Light, Water, and Soil
Light, water, and soil cannot be managed separately. A plant in bright light uses water faster. A plant in dense soil loses root oxygen faster. A plant in cool weather grows slower and needs less water.
Light Categories
Section titled “Light Categories”| Term | Practical meaning |
|---|---|
| Full sun | Six or more hours of direct sun outdoors |
| Part sun | Three to six hours of direct sun |
| Bright indirect light | Strong ambient light without harsh direct indoor sun |
| Low light | Enough to see comfortably, but slow plant growth |
| Shade | Outdoor light blocked by buildings, trees, or orientation |
Watering Categories
Section titled “Watering Categories”| Category | Good for |
|---|---|
| Constantly wet | Aquatic, marginal, bog, and wetland plants |
| Evenly moist | Ferns, calathea, seedlings, many vegetables |
| Dry top layer | Many houseplants and garden perennials |
| Dry between watering | Succulents, cacti, ZZ plant, snake plant |
| Seasonal dry rest | Many bulbs, cacti, caudiciforms, Mediterranean plants |
Soil and Substrate
Section titled “Soil and Substrate”Use coarse, airy mixes for plants that need oxygen around roots. Use moisture-retentive mixes for thirsty crops and ferns. Use mineral, fast-draining mixes for succulents and many alpines.