Plant library
The plant library
Every houseplant comes from somewhere, and where it grows wild explains most of what it wants from you. A Monstera climbing rainforest trees wants bright, filtered light and room to climb. An Alocasia from humid forest floors sulks in dry air. A Fiddle Leaf Fig hates being moved because it spends weeks adjusting its leaves to the light it has. Pothos, from tropical islands, shrugs off most of what a beginner throws at it.
The plant library gathers that knowledge by species. Each guide starts with how to identify the plant, because a lot of care advice goes wrong at the first step: Pothos and Heartleaf Philodendron are sold under each other's names all the time, and they don't want quite the same things. Then there's a care table for light, water, humidity, temperature and pet safety, the problems that species is most prone to, and links to our longer guides when you need the full fix. Every guide is a quick reference you can scan in a minute.
We're starting with the plants people ask us about most and adding more over time. If yours isn't here yet, the fastest way to find out what it is and how to care for it is to identify it from a photo.
Species care guides
Popular houseplants
Plant Guides
Heartleaf Philodendron Care Guide (and How to Tell It From Pothos)
How to identify a Heartleaf Philodendron, tell it apart from Pothos, and care for it: medium to bright indirect light, even watering and moderate humidity.
Plant Guides
Alocasia Care Guide: Light, Water, Humidity and Spider Mites
How to identify an Alocasia and keep it happy: bright indirect light, evenly moist soil, high humidity, warmth, and how to spot spider mites and dormancy.
Plant Guides
Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide: Light, Water and Leaf Drop
How to identify a Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) and care for it: bright light, water when the top 5 cm is dry, a spot it can stay in, and why leaves drop.
Plant Guides
Pothos Care Guide: How to Identify and Grow Devil's Ivy
How to identify Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), tell it apart from Philodendron, and keep it full and green: light, watering, cuttings and fixes for yellow leaves.
Plant Guides
Mastering Monstera Deliciosa: A Comprehensive Care Guide
Discover the secrets to growing a thriving Monstera deliciosa by understanding its needs for light, water, and support. Train your plant to reach its full potential.
Identify it with a photo
Don't know what you've got? Take a photo in OFPlants and Tad names your plant in seconds, tells you if it's toxic to cats and dogs, and gives you a care guide for light, watering, temperature and humidity.
How the OFPlants plant care app works →
Get it onGoogle PlayPlant identification questions
How do I identify a houseplant?
Start with the leaves: their shape, texture, how they attach to the stem, and whether the plant vines, climbs or grows upright. A clear photo of a healthy leaf and the whole plant is usually enough for a plant identifier app to name it.
What's the difference between Pothos and Philodendron?
Heartleaf Philodendron leaves are thinner, softer and distinctly heart-shaped, and new leaves emerge from a sheath called a cataphyll. Pothos leaves are thicker and waxier, with a ridge running along the new leaf, and grow without a sheath.
Which houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs?
Many popular ones, including Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron, Alocasia and Fiddle Leaf Fig. Their sap and tissue irritate the mouth and stomach. Keep them out of reach of pets that chew plants and contact a vet if your pet eats one.
What are the easiest houseplants to care for?
Pothos is one of the most forgiving: it tolerates lower light and the odd missed watering. Heartleaf Philodendron is similar. Monstera is easy too once it has bright, indirect light. Alocasia and Fiddle Leaf Fig are fussier.
Why does my plant look different from the photos online?
Light, age and growing conditions change how a plant looks. Low light makes leaves smaller and stems leggier, and young Monsteras don't have splits yet. Some plants are also sold under the wrong name.