Plants have five basic requirements for healthy growth:

Healthy growth will be sustained as long as these requirements approach optimal levels and the plants are free from pest animals and diseases. Most plants also require anchorage in some form of substrate. In most cases, this substrate also serves as the plant's primary source of moisture and nutrition.

Glory lily (Gloriosa superba) growing in pots.

A vast literature covers every detail of plant culture from the broadest to the most specific aspects. This section provides guidelines for routine aspects of plant culture including problems that are likely to be encountered and their rectification. The topics covered are listed to the left.

For the most part, this section refers to container-grown plants, although some information may be extrapolated to field culture.