The Thrive Sanctuary

plant care tips and thriving practices to use at home

I’ll be honest…Everything I’ve learned about plant care, I’ve learned through experimentation. Through curiosity. And through presence - by noticing the plants, what they seem to be telling me, and what feels intuitive.

Sometimes I’ve gotten it wrong. Had to learn the hard way and then start over.

But most of the time, with patience and usually a bit of curiosity – I’ve been a successful plant mom to over hundreds of plants. I’ve propagated more anthuriums, pothos, and monstera than I can count. I’ve overwatered, underwatered, and dealt with gnats and an occasional pest.

Let me be clear: I’m not a master gardener. Maybe that is something I’ll take on one day.

I can never really pick ONE plant as a favorite…though jasmine is at the top of my list because it transports me back to Venice, Italy and my Nonna’s garden. I love Monstera and ZZ's …and I probably have to love Anthuriums for as many as I’ve propagated.

But I believe in the power of plants to help us embody our thriving, one mini-moment at a time.

My greatest hope is that whatever you bring home from The Thrive Sanctuary – you’ll find your own

Use these tips as a general guide for helping your new (or old) plant thrive at home.

  • At The Thrive Sanctuary, you’ll know if a plant is pet-friendly if it has a paw print sticker (with a smiley face).

    Currently we have pet friendly: African violets, bromeliads, calathea, maranta, spider, peperomia, and pachira aquatica.

  • Thriving Aglaonemas (Chinese Evergrens) start with presence and intention.

    Light: Moderate to low light but can tolerate bright, indirect east-facing light.

    Water: Prefer to dry out between waterings. If the leaves look droopy, it is asking for water. Yellow leaves can be a sign of overwatering.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: YES: They remove formaldehyde and benzene.

  • Thriving Aloe plants start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light. Can live in a window with full light but might turn a bit yellow.

    Water: Water deeply and then allow to dry out. Some say you can water aloe every 2-3 weeks.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: YES. Aloe plants tend to you by removing formaldehyde, benzene. Aloe leaves are used to soothe skin irritations and sunburns.

  • Thriving African Violets start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light. Very happy to live near an east-facing window.

    Water: Keep moist (not drenched)

    Pet safe: YES

  • Thriving Anthuriums start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light but is ok with more direct morning light.

    Water: It does best in average to evenly moist soil, but will not tolerate standing water. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once each week.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: YES: Anthuriums tend to you by clearing CO2, mold, and other toxins. Some also think they bring good luck in their relationships with their heart-shaped leaves.

  • Thriving Bromeliads start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light but is ok with more direct morning light.

    Water: keep the center cup of the flower half full of water. Water the soil when it is 2/3 dry.

    Pet safe: YES

    Air-purifying: NO

  • Thriving Calatheas start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light.

    Water: Calaltheas like evenly moist soil. You’ll know it’s time to water if you put a chopstick or toothpick into the soil and it comes back clean. (not wet/with soil).

    Pet safe: No

    Air-purifying: NO

  • Thriving Dracaenas start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light.

    Water: Water until liquid flows through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. You’ll know it’s time to water if you put a chopstick or toothpick into the soil and it comes back clean. (not wet/with soil).

    Pet safe: No

    Air-purifying: YES: Dracaenas tend to you by removing toxins in the air (like xylene from smoke or paint) and formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and toluene.

  • Thriving Ficus Lyatra start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light.

    Water: Water until liquid flows through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. You’ll know it’s time to water if you put a chopstick or toothpick into the soil and it comes back clean. (not wet/with soil).

    Pet safe: No

    Air-purifying: YES: Ficus Lyatra tend to you by removing chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia and benzene from the air.

  • Light: Bright direct light. Very happy to live near an east-facing window.

    Water: Keep moist (not drenched)

    Pet safe: YES

    Air-purifying: YES
    Jasmine’s antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties help to cleanse the air, reducing toxins and improving the overall environment.

    The scent of jasmine promotes relaxation, improves your mood, alleviates stress, and can improve your sleep.

  • Thriving Maranta start with presence and intention.

    Light: Bright indirect light. Direct exposure to sun can scorch leaves.

    Water: Water until liquid flows through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. You’ll know it’s time to water if you put a chopstick or toothpick into the soil and it comes back clean. (not wet/with soil). Maranta plants love humidity.

    Pet safe: YES

  • Light: Bright to medium indirect light. Can tolerate low light.

    Water: Allow to dry out (75%) before watering again. Brown tips can indicate overwatering, while yellow leaves can indicate the need for more water.

    Pet safe: NO

  • Light: Bright indirect light. But can tolerate lower light and even east-facing (morning) direct light.

    Water: You’ll know it’s time to water if you put a chopstick or toothpick into the soil (about an inch deep) and it comes back clean. (not wet/with soil).

    Pet safe: NO
    Note: Large leaves can collect dust. Use a microfiber dusting cloth to clean leaves.

    And, Monsteras like to climb. A pole or stick can help them grow.

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Direct light can scorch leaves.

    Water: Water until liquid flows out through the drainage hole of your pot. You’ll know it’s time to water if you put a chopstick or toothpick into the soil (about an inch deep) and it comes back clean. (not wet/with soil).

    Pet safe: NO

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Too much sun can burn it’s leaves and too little will cause leaves to yellow.

    Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

    Pet safe: YES
    Note: Rotate your money tree occassionally to promote growth on all sides.

  • Light: Bright indirect light.

    Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. You’ll know when it needs water when the leaves start to get droopy. If the leaves are getting droopy multiple times per week, it might be time to repot into a bigger pot.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: Peace Lily plants tend to you by removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the ambient air, apart from other fumes like cigarette smoke, paint, furniture fumes, etc. They absorb mold spores and are approved by NASA as a top air-purifying plant. They also are known for creating soothing and harmonious environments.

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Can tolerate medium to low light but will grow more slowly.

    Water: Water when the plant is 75% dry. (use a chopstick to test the soil and see if it is clean or still wet).

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: Philodendrons tend to you by removing formaldehyde, a chemical that is usually found in carpets and wooden furniture.

  • Light: Bright indirect light.

    Water: Water when 75% of soil feels dry. You’ll know when it needs water if you put a chopstick into the soil and it comes out dry.

    Pet safe: YES

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Can tolerate low light but will grow more slowly or lose some of it’s variated coloring.

    Water: Water when 50-75% of soil feels dry.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air purifying: YES
    The Pothos tends to you by filtering carbon monoxide and removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene.

  • Light: Bright direct light.

    Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.

    Pet safe: YES

    Air-purifying: YES
    The aroma of Rosemary is purifies, and also cleanses and refreshes air. The scent is considered to be energetically uplifting.

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Can tolerate medium to lower light. Likes to be rotated once a month to promote even growth.

    Water: Water deeply and then allow to dry out.

    Pet safe: NO

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Can live in a window with full light but might turn a bit yellow. Can also tolerate medium to low light (with slower growth).

    Water: Wait until soil is mostly dry before watering and then water thoroughly. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: YES. Removes formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides. The Snake Plant is unique in its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night, making it a great fit for bedroom spaces.

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Can live in a window with full light but might turn a bit yellow. Can also tolerate medium to low light (with slower growth).

    Water: Water thoroughly once per week. Allow water to drain out of pot.

    Pet safe: YES

    Air-purifying: YES. Spider plants tend to you by removing formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and carbon monoxide. NASA places this plant among the top 3 types of houseplants that are great at removing formaldehyde.

  • Light: Bright indirect light. Can also tolerate medium to low light (with slower growth or might become leggy).

    Water: Water when soil is completely dry. Is drought resistant. Yellow leaves can indicate overwatering.

    Pet safe: NO

    Air-purifying: YES. ZZ plants tend to you by absorbing toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene. And, their waxy leaves reflect sunlight thus brightening rooms and spaces