Think houseplant care is tricky? Here’s the good news: once you learn the basics and get into a routine, it’s a lot easier than you think!! Research shows that house plants have many benefits, including boosting our moods just by having them around! Follow our top 10 Plant Care Tips to make sure your houseplants are healthy and happy–so you can be too!
Start with a healthy plant
Tempted to buy that sorry looking succulent while checking out at the grocery store?? Just say no! Stick with local nurseries, garden centers or specialty stores. Purchasing from these sources means they can not only answer your questions, but that plants have been properly cared for BEFORE you bring them home. Grocery store plants might have already endured long truck trips or being stored in dark warehouses. Before you buy, look for weak stems, strange spots, bugs or discoloration. When in doubt, look for the most vibrant leaves in the bunch.
Pick the right plant for your space!
People often make the mistake of choosing a plant before thinking about where they plan to put it. Different plants thrive in different conditions. So here are the main things to keep in mind before you buy: light, temperature/humidity, amount of space and how easy or difficult that specific type of plant is to grow. If you’re just starting out, I recommend reading my post: the 10 Best Houseplants for Beginners.
Feel the Soil before Watering
Watering your houseplants sounds simple enough, yet it’s something many people struggle with! So as a rule of thumb, we say: always check the soil before watering. Just stick your finger about an inch into the soil, and if it feels dry, bring on your watering can. If you detect dampness, just check back again in a day or two. Another tip? Take a cue from nature! Many popular houseplants (like philodendrons or peace lilies) come from tropical regions of the world where they receive rain regularly. Typically they have big leaves that use up a lot of water. Plants like these will need more water than desert dwellers like cacti and succulents, which often do better when you let the soil dry out between waterings.
Make sure your pots have drainage holes
Intimidated by the word drainage? Don’t be! It’s just a fancy word for “hole in the bottom.” Choosing pots with drainage prevents water sitting in the bottom of your planters causing root rot. Excess water can instead flow out. Make sure you have a saucer under your plant to avoid wet floors or window sills!
Have a pot you love but it doesn’t have drainage? You can create your own! Just line the bottom of your planter with rocks to create space for the water to drain into and away from your plant’s roots. My favorite type of rock to use for drainage is lava rocks. They’re porous and will soak up some of that excess water.
Dust your Plants
So periodically cleaning the leaves of your houseplants actually, makes less work for you in the long run. And it will make your home look better.
Hey I know it might sound a little out there, but cleaning the leaves of your houseplants makes less work for you in the long run. Dust on the leaves of houseplants blocks out sunlight and reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize or feed itself.
To tell if your plant needs dusted, rub your fingers on the leaves. If you can feel dusty, it’s time to give your plant some TLC. Download our guide on cleaning your plant here:
Add Humidity
Getting to know your plant’s natural environment will help you meet its needs indoors. Many plants prefer high humidity and bright to moderate, indirect light. With most homes having dry air, especially in the winter, you may want to adjust the air. This could be as simple as purchasing a humidifier for your home or grouping similar plants together can help to create a more humid environment.
Keep in mind cacti and succulents, prefer dry air and bright, direct light with no shade at all. They definitely don’t require extra humidity.
Listen to your Plants
Pay attention. Houseplants are quick to tell you when they need help and they send signals the way that they look. If you’re spotting discolored leaves, drooping stems, and little or no growth, that usually gives you enough time to make things right.
Observing your plant will tell you when to water and when to not, if the temperature is too high or too low, and if it’s getting enough sun. Plus it’s a good excuse to stop and stare at their beauty.
Don’t be afraid to repot
Spring is a great time to check on plants’ roots and size up pots as needed. Or, about 2-3 weeks after you’ve brought your plant baby home from the nursery. They’re not meant to live in the plastic containers they’re sold in and deserve some fresh soil too! It’s a good idea to give your plants a few weeks to settle into their new home, but after that, we recommend taking a close look at the roots and sizing up if needed. If your plant is in a flexible container (like plastic), you can squeeze the sides as a test to see how tightly the roots are filling it. A pot with more room often feels relatively soft when squeezed, whereas a rootbound plant will feel hard and tight.
Furthermore, you might want to consider repotting if you are seeing some health issues with your plant. It could be rootbound or depleted of nutrients and in need of fresh potting mix.
Less is actually, more!
A plant can recover faster from being deprived of water than one given excess water. Too much water can lead to root rot. To rescue an overwatered plant, you may need to repot the plant and remove any unhealthy roots and over watered soil before moving the plant into a new pot. To avoid over watering, ditch your plant watering schedule and see our advice above about always checking the soil first! Keep in mind, plants need less water in the winter and room temperature water is always better than hot or cold. Keep your watering container filled, so when it’s time your water temp is just right.
Droopy, wilting leaves or soil that is cracked and super dry are signs of a thirsty plant.
Prune your plants to keep them growing!
You know how your hairdresser tells you trimming off dead ends will actually help your hair grow faster? The same is true for plants! Getting rid of old-growth helps your plants send energy to the healthiest leaves, as yellow and brown crispy leaves will not turn green again.
All you need is a pair of pruning shears or sharp scissors and you’re ready to go. Start by removing fallen leaves and then look for brown, crispy leaves or leave that are yellowing.
Cut leaves that are entirely brown or yellow at the base, but be sure not to tug the leaves, as this can damage healthy parts of the plant. For leaves with just yellow or brown tips, you can just trim the affected parts. Be careful not to remove too much of the plant at once. Start small and you can always come back for more.
Just keep growing, just keep growing….
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