Grounded FAQs

Great question! We recommend allowing your new plant to settle into your space for 2-3 weeks before transporting them into a new planter.

If your plant endured shipping stress, it may need additional time to adjust. While your plant will appreciate moving out of its temporary nursery pot, in general, it’s best to avoid repotting during fall and winter or repotting an already stressed plant.

Read more on how to get your new plant settled in here!

Chat edit: Great question! We recommend allowing your new plant to settle into your space for 3-7 days before transporting it into a new planter. A plant that endured shipping stress may need additional time to settle in before repotting. 

If your plant arrived potted in a ceramic pot, you can wait 1-2 years to repot again. 

Yellow leaves are commonly caused by:

• Overwatering or underwatering (check soil moisture up to 3” with your finger)
• Shock or stress (such as transport, temperature, or environmental changes)
• Old leaves making room for new growth
• Nutrient deficiencies 

Remove any yellow leaves and take a photo for your record to track its progress. Reasons for yellow leaves can also vary from plant to plant.

Brown leaves are commonly caused by:

• Underwatering or overwatering (check soil moisture up to 3” with your finger)
• Leaf burn from direct sunlight or fertilizer
• Dry air / low humidity levels

Remove any brown leaves and take a photo for your record to track its progress. Reasons for brown leaves can also vary from plant to plant.

Drooping is a plant’s response to stress or an unmet need. Leaves will droop when drastic changes have been made, such as moving from one environment to another or temperature changes.

Leaves also droop under drought, root rot, and pest or fungi infestations. Eliminate watering as a cause by checking the soil moisture with your finger.

Assess any recent changes + give the plant time to adjust. Lastly, thoroughly check the leaves to rule out pests. 

Minor blemishes and marks on leaves are normal - even out in nature! However, spots that develop on the leaves and begin to spread can signal something bigger. The most common reasons for leaf spots are:

• Tap Water: Often small + uniform in shape. Learn more about water types here. 
• Leaf Burn: Typically accompanied by dryness and caused by direct light or fertilizer.
• Fungus: Usually a dark spot that grows and spreads to other leaves. Learn more about fungus here. Remove the leaf + isolate the plant if a fungus is present.

Leaf drop, sadly, is a plant’s common response too many different stressors. It may need time to rest + recover. The most common reasons for leaf drop are:

• Temperature or environmental changes
• Transport
• Underwatering
• Overwatering
• Low light
• Root rot 

Plants need water more often during spring and summer and less often through fall and winter. How frequently you water will also depend on:

(Listed as “More Frequent” vs “Less Frequent”)

• Plant Type (Tropical vs Succulent)
• Size (4” vs 6”)
• Light Levels (Bright vs Low) 
• Indoor temperature and airflow

We recommend checking soil moisture by inserting your index finger into the soil up to the middle knuckle. Check out our Product and Resource pages for specific information on your plant! 

We’re glad you asked! Yellow or brown leaves, leaf loss, drooping, and wet soil are common symptoms of an overwatered plant. To confirm soil moisture, insert your finger at least 2 inches. 

Help the plant recover by allowing the soil to fully dry, adjusting the watering frequency, and removing damaged leaves. Be sure the soil is not tightly compacted and offer the roots adequate drainage in the pot. If the plant is beyond recovery, you may be able to save it through propagation. 

We’re all bound to at some point. Common signs of underwatering are brown or dry leaves/stems, curled or shriveled leaves, and dry soil. To confirm that the soil is dry, insert your finger at least 2 inches. 

Revive the plant by giving it a thorough watering, allowing excess water to flow from the drainage hole. Ensure it has proper air circulation and allow it to rest. Be sure to adjust the watering frequency going forward. If the plant is beyond recovery, you may be able to save it through propagation.

We are happy to offer our customers direct plant support through Grounded Office Hours. Book a 15-minute call with our in-house Plant Specialist here - complimentary for all Grounded customers! Due to the in-depth nature of this service, it is currently reserved for Grounded customers only.

We also aim to provide continuous + accessible education through our Resources page + tips on Instagram and TikTok! If the plant is beyond recovery, you may be able to save it through propagation. 

Oh no! Pest and fungi infestations on a plant are never fun. If you suspect this is true, the first step is to isolate the plant from other greenery in your home to prevent spreading. Next, read our blog on treating pests. here.

It’s full of knowledge and DIY treatments on the subject. Remove infected leaves/stems and treat weekly for 2-3 weeks.

Of course! We aim to provide the education, resources, and support you need to feel confident in your plant care.

We are happy to offer our customers direct support through Grounded Office Hours.

Book a 15-minute call with our in-house Plant Specialist here - complimentary for all Grounded customers. Due to the in-depth nature of this service, it is currently reserved for Grounded customers only.  

We’re glad you asked! We offer a personalized quiz to suggest a plant that would suit your lifestyle + home. There are a few other things to consider:

• The light levels and direction of your windows.
• Research plants before committing to understand what each requires.  
• Trial and error is a normal part of plant care! Don’t be discouraged to try something new.
• We’re committed to supporting you along your plant care journey. Reach out to us with care questions on your Grounded plant at any time.

Plants require anything from low to bright light and indirect or direct light.

Understand the direction of light your windows offer by downloading the compass app on your phone, or follow where the sun rises (east) and sets (west). We also have a quick breakdown of light types here! 

While plants will need some amount of light to survive, we offer plenty of options that suit low-light homes. You can also consider purchasing plant grow lights to have a greater range of brightness. Some great low-light plant options are:

• ZZ Plant
• Snake Plant
• Marantas
• Neanthe Palm
• Pothos
• Take our Personalized Plant Quiz!

Great question! The basics on repotting your plant are: 

• Spring or summertime is best
• Use a planter of the same size or up to 2” larger
• Research what soil type is best for the plant
• Water immediately after + do not fertilize for 6 weeks
• Read more on repotting your plant here!

Yes! A huge part of our mission is making plant care accessible for those wanting to maintain plants in their space. We offer support via various convenient channels to make something work for everyone:

• Care Tips & Tricks: Instagram and TikTok
• In-Depth Knowledge: Grounded Resources 
• Personal Consultation: Grounded Office Hours