As any houseplant lover knows, there’s much more to keeping plants healthy than simply watering them every day. Each plant has its own specific requirements humidity, light, temperature and so on. The good news is that with a little research most anyone can succeed with caring for indoor plants.
The first step is to learn the needs of each type of plant you wish to grow. Most plants have a classification (typically on the label or on an online plant encyclopedia) that will give you guidelines to follow, such as ideal sunlight exposure and watering schedules. It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with common pests that can infest your plants and how to control them.
Many common houseplants are tropical and sub-tropical plants that get a lot of high humidity in their natural habitats. This is especially true during warm months, but it can be difficult to mimic this in an indoor environment. Humidity can cause leaf drop, encourage fungal growth, and even cause flowers to droop.
To increase the humidity in a room use a humidifier or place a bowl of water near your plants. You can also try misting your plants with a spray bottle but be careful not to overdo it. Too much water can lead to root rot and fungus.
Another way to ensure your plants are happy is to make sure the soil in which they are planted is appropriate. A good quality potting mix will have the right ratio of organic material and inorganic particles to keep your plants well-draining and healthy.
You should also consider your plant’s light needs when choosing the location where you will keep it. Most plants will have a legend on the tag or a little label stuck into the soil that indicates its ideal light conditions. The symbols will often mean full sun, half sun/half shade or a darkened sun. If the symbol is a full sun, this means it loves bright sunlight and should go in a sunny window. A half sun/half shade indicates it likes moderate light and can be placed in a south or east facing window. A darkened sun suggests it does best in lower light and can be put in a north-facing window.
When it comes to watering, the best way to tell if you’ve watered your plants too much is to look for mold on the surface of the soil or standing water at the bottom of the pot. If you see either of these signs, you’ll need to water your plant less often or less heavily in the future.
All of the care required for houseplants can seem overwhelming to a new plant parent. However, by following the tips in this article and taking care of your plants regularly, you can avoid the pitfalls that plague many beginners. Breaking up your chores into manageable tasks and focusing on a few small projects each week can also help to ease the load. Lastly, remember that the reward of growing beautiful, healthy plants is well worth the effort!