There is a very specific kind of excitement that happens when you bring home a new plant.

You walk through the door carrying it like it's a tiny celebrity.

You already know where it's going to live. You're imagining the new leaves. You're thinking about how beautiful it's going to look once it grows.

And then…

You remember your other plants.

Because as exciting as a new plant can be, there's one thing I don't want it bringing home with it:

Friends. 😂

Over time, I've learned that bringing a new plant into my house isn't just about finding the perfect spot for it.

It's also about giving it a little inspection, a little cleaning, and some time away from the rest of my collection.

Because pests don't always make themselves obvious when you first bring a plant home.

And I'd much rather spend a few extra minutes being cautious with one new plant than spend weeks trying to figure out how an infestation suddenly made its way through my entire collection.

So now, whenever I bring home a new plant, I have a little routine.

Here's what I do.

First, I Assume I Can't See Everything

This is probably the biggest lesson I've learned.

Just because I don't see a bug doesn't mean there isn't one.

Pests can hide underneath leaves, around stems, in leaf joints, and in other little areas that are easy to miss during a quick inspection.

And let's be honest.

When you first bring home a plant, you're usually looking at the pretty parts.

You're admiring the new growth.

You're checking out the leaves.

You're thinking about where you're going to put it.

You're probably not thinking:

"Let me inspect every possible hiding spot for pests."

But that's exactly what I want to do before this plant gets anywhere near my collection.

Step 1: Deal With What I Can't See

For my own routine, one of the first things I use is a systemic houseplant insect control product.

The idea behind a systemic treatment is different from simply spraying the leaves. The plant takes the active ingredient up through its roots, allowing it to move through the plant.

If you choose to use a systemic insecticide, make sure the product is labeled for your particular houseplant and intended use, and follow the directions on the label exactly.

I water the plant with the product according to those directions and allow the water to drain completely through the pot.

I don't want the plant sitting in water afterward.

And I definitely don't believe in the idea that if a little is good, more must be better.

Follow the label. Always.

What If You Can't Buy a Systemic Where You Live?

That's okay.

You can still be proactive.

A good inspection, cleaning the plant, keeping it separated from your collection, and monitoring it closely are all important parts of managing pests.

If you actually find pests, identify what you're dealing with and choose a treatment that's labeled for that specific pest and plant.

Depending on where you live, options such as insecticidal soap, horticultural oils, or other labeled houseplant pest treatments may be available.

The important thing is not to panic and start throwing five different products at the plant at once.

Identify first. Treat intentionally.

Step 2: Give the Leaves a Spa Day

Once I've dealt with the soil, I move on to the leaves.

And this is probably my favorite part.

I grab my spray bottle and my cleaning supplies and give the plant a good wipe-down.

I don't just spray it and call it a day.

I actually look at the leaves.

I wipe them.

I inspect them.

And most importantly…

I flip them over.

Because if you're only looking at the top of the leaf, you're only seeing half the story.

The undersides are one of the places I want to pay close attention to when I'm checking a new plant.

So I go leaf by leaf:

• Top

• Bottom

• Stem

• New growth

• Leaf joints

• Anywhere that looks like it could hide something

It's a little tedious.

But this is one of those times when I'd rather be overly thorough than wish I had been.

What I Use on the Leaves

For my personal plant-cleaning routine, I use:

• Water

• Neem oil

• Castile soap

• Peppermint oil

One important note: homemade mixtures aren't automatically safe for every plant.

Neem products vary, essential oils can cause foliage damage, and household soaps aren't the same thing as commercially formulated insecticidal soap.

So if you're making your own routine, test anything you're using on a small area first and follow the directions for any commercial product you use.

If you're specifically treating an existing pest infestation, a properly formulated insecticidal soap or labeled neem product may be a better choice than improvising a stronger homemade mixture.

I'm not trying to create a chemical bath for my new plant.

I'm trying to give it a fresh start.

And Please Don't Forget the Back of the Leaves

I feel like this deserves its own section because it's so easy to forget.

You look at your plant and think:

"Wow. She's gorgeous."

And meanwhile, underneath the leaves…

👀

That's where I want to look.

Flip the leaves over.

Check around the veins.

Look at the stems.

Look at the newest growth.

I'm basically getting acquainted with my new plant before I let it meet everyone else.

And honestly, I think that's one of the underrated benefits of this whole process.

You're not just cleaning the plant.

You're learning what your plant looks like when it's healthy.

That makes it much easier to notice when something changes later.

Step 3: Quarantine the New Plant

Now comes the part that requires the most patience.

The plant stays separate.

I know.

You just bought it.

You want it with the collection.

You want to take the perfect picture.

You want to rearrange your plant shelf around it.

But…

wait.

For my personal routine, I like to keep a new plant separated for around 4–5 days while I monitor it.

But here's the important part:

I'm not saying that four or five days guarantees a plant is pest-free.

It doesn't.

Different pests have different life cycles, and some problems can take longer to become obvious.

So the number of days isn't really the point.

Observation is the point.

During those days, I'm checking the plant again.

And again.

And again.

I'm watching the leaves.

I'm checking underneath them.

I'm looking at new growth.

I'm paying attention to anything that looks unusual.

And if I see something suspicious?

The plant stays separated.

The calendar doesn't get to make that decision for me.

This Is Where My Plant-Parent Brain Kicks In

There's a funny thing that happens during quarantine.

At first, I'm thinking:

"Okay, I'll just keep an eye on it."

Then I walk past the plant.

Look at it.

Walk away.

Come back.

Look underneath a leaf.

Walk away.

Come back five minutes later.

😂

Because once you've had plants for a while, you start noticing things.

A little discoloration.

A weird spot.

Something that wasn't there yesterday.

A leaf that suddenly looks different.

And that attention is actually useful.

You start learning your plants.

You start noticing their normal.

And when you know what's normal, it's easier to recognize when something isn't.

My New Plant Routine

So whenever I bring a new plant home, my routine looks something like this:

Inspect it.

Look carefully at the leaves, stems, soil, and hidden areas.

Treat appropriately.

If I'm using a systemic or other pest-control product, I follow the label directions.

Clean it.

I wipe down the foliage and make sure I'm checking the undersides of the leaves.

Separate it.

The new plant gets its own little space away from the collection.

Watch it.

I continue checking it rather than assuming one treatment means the job is finished.

Only after I'm comfortable with the plant do I introduce it to everyone else.

The Tools I Keep on Hand

These are some of the supplies I use for my new-plant routine:

• Watering can

• Spray bottle

• Systemic houseplant insect control

• Cotton gloves

• Neem oil

• Castile soap

• Water

• Peppermint oil

You can find the products I use through the links in this post.

Just remember that products can vary by formulation and location, so always check the label before using a pesticide or plant treatment.

Especially with oils and soaps, more isn't necessarily better.

A New Plant Is Exciting. Just Don't Let It Bring Friends.

Bringing home a new plant should be exciting.

You shouldn't have to be afraid of every new leaf or wonder if the plant you just bought is secretly carrying a tiny army of pests.

But a little prevention can go a long way.

Inspect it.

Clean it.

Treat it appropriately.

Keep it separate.

And watch it.

Then, when you're confident your new plant is ready…

let the introductions begin. 🌿

What Kind of Plant Parent Are You?

After doing all of this with my plants, I've started to wonder something completely different:

What kind of plant parent are you?

Are you the plant parent who notices a new leaf before anyone else does?

The one who has a plant in every room?

The propagator who can't throw away a cutting?

The person who loves a good DIY plant project?

Or maybe you're the one who brings home a new plant and immediately starts researching it for three hours. 😂

I made a Plant Parent Personality Quiz so you can find out.

It's quick, it's fun, and you might learn something about your plant-parent style along the way.

🌿 What Kind of Plant Parent Are You?

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz →

Because let's be honest…

your plants already have a personality.

The question is:

What's yours? 🌱