29 plants · hot-weather plan · 24°C indoors

Your houseplant care calendar

A practical routine for an east–west-facing home. The calendar tells you when to check. The soil test on each plant tells you whether to water.

One rule for every pot

Water thoroughly, let excess run out, then empty the saucer or decorative cover. Never leave roots standing in water.

Repeat each week

The weekly rhythm

Monday

Moisture-first round

#3 Sweet basil · #15 Spikemoss · #21 Baby’s tears

Check these every Monday even if they were watered recently. Baby’s tears and spikemoss should never become crisp.

Tuesday

Ferns & humidity

#16 Lemon button fern · #22 Bird’s nest fern · #24 Asparagus fern

Check the root ball and remove dead fronds. Water only when each plant reaches its soil trigger.

Wednesday

Tropical foliage

#2 Fishbone prayer plant · #9 Spider plant · #12 Philodendron Brasil · #13 Poinsettia · #14 Curly spider plant · #17 Heartleaf philodendron · #18 Swiss cheese plant · #20 Golden pothos · #25 Croton · #28 Philodendron Brasil

This is the main weekly check for prayer plants, climbers, spider plants, poinsettia and croton.

Thursday

Fast second check

#3 Sweet basil · #15 Spikemoss · #16 Lemon button fern · #21 Baby’s tears · #24 Asparagus fern

During the current 24°C spell, moisture-loving plants may need a second check. Do not automatically water them all.

Friday

Trailing plants

#8 White striped inch plant · #10 Watermelon dischidia · #11 Zebra inch plant

Check moisture, remove dead growth and look for pests while handling the vines.

Saturday

Dry-tolerant plants

#1 Flaming Katy · #4 Ox-tongue succulent · #5 Dragon tree · #6 Cylindrical snake plant · #7 Jade plant · #19 Jade plant · #23 Eve’s needle cactus · #26 Baby rubber plant · #27 Variegated snake plant · #29 Baby rubber plant

Check weekly but expect many to remain dry for two or three weeks. Never add a token splash.

Sunday

Reset

Empty every saucer and cover pot, rotate light-seeking plants, wipe leaves and record anything watered. No routine watering today.

When the hot spell ends: keep the same check days, but expect watering intervals to lengthen. In winter, most plants will need substantially less water.

Do these first

Four plants need intervention

Plant 8

White striped inch plant

Cut away all yellow/brown growth. Take several healthy 8–10 cm tip cuttings as insurance. Check roots: trim black/mushy roots and repot if the compost smells sour or stays wet.

Open full care card ↓

Plant 10

Watermelon dischidia

Sparse vines and dieback suggest root stress or erratic watering. Remove dead vines, inspect roots and repot into a chunky orchid-style mix if the current mix is dense.

Open full care card ↓

Plant 21

Baby’s tears

Severely desiccated. Trim all crisp growth, soak once and look for fresh green shoots over 2–3 weeks. If stems are brittle throughout and no regrowth appears, replacement is more realistic.

Open full care card ↓

Plant 23

Eve’s needle cactus

Growth is elongated and sprawling from insufficient light. Give much stronger light, remove dead material and consider repotting into a heavy terracotta pot with gritty cactus mix.

Open full care card ↓

Photo-matched register

Every plant

Identification is based on visible features in the supplied photograph. Medium-confidence identifications are labelled.

Watch 01

Flaming Katy

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana · High confidence

Best position: Brightest east- or west-facing sill; a little direct sun is useful.
When to water: Top 4–5 cm dry and pot noticeably lighter. About every 10–14 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak the compost fully, let it drain, then empty the outer pots.
Health action: Two plants share this photo. Remove dead flower stems and wipe the dusty leaves. Check that the metal covers never retain water.

Watch 02

Fishbone prayer plant

Ctenanthe burle-marxii ‘Amagris’ · Medium confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light near an east window; no hot afternoon sun.
When to water: Top 1–2 cm just dry; do not let the root ball dry through. About every 4–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Water evenly with room-temperature water and drain completely. Rainwater is preferable if leaf edges brown.
Health action: Remove yellow and fully brown leaves. Curling suggests dryness, heat or low humidity; move away from the lamp and any hot draught.

Good 03

Sweet basil

Ocimum basilicum · High confidence

Best position: The brightest east- or west-facing kitchen window; several hours of sun if possible.
When to water: Surface feels dry or leaves begin to soften—never wait for a full collapse. Check daily; often every 1–3 days in current heat.
How to water: Water deeply at soil level, drain, and empty the saucer after 10 minutes.
Health action: It is crowded. Harvest/pinch above leaf pairs and consider dividing into two or three pots for longer life.

Watch 04

Ox-tongue succulent

Gasteria hybrid · Medium confidence

Best position: Bright east or west window with gentle direct sun.
When to water: Compost completely dry to the bottom. About every 14–21 days in current heat.
How to water: Remove from the cover, soak once, drain fully and return only when dripping has stopped.
Health action: The pot is large for the plant and the mix looks moisture-retentive. Repot into a smaller pot with gritty cactus mix if it stays damp beyond a week.

Good 05

Dragon tree

Dracaena marginata · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light near either aspect; keep back from harsh west sun.
When to water: Top third of the compost dry. About every 10–14 days in current heat.
How to water: Water slowly around the pot until it drains; never leave water inside the decorative pot.
Health action: Mostly healthy. Trim only fully brown tips and rotate a quarter-turn monthly for even growth.

Good 06

Cylindrical snake plant

Dracaena angolensis · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light or some east/west sun; it tolerates lower light but grows slowly.
When to water: Compost dry all the way down. About every 14–21 days in current heat.
How to water: Water the soil, not into the leaf bases; drain and empty the saucer.
Health action: Minor tip damage only. Do not use small top-up drinks.

Good 07

Jade plant

Crassula ovata · High confidence

Best position: Brightest available sill with several hours of sun.
When to water: Compost completely dry and lower leaves slightly less firm. About every 14–21 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak thoroughly, drain, then leave dry between waterings.
Health action: Healthy. Rotate regularly so the stems do not lean towards the window.

Urgent 08

White striped inch plant

Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Albovittata’ · High confidence

Best position: Very bright indirect light close to an east window; gentle morning sun is ideal.
When to water: Top 2–3 cm dry. About every 5–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Water fully, drain, and avoid keeping the crown continually wet.
Health action: Cut away all yellow/brown growth. Take several healthy 8–10 cm tip cuttings as insurance. Check roots: trim black/mushy roots and repot if the compost smells sour or stays wet.

Good 09

Spider plant

Chlorophytum comosum · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light; east window or a little back from a west window.
When to water: Top 2–3 cm dry. About every 5–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak and drain. Rainwater can reduce brown tips caused by salts.
Health action: Healthy overall. Snip brown tips cosmetically and flush the pot thoroughly once a month in summer.

Urgent 10

Watermelon dischidia

Dischidia ovata · Medium confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light very close to an east or west window.
When to water: Top half of the airy mix dry; leaves may soften slightly. About every 7–10 days in current heat.
How to water: Remove the watering globe. Soak the pot, drain thoroughly, then allow air around the roots.
Health action: Sparse vines and dieback suggest root stress or erratic watering. Remove dead vines, inspect roots and repot into a chunky orchid-style mix if the current mix is dense.

Good 11

Zebra inch plant

Tradescantia zebrina · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light with some morning or late-day sun for strong colour.
When to water: Top 2–3 cm dry. About every 5–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Water thoroughly and drain; avoid repeated small drinks.
Health action: Healthy and dense. Remove crisp leaves and shorten long bare vines; tip cuttings can be returned to the pot.

Watch 12

Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light near an east window to preserve variegation.
When to water: Top 3–5 cm dry. About every 7–10 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak evenly and let all excess drain from the inner pot.
Health action: Remove dead leaves and check whether the root ball has become hydrophobic. If water runs straight through, soak the inner pot for 15 minutes once, then drain.

Watch 13

Poinsettia

Euphorbia pulcherrima · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light close to an east or west window; avoid cold draughts.
When to water: Top 2–3 cm dry; keep lightly moist, never waterlogged. About every 4–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Water deeply, drain, and empty the cover pot.
Health action: Leggy but actively regrowing. Remove dead bracts and shorten bare stems by roughly one third to encourage branching. Wear gloves: the sap irritates skin.

Good 14

Curly spider plant

Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’ · Medium confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light; the current wall position is fine if it receives good ambient light.
When to water: Top 2–3 cm dry. About every 5–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Lift out the nursery pot, soak and drain before replacing it.
Health action: Healthy new centre growth. Confirm the hanging cover cannot collect drainage water.

Good 15

Spikemoss

Selaginella kraussiana · Medium confidence

Best position: Medium to bright indirect light; never direct sun.
When to water: Surface just beginning to dry. It should remain evenly moist. About every 2–4 days in current heat.
How to water: Water gently and evenly; do not let it stand in water. Higher humidity helps.
Health action: Small but healthy. This plant is intolerant of drying out, so prioritise it during hot weather.

Good 16

Lemon button fern

Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’ · Medium confidence

Best position: Bright indirect or filtered east light; away from radiators and dry draughts.
When to water: Top 1 cm just dry; root ball should remain lightly moist. About every 3–5 days in current heat.
How to water: Water evenly until it drains. Empty the outer pot and keep humidity moderate.
Health action: Healthy. Remove the occasional dry frond at its base.

Good 17

Heartleaf philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light; move closer to an east/west window if growth becomes sparse.
When to water: Top 3–5 cm dry. About every 7–10 days in current heat.
How to water: Water slowly across the full soil surface and drain fully.
Health action: Healthy overall. Remove yellow lower leaves, guide loose vines back to the pole and rotate monthly.

Watch 18

Swiss cheese plant

Monstera deliciosa · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light near an east or west window; give it open sky rather than a dark alcove.
When to water: Top 5 cm dry. About every 7–10 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak the root ball completely, drain, and empty the basket or cover.
Health action: Healthy leaves but stretched and unsupported. Move closer to light and add a sturdy pole or plank so future growth can climb.

Watch 19

Jade plant

Crassula ovata · High confidence

Best position: Brightest sunny sill available.
When to water: Compost completely dry and pot light. About every 14–21 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak and drain; never leave the nursery pot standing inside water.
Health action: Some pale scarring may be old damage. Wipe leaves and inspect weekly for scale insects; isolate if raised brown/white bumps can be scraped away.

Watch 20

Golden pothos

Epipremnum aureum · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light; it tolerates lower light but loses variegation.
When to water: Top 3–5 cm dry and leaves just beginning to relax. About every 7–10 days in current heat.
How to water: Water deeply and drain; remove any watering globe used for continuous moisture.
Health action: Trim brown edges and bare sections. Wipe leaves, inspect undersides for pests and root healthy cuttings to refill the pot.

Urgent 21

Baby’s tears

Soleirolia soleirolii · Medium confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light in a cooler, humid position; no direct sun.
When to water: Surface barely dry; it must not dry through. Check daily; often every 2–3 days in current heat.
How to water: If soil is dry, stand the inner pot in water for 10 minutes once, then drain. Thereafter water little and often enough to keep it evenly moist.
Health action: Severely desiccated. Trim all crisp growth, soak once and look for fresh green shoots over 2–3 weeks. If stems are brittle throughout and no regrowth appears, replacement is more realistic.

Good 22

Bird’s nest fern

Asplenium nidus · High confidence

Best position: Medium to bright indirect light; an east room is ideal.
When to water: Top 2 cm dry while the lower mix remains lightly moist. About every 5–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Water around the edge of the pot, never into the central crown, then drain.
Health action: Healthy. Keep it away from hot sun and dry air.

Urgent 23

Eve’s needle cactus

Austrocylindropuntia subulata (possibly monstrose form) · Medium confidence

Best position: Your sunniest west-facing sill; introduce stronger direct sun gradually over 7–10 days.
When to water: Compost completely dry to the bottom. About every 14–21 days in current heat.
How to water: Remove the watering globe. Soak once, drain fully and leave completely dry before repeating.
Health action: Growth is elongated and sprawling from insufficient light. Give much stronger light, remove dead material and consider repotting into a heavy terracotta pot with gritty cactus mix.

Good 24

Asparagus fern

Asparagus setaceus · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light or gentle morning sun; avoid hot west glass.
When to water: Top 1–2 cm dry; do not let it dry completely. About every 3–5 days in current heat.
How to water: Water evenly, drain, and maintain moderate humidity.
Health action: Healthy. Move it from the food tub into a stable pot with free drainage before roots become cramped.

Good 25

Croton

Codiaeum variegatum · High confidence

Best position: Very bright light near a west window, with some filtered direct sun.
When to water: Top 2–3 cm dry; avoid complete drought. About every 4–7 days in current heat.
How to water: Water thoroughly with room-temperature water, drain and keep conditions stable.
Health action: Strong colour and generally healthy. Check leaf undersides for spider mites weekly during hot, dry weather.

Good 26

Baby rubber plant

Peperomia obtusifolia · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light close to an east window; avoid intense afternoon sun.
When to water: Top half of the compost dry and leaves still firm. About every 10–14 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak once, drain fully and allow a substantial dry period.
Health action: Healthy new growth. Ensure the ceramic cover does not hold water.

Good 27

Variegated snake plant

Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light or some direct east/west sun; tolerates lower light.
When to water: Compost dry from top to bottom. About every 14–21 days in current heat.
How to water: Water the soil thoroughly, drain, and empty the saucer immediately.
Health action: Healthy. The small pot is acceptable until roots distort it; avoid overpotting.

Watch 28

Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light near an east window; stronger light supports variegation.
When to water: Top 3–5 cm dry. About every 7–10 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak evenly, drain fully and never leave water inside the outer pot.
Health action: Long bare sections show past stress. Cut back to just above healthy nodes and root the tips to create a fuller pot. Remove the watering globe.

Watch 29

Baby rubber plant

Peperomia obtusifolia · High confidence

Best position: Bright indirect light close to an east window.
When to water: Top half of the compost dry. About every 10–14 days in current heat.
How to water: Soak and drain, then let the mix dry substantially.
Health action: Inspect the dark specks under the leaves. If they wipe off like tar or you see narrow insects, isolate the plant and treat for thrips; otherwise clean the leaves and monitor weekly.