mud + fine river sand + wood ash (ratio 4:2:2:1), ensuring sufficient nutrients;
- Succulent plants: Use granular soil (perlite + vermiculite + coconut coir) to enhance drainage.

2. Watering Tips: Mastering the "degree" is key
Watering is the "lifeline" of potted plant maintenance, and the core principle is to "observe the plant's habits and the moisture of the soil:"
- Watering strategies for different plants (from ):
| Plant Type | Watering Principle | Example |
|----------------|------------------------|----------------------|
Water-loving plants | Water when dry (water when the surface is dry) | Pothos, Peace Lily, Schefflera |
Drought-resistant plants | Prefer dry to wet (potting soil slightly dry) | Money tree, succulents, cactus |
Neutral plants | Water thoroughly when dry (water thoroughly after the potting soil is completely dry) | Peace tree, happiness tree, asparagus fern |
- Watering time (from ):
- Spring, Autumn, Winter: 10 AM or 4 PM (water temperature close to soil temperature);
- Summer: Avoid high temperatures at noon (which can lead to "physiological drought"), choose early morning or evening.
- Water temperature control: The water temperature should not differ from the soil temperature by more than 5℃ (use water at 15-20℃ in winter, and use room temperature tap water in summer).
- Special case handling:
- Drought wilting: First spray the leaves 2-3 times (to alleviate stress), then water in small amounts, and water thoroughly after the roots recover;
- Summer potting soil cracking: Water in two sessions (the first time to close the soil cracks, the second time to saturate).

3. Lighting Management: Positioning According to Habits
Plants have varying light requirements and should be placed according to their preference for sunlight or shade.
- Sun-loving plants (require more than 6 hours of direct sunlight): place on the south balcony (such as sunflowers, blue snowflakes, dwarf petunias, and milan);
- Semi-shade plants (require 3-6 hours of scattered light): Place on East/West balcony (such as azaleas, camellias, and crab claw plant);
- Shade-tolerant plants (require 1-3 hours of scattered light): Place on a north-facing balcony/indoors (such as Asparagus setaceus, Monstera, Epipremnum aureum, Bird's Nest Fern).

4. Key points of fertilization: Apply light and frequent fertilizer to avoid "burning roots".
- Fertilizer Selection:
- Base fertilizer: Use organic fertilizer (such as decomposed chicken manure or sheep manure), spread it at the bottom of the pot when repotting;
- Top dressing: Use inorganic fertilizers (such as compound fertilizers, slow-release fertilizers) or liquid fertilizers (such as special liquid fertilizers for anthurium), once every 1-2 weeks during the growing season.
- Fertilization frequency (from):
- Spring and autumn growth period: apply once every 1-2 weeks;
- Summer: Properly reduce (avoid high temperatures that can burn roots);
- Winter: Apply less or not at all (plant dormancy).
- Notes:
- Beginners are advised to use slow-release granular fertilizers (such as Aogreen fertilizer), which release nutrients slowly and are less likely to burn the roots;
- Avoid strong fertilizers (concentration exceeding 0.5% can burn roots), and follow the principle of "light and frequent fertilization."

5. Temperature and Humidity: Creating a Suitable Environment
- Temperature range: The suitable growth temperature for most potted plants is 15-25℃ (from);
- Winter warmth precautions: Plants that are not cold-resistant, such as anthuriums and asparagus ferns, should be kept at temperatures above 13℃;
- Pay attention to cooling in summer: avoid high temperatures (above 32℃), and you can spray water on the ground or move to a shaded area.
- Humidity regulation:
- Humid-loving plants (such as ferns, bamboo, peace lilies): need to spray the leaves regularly (to increase air humidity);
- Drought-resistant plants (such as succulents, jade plants): avoid high humidity (prone to root rot).

6. Repotting and Pruning: Promoting Growth and Shaping
- Repotting cycle: every 2-3 years (best in late spring to early summer, from);
- Potting method:
1. Stop watering 1-2 days in advance (to facilitate pot removal);
2. Remove the plant with soil clumps (avoid damaging the roots);
3. Cut off old roots and rotten roots (to promote the growth of new roots);
4. Lay a layer of granular soil (such as broken tiles) at the bottom of the new pot, then add base fertilizer + planting soil;
5. Place the plant in, filling the soil to 2-3 centimeters below the rim of the pot (to facilitate watering);
6. Water thoroughly with "root-setting water" (to wash away harmful substances in the soil, from ).
- Trimming Techniques:
- Post-flowering pruning: Cut off spent flowers (such as roses and bougainvillea) to encourage the next bloom;
- Regular pruning: Remove weak branches, diseased branches, and excessively long branches (such as the money tree and Schefflera), to maintain an attractive plant shape.

7. Pest and Disease Control: Prevention is Key, Timely Management
- Common pests and diseases:
- Pests: aphids (sucking sap), whiteflies (harm leaves), red spiders (webbing);
- Diseases: anthracnose (leaf spots), root rot (rotten roots), leaf blight (leaf wilting).
- Prevention and control methods (from):
- Pests: Remove aphids with water, wipe leaves with alcohol for whiteflies, and spray abamectin for spider mites;
- Diseases: Cut off infected leaves and spray with 1000 times diluted Bacillus subtilis or Methyl Thiophanate for prevention.
- Preventive measures:
- Keep ventilated (avoid stuffy and humid conditions);
- Avoid overwatering (reduce the risk of root rot);
- Regular inspection (check the back of the leaves and the buds weekly).

8. Tips for Beginners: Avoiding the "Plant Killer" Misconception
1. Choose easy-to-grow plants: Beginners are advised to start with herbs (basil, mint), vegetables (greens, tomatoes), and succulents (cacti) (from ) ;
2. Record growth conditions: Take a photo every week to observe leaf color and growth rate (for example, yellowing leaves may indicate a lack of water or nutrients);
3. Avoid excessive intervention: Do not water or fertilize frequently ("Less is more");
4. Learn about plant habits: Check whether the plant "likes sunlight/shade, likes water/drought tolerant" before buying (for example, pothos is shade tolerant, money tree is drought tolerant).

Summary
The core of potted plant care is to "respect the plant's habits": choose the right soil and pot, master the "degree" of watering, provide adequate light, apply thin fertilizer regularly, repot and prune periodically, and prevent pests and diseases. As long as you do these well, even beginners can grow lush potted plants!

(Note: The above techniques are based on search results and practical experience from 2022-2024.)