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How I Keep Houseplants Alive With Toddlers Around

Keeping plants alive with toddlers in the house has less to do with having a perfect watering routine and more to do with choosing the right plants, the right locations and the right level of ambition. I have lost plenty of greenery to enthusiastic little hands, tipped cups, curious digging and the occasional toy hurled across the lounge room. The answer was not giving up on indoor plants. It was making our home work for real family life.

Our house now has a mixture of forgiving plants, sturdy pots and a few rules that are simple enough to follow while someone is asking for a snack. I have learned to decorate around movement rather than pretending our rooms are show homes. The plants still make the space feel calm and lived-in, even when the floor is covered in blocks and the washing basket is permanently in use.

Start with plants that can cope with ordinary family life

The best toddler-friendly indoor plants are resilient, reasonably drought tolerant and happy to recover from a bent leaf. I have had good experiences with cast iron plants, parlour palms, spider plants, peperomias, hoyas and some varieties of sansevieria. They do not all thrive under identical conditions, so I still check their light and watering needs, but they are less dramatic than a delicate fern that collapses after one missed watering.

Spider plants are especially useful for shelves because they cope with bright indirect light and produce baby plants that can be trimmed off or shared. Cast iron plants are slower growing, but their name gives away their greatest virtue. They tolerate the forgetfulness that comes with parenting. Peperomias stay fairly compact, while hoyas can be trained along a support so their trailing stems stay out of reach.

I am more careful with plants chosen purely for appearance. Some popular houseplants can irritate skin or cause problems if chewed. The Australian Poisons Information Centre provides advice through 13 11 26, and I keep plant labels and nursery information rather than relying on a vague memory of what I bought. A plant being common in a garden centre does not make it suitable for a child who samples everything.

Put greenery where small hands cannot reach

The safest position for a plant is often the least obvious one. Instead of placing pots on a low coffee table, I use a high, stable shelf, a deep bookcase or a plant stand tucked into a corner that does not form part of the toddler traffic route. The shelf must be properly anchored, especially in a home where climbing is likely. A beautiful plant is not worth creating a tipping hazard.

I have also stopped putting plants beside sofas and armchairs. Toddlers treat furniture as a climbing frame, and a nearby pot becomes an invitation to pull, poke or swing from a trailing vine. Our larger floor plant sits behind a sideboard where it gets filtered light but cannot be used as a handhold. It is the same principle I followed when I bought a secondhand couch: useful furniture has to survive family life, not simply look good in a photograph.

Window ledges need a little thought in Australian homes. A sunny north-facing window in Melbourne can be welcome in winter but harsh in summer, while a west-facing window in Brisbane or Perth may scorch leaves quickly. Sheer curtains, a few centimetres of distance from the glass and rotating the pot every couple of weeks can prevent one-sided growth. In rented homes, I avoid anything that requires drilling unless the landlord or property manager has approved it, and I check strata or body corporate rules before attaching shelves to shared or external walls.

Make watering nearly impossible to forget

My plants survive because watering is attached to routines that already happen. I check them while the kettle boils on Saturday morning and again when I open the blinds after the weekend. I do not water every plant on the same day automatically. Instead, I push a finger into the top few centimetres of soil and lift the pot when I am unsure. A dry, light pot usually tells me more than a calendar does.

Overwatering has caused more casualties in my home than neglect. Decorative cachepots can hide water sitting around the roots, so I use nursery pots with drainage holes inside them and empty the outer pot after watering. For bigger plants, I carry them to the laundry sink, let them drain properly and return them once the dripping has stopped. This keeps puddles away from curious feet and prevents moisture damage to timber floors.

Australia’s climate makes a flexible approach especially important. During a hot Sydney week, a plant near a bright window may need attention sooner than it does during a cool, damp spell. In parts of Queensland, humidity can slow drying, while a heated Melbourne lounge room can leave the air surprisingly dry in winter. I keep a small watering can in the laundry rather than hiding it in a cupboard; seeing it is a useful reminder, and it means I am less likely to improvise with a child’s drink bottle.

Protect the soil, pots and nearby surfaces

Toddlers are drawn to soil because it feels like an activity. I have found little fingers investigating the compost, collecting pebbles and moving mulch from one pot to another. A layer of large, smooth decorative stones can discourage digging, although I only use pieces too large to be swallowed and avoid small loose objects around a child who still mouths things. A well-fitting pot cover or a section of breathable mesh can work for particularly tempting pots.

Heavy pots are safer than lightweight plastic ones when they are sitting on the floor, but weight alone is not a guarantee. I choose broad, stable bases and keep them away from edges. Terracotta can crack, ceramic can shatter and even a plastic pot can cause a nasty bump when pulled down. For a nursery pot hidden inside a decorative container, I check that the combination is stable before adding a plant to a busy room.

The same practical thinking applies to styling the rest of the space. I prefer washable baskets, wipeable plant stands and rugs that can handle spilled water. A secondhand timber stool may look lovely under a plant, but I inspect it for loose joints, splinters and old flaking paint before using it. Australian Consumer Law applies to many goods sold by businesses, yet private marketplace purchases do not offer the same protections, so I am particularly cautious with used furniture and storage bought through local listings.

Teach gentle hands without turning plants into forbidden objects

I used to move a toddler away from every plant as quickly as possible, which made the plants even more fascinating. Now I explain that leaves are gentle and show exactly how to touch one with a single finger. We practise with a sturdy spider plant rather than a precious new cutting. If a leaf gets bent, I calmly trim it or leave it alone, depending on the damage, instead of making the moment feel dramatic.

A small watering job can become a supervised responsibility once a child is ready. My toddler can help mist a plant that actually enjoys humidity, wipe a broad leaf with a damp cloth or carry an empty plant label to the rubbish bin. I keep the fertiliser, potting mix, secateurs and insect treatments locked away. These products belong with cleaning chemicals and medicines, not on a low laundry shelf.

The boundaries have to be repeated because toddlers learn through repetition. “Look, don’t pull” works better for us than a long explanation about root systems. I also keep one plant that is allowed to be touched, which reduces the sense that every green thing is off limits. When visitors bring a new plant, I place it somewhere secure immediately rather than assuming the novelty will fade before bedtime.

Build a care system that fits a busy week

My plant care basket contains a cloth, small scissors, a moisture meter, spare saucers and a pencil for writing the date of repotting. I do not use the meter for every plant, but it helps when a deep pot feels dry on top and damp underneath. A simple note on my phone records plants that need bright light, indirect light or very little water. This is much more realistic than expecting myself to remember every variety’s preferences.

When we go away, I ask for specific help rather than saying, “Just water the plants.” A friend gets a short list with the plant name, the amount of water and the location. I group plants according to their needs, move thirsty ones away from hot windows and skip fertiliser while we are gone. For a weekend visit to family, most of my tougher plants manage without attention if they were watered sensibly beforehand.

I also keep my plant collection small enough to maintain. A home full of greenery can look wonderful, but twenty needy plants turn a relaxing hobby into another household obligation. I would rather have eight healthy plants than a crowded shelf of struggling cuttings. For ideas about balancing family stories, home life and everyday beauty, I enjoy the warm, personal perspective on Anders Mama, which feels much closer to real life than an immaculate showroom.

Use light, seasons and room habits to your advantage

The biggest improvement came when I stopped trying to make every room suitable for plants. The bathroom works for humidity-loving greenery if it has enough natural light, while the living room suits plants that prefer indirect light. I rotate plants between rooms when seasonal conditions change, but I do not constantly rearrange them. Stability helps me notice whether a leaf is yellowing because of too much water, too little light or a sudden draught.

Dust is a quiet plant killer in our home, particularly during dry periods when windows are open and the household is busy. Once a fortnight, I wipe broad leaves with a damp cloth and use a soft brush for smaller foliage. I check underneath leaves for webbing, scale or sticky residue. If I find pests, I move the affected plant away from the others and deal with it promptly rather than hoping the problem disappears.

I buy from reputable nurseries and local garden centres when possible, and I am careful with plants, soil and cuttings brought home from markets or shared across state borders. Australia’s biosecurity rules can restrict the movement of plants and soil, with additional controls applying in places such as Western Australia and areas affected by fire ant regulations in Queensland. Buying locally and keeping original labels makes plant care simpler and avoids accidentally carrying pests or restricted material.

My home does not have a flawless indoor garden. There are chewed leaves, the occasional dropped pot and plants that have quietly reached the end of their time with us. I photograph the ones I love, especially when we travel, and I have learned that a convenient camera setup matters more than carrying every accessory; this reflection on a travel zoom lens captures that same preference for usefulness over perfection. Plants earn their place here by making family spaces feel welcoming while fitting into the messy rhythm of our days.

Small habits that make the biggest difference

I keep the list on the fridge because plant care has to be visible to stand a chance during a full week. My aim is healthy, manageable greenery rather than a collection that demands constant attention. The Motley Mama about page reflects the kind of family-centred home life I want to create: comfortable, personal and practical enough for ordinary days.

When I am unsure about a site detail, I check its frequently asked questions rather than guessing, and I take the same approach with plants. Reliable information, a safe location and a forgiving variety solve most problems before they become disasters. The result is a home where toddlers can explore, adults can breathe and the plants have a genuine chance of making it through the week.