10 Tips For Successfully Caring For Your Plants
10 Tips For Successfully Caring For Your Plants
You probably have at least one houseplant in your home. If you do, or if you’re thinking about getting one, the best thing you can do to keep it healthy and looking its best is to care for it properly.
Following these simple tips will help you successfully care for your plants, and you’ll be enjoying their company well into the future!
1) Water Your Plants Weekly
Often, people are so focused on repotting and fertilizing that they forget to water their plants. This is a huge mistake.
Make sure you regularly check your plants for dryness. Over-watering can damage your plant but so can under-watering.
It’s not just about having enough water for survival; it’s also about having enough soil moisture to support healthy growth.
2) Be Patient With New Seeds
Young plants that are just starting need extra tender love and care.
Be sure to understand which type of plant you’re buying, as well as what stage it’s in, so you can know how best to care for it. It’s important not to forget about your seedlings at their most vulnerable!
3) Watch Out For Insects And Disease
Before you add a new plant to your collection, keep an eye out for insects or diseases. Is there an infestation of whiteflies on that ficus?
Does that palm tree have mealybugs crawling around its trunk? Take care of these issues before adding a new plant to your collection to avoid bringing home more trouble than you bargained for.
If these issues can’t be resolved, be prepared to remove them from your collection.
4) Let In Sunlight When Possible
Don’t keep your plants in a closet or under artificial lights. Although indoor plants can get by with less sunlight than outdoor plants, they do need at least some natural sunlight every day.
If it isn’t possible to let them sit near windows during daylight hours, give them fluorescent bulbs to mimic daylight instead.
Keep in mind that fluorescent light still doesn’t carry as much energy as direct sunlight, so you may find that your plants don’t thrive as well under artificial lights alone.
5) Give Them Good Soil
Just like humans, plants need a balanced diet to thrive. Make sure you’re giving them nutrient-rich soil by mixing in compost or other organic materials.
If your plant doesn’t have enough space in its container, you can also add slow-release fertilizer pellets to give it a boost when needed.
Just make sure that if you opt for chemical fertilizers and such, use them sparingly!
Too many of these chemicals can end up being detrimental to your plant rather than helpful.
6) Move Potted Plants During Extreme Weather Changes
When you bring a potted plant inside for winter, you can help it stay healthy by placing it in an area where it will get bright but indirect sunlight.
You should also keep a thermometer near your plants so that you can monitor temperature fluctuations since temperatures under 55 degrees F and over 75 degrees F can harm your plant.
If possible, avoid extreme temperature fluctuations by moving your potted plants to a room where they won’t be exposed to sudden changes in weather.
7) Repot Every 2 Years
Unless you have a bonsai, your plant needs room to grow. Once a year, repot into a larger pot.
If you want to keep your plant forever (or until it dies), give it away or discard it when it gets too big for its container.
If you’re gifting, be sure to include instructions on how often and how much water they should use. Repotting is particularly important if you’re planning on taking care of your plant for more than one season.
8) Keep Houseplants Up High
It’s easier to care for plants when they’re in a convenient location, and that means keeping them out of reach of small hands.
Consider putting them on a high shelf or table where they’ll be safely stored away from curious fingers. If you live with kids or pets, consider an indoor plant shelf instead.
What do you love about houseplants? Tell us!
9) Do Not Overwater Or Underwater
Regardless of how often you water your plants, make sure not to water them too much or too little.
Both overwatering and underwatering can cause unnecessary stress for your plants, leading to their early death.
Rather than watering every day or watering just once a week, try watering every other day to keep things simple.
10) Read Plant Labels And Get Advice From A Gardener Or Nursery
If you’re a novice gardener, it’s a good idea to read plant labels carefully and to discuss any questions with a professional.
You can also find plenty of information online about caring for your plants. If you’re shopping at a nursery, ask an employee for advice or share your concerns; they are trained professionals and generally will be happy to help.
Most nurseries also offer workshops on specific care topics.
