August 13, 2025
Acclimating Your Houseplant: A Gentle Welcome Home Guide
Bringing home a new houseplant is exciting—but it’s also a transition for your leafy friend. Just like people, plants need time to adjust to new surroundings. Changes in lighting, temperature, humidity, and routine can all impact how your plant settles in. That’s why it’s important not to overwhelm it with too many changes at once.
Here’s how to help your plant feel at home, thrive, and grow—without the stress.
1. Don’t Change Too Many Variables at Once
Your plant just came from a greenhouse where it had steady light, temperature, and humidity. At home, it needs time to adjust to new conditions. The best thing you can do is keep things consistent—especially for the first couple of weeks.
Try to place your plant in a spot with similar light to what it had before Bright but indirect light is a safe bet for many houseplants (check out our houseplant lighting guide if you’re like but what does that mean?!). Avoid shuffling it from room to room while it’s settling in.
2. Hold Off on Repotting
We get it—you’ve got the perfect new pot, and you’re excited to give your plant a stylish upgrade. But try to wait. Repotting is a big change that can stress your plant, especially when combined with a new home environment. Or, you can give cache potting a try!
If the plant isn’t root-bound or struggling in its current pot, give it at least 2–3 weeks before repotting. That way, it can focus on getting used to its new space first.
Need help picking the right pot down the road? Check out our blog on choosing the right pottery.
3. Find the Right Spot—and Let It Settle
Once you’ve chosen a place for your plant, try to keep it there. Many houseplants don’t like being moved repeatedly. Even small shifts in sunlight or airflow can affect them. After a few weeks, if it doesn’t seem happy (drooping, yellowing leaves, etc.), you can adjust—just wait until it’s past the initial adjustment period.
4. Water Gently, Not Generously
When you first bring your plant home, be cautious with water. It’s one of the easiest ways to accidentally stress your new plant. Most houseplants don’t need water every day—in fact, too much water is a common mistake.
Before watering, check the soil with your finger. If it feels dry an inch or two down, then it’s time to water thoroughly and allow it to drain well.
Still unsure? Read our blog “Houseplants Aren’t As Thirsty As You Think” for helpful watering tips!
5. Be Patient—Acclimation Takes Time
It’s normal for a plant to take a couple of weeks (or longer) to fully settle in. A few dropped or yellowing leaves aren’t necessarily a red flag—they’re often just a response to the change in environment. Give your plant time, keep care consistent, and resist the urge to tinker with too much at once.
Once your plant begins to show signs of new growth or starts perking up, that’s a great sign it’s adapting to its new home.
Acclimating your houseplant isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less, and giving it time to adjust. With steady light, the right watering routine, and a little patience, your plant will feel right at home in no time.
🌱 Want more tips? Explore our full collection of houseplant blogs for ideas on care, styling, and choosing the perfect plant for your space! Or come visit us at any of our 7 locations and speak with our experts if you have any questions!