Plant care guides

• How often to water a snake plant

  A snake plant stores water in its leaves. Here is how to judge when it needs a drink, and how light and season change the answer.

• How to find your last frost date and what to plant when

  What a last frost date is, where to find yours, and how it sets sowing times for herbs and vegetables.

• How to grow basil on a windowsill

  Light, watering, pinching and harvesting for basil that stays bushy on a sunny windowsill.

• How to grow mint without it taking over

  Mint spreads aggressively. Here is how to keep it in a pot, keep it healthy and keep it productive.

• How to grow tomatoes in pots

  Pot size, sun, watering, feeding and support for tomatoes on a balcony or patio, plus a note for pet owners.

• Signs you are overwatering a plant

  How to spot overwatering early, how it differs from underwatering, and how to rescue a waterlogged plant.

• What to do if your cat or dog chews a houseplant

  Steps to take if a pet has chewed or eaten a plant, how to identify it, who to call, and how to reduce the risk.

• When and how to fertilize houseplants

  A plain guide to feeding houseplants, covering when to start, how often, how much, and when to leave the fertilizer alone.

• Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?

  The usual causes of yellow pothos leaves, how to tell them apart, and what to change first.

• Why do the tips of my plant's leaves turn brown?

  Brown leaf tips usually come from dry air, uneven watering or mineral build-up. How to find which one, and what to do about it.

Looking for one plant? See the plant guide.