Leafmend exists to give houseplant owners answers they can actually trust. This page explains, plainly, how we produce every guide and review — and what we do not do.
What we don’t do (the honest part)
We do not claim to personally grow, photograph, or lab-test every plant or product we write about. Pretending otherwise is dishonest and, frankly, common online. We’d rather earn your trust by being transparent about our method than fake a “we tested this for 30 days” story.
How we actually research
- Horticultural science & university extension publications — care advice is grounded in established references, not guesswork.
- ASPCA for toxicity — every pet-safety/toxicity statement is checked against ASPCA (or an equivalent veterinary source) and cited. If we can’t verify it, we leave it out.
- Manufacturer specifications & documentation for any product covered.
- Patterns across many verified buyer reviews — we surface recurring real-world successes and failures owners report (pattern analysis, not one opinion).
- Structured comparison — products compared spec-by-spec; any score comes from a stated, visible rubric, never a made-up number.
Our editorial standards
- Toxicity / pet-safety claims are sourced and verified — treated as a safety matter.
- No fabricated reviews, fake ratings, or implied hands-on testing.
- Affiliate links are disclosed before they appear and never change our verdict.
- Guides are reviewed on a regular cycle so prices and advice stay current.
- When evidence is mixed, we say so.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on Leafmend are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences which products we recommend.
Who writes Leafmend
Leafmend is researched and edited by Huy Tong, who built Leafmend to turn scattered, often-unreliable houseplant advice into clearly-sourced guidance. We are researchers and editors, not a commercial nursery — which is exactly why every claim here is sourced.
Corrections
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us at huy281082@gmail.com and we’ll review and correct it.
Last reviewed: May 18, 2026.