Plant talk, in plain words

Where it sits and what sun touches it.

1. Dim shadeA dark corner or a windowless room; natural light casts no shadow
2. Bright shadeBack from the window in a south-, east- or west-facing room, or right by a north-facing one, where only low early or late summer sun reaches it
3. Filtered sunBehind a sheer curtain or tinted glass; the sun’s shadows are blurred
4. Partial sunIn an east- or west-facing window: up to a few hours of direct sun
5. Full sunThe sunniest spot you have, usually a south-facing window, with direct sun 6+ hours a day

How often, and what the soil does between.

1. MonthlyEvery 2-3 weeks in summer and 3-5 in winter; the soil dries all the way between
2. 2-3× a monthEvery 7-14 days in summer, longer in winter; the top of the soil dries between
3. Weekly+About every 4-8 days in summer; the soil stays lightly damp

How much room it usually takes indoors.

Size

1. TinyUnder 6 inches tall or wide; for a desk or a sill
2. Small6 inches to 1.5 feet tall or wide; for a shelf or a sill
3. Medium1.5 to 3 feet tall or wide; for a table or a stand
4. Large3 to 6 feet tall or wide; for the floor
5. GiantOver 6 feet tall or wide; a statement in the corner

Shape

1. TreeA trunk that branches into a canopy
2. CaneBare stalks topped with leaves
3. UprightStiff stems or leaves rising straight from the soil
4. FountainLeaves or fronds arching out from the center
5. BushyA full, rounded mound of leaves
6. RosetteLeaves radiating from one low point
7. ViningTrails, climbs, or both

Growth

How fast it gets there.

1. SlowUnder 6 inches of new growth a year
2. Moderate6-12 inches a year, mostly in spring and summer
3. FastOver 12 inches a year; it may want trimming or training

What happens and how bad (the worst of dogs, cats and kids).

1. Pet & kid safeNothing to worry about
2. Mildly irritatingMay irritate the mouth or stomach if chewed, or for some plants, the skin if handled
3. Moderately toxicCan cause illness if eaten, though typically not serious or fatal
4. Highly toxicCan cause serious illness if eaten, including some reports of death
5. Not yet ratedNot clearly rated by our sources; please check with your vet or doctor

For its safety ratings, PILF relies on research and guidance from leading sources, including the ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, Merck Veterinary Manual, Poison Control and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and others.

The small jobs beyond watering, over a year.

1. Little upkeepA few small jobs a year beyond watering, like a feed now and then
2. Some upkeepA small job about once a month beyond watering, like feeding or turning it
3. More upkeepA small job every couple of weeks beyond watering, like a wipe, a turn or a feed
4. Most upkeepA small job most weeks beyond watering, like raising the humidity or misting