The Fernhollow Journal

The Journal is where we write up the questions we get asked more than once. Most posts come from a real conversation with a customer, about a yellowing leaf, a dark room or a cat with an interest in greenery. Newest posts first.

• How to Repot a Root-Bound Plant
  August 25, 2026. How to tell when a plant is root-bound, when that is a problem and when it is fine, and how to repot it without damaging the roots.
• How Much Light Do Houseplants Need?
  August 4, 2026. Why houseplants need more light than most people think, how to tell whether a plant is getting enough, and what to do when it is not.
• Pet-Friendly Plants for Small Apartments
  July 14, 2026. How to fit plants and pets into a small apartment, with plants listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs and ideas for using every inch of space.
• How to Keep Plants Alive While You Are Away
  June 23, 2026. Simple ways to keep houseplants watered and healthy through a weekend, a week or a long trip, without a plant sitter.
• Plants for a Windowless Bathroom
  June 9, 2026. What can really grow in a bathroom with no window, what it takes to make it work, and which plants cope best.
• How to Propagate Pothos in Water
  May 26, 2026. A step-by-step guide to rooting pothos cuttings in a glass of water, from taking the cutting to potting up a full new plant.
• Five Monstera Care Mistakes
  May 12, 2026. The five mistakes we see most often with monstera, why each one holds the plant back, and how to fix them.
• Self-Watering Pots: Pros and Cons
  April 21, 2026. How self-watering pots work, which plants love them, which plants they will harm, and how to use one well.
• Houseplants That Are Safe for Cats and Dogs
  April 7, 2026. Which houseplants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, which popular ones to avoid, and how to keep pets and plants out of trouble.
• The Easiest Houseplants for Beginners
  March 17, 2026. Where to start if you are new to houseplants, or have lost a few: the most forgiving plants, and the habits that matter more than the plant you pick.
• Snake Plant or ZZ Plant? How to Choose
  March 3, 2026. Two of the toughest houseplants there are, compared on light, water, shape, growth and pets, so you can pick the right one for your space.
• Seven Signs You Are Overwatering
  February 24, 2026. Overwatering kills more houseplants than anything else. Here are the seven signs to look for, and what to do when you spot them.
• The Best Plants for a North-Facing Window
  February 10, 2026. A north-facing window gives soft, steady light all day. Here is what grows well in it, what struggles, and how to choose between the two toughest options.
• Why Are My Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow?
  January 20, 2026. The common causes of yellow leaves on a pothos, how to tell them apart, and what to do about each one.
• Terracotta or Plastic: Which Pot Is Better?
  January 6, 2026. How terracotta and plastic pots really differ, which plants do best in each, and how your choice of pot should change the way you water.
• Looking After Houseplants in Winter
  December 2, 2025. Shorter days, dry heated air and cold windows change what houseplants need. Here is how to adjust your care through the winter months.