Does raising plants feel like rocket science to you? As someone with a home full of live plants (after many leafy casualties), I completely understand. After years of struggle, I found that these tips help them thrive.
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Location, Location, Location
Poor lighting is one of the main reasons why your plants struggle to grow. So before you even buy a new indoor plant, you should consider potential locations in your home to place it. Pay attention to the intensity of light in those areas.
Then, shop for plants with their location in mind because each one has a specific lighting need. You’ll often see this information on the plant tag as full, partial, or shade.
Here are the general lighting guidelines (specific to the Northern Hemisphere):
- Full Sun: 6 to 8 hours of direct light; south-facing window
- Partial Sun: 4 to 6 hours of indirect light; east or west-facing window
- Shade: Less than 4 hours of indirect sunlight; north-facing window
If you already own plants, look for the lighting information on their tags. You can also use image lookup features on your phone to find more information about your plants.
You should always avoid placing your plants near a fireplace or furnace vents, because the heat can dry them out.
Most indoor plants prefer moderate humidity (between 40 and 60%). If your hygrometer reads a lower value than this range, spray some water on your plants or consider moving them to a different location.
5
Choose Hardy Plants
If you don’t have a good track record with plants, it’s a good idea to look for tough houseplants that don’t need constant supervision. Beginner-friendly plants like Snake Plant, ZZ Plant, Spider Plant, Pothos, and Monstera are resilient and can handle a bit of neglect in their watering and lighting requirements.
I used to work in a dark computer lab without any windows, but my snake plant thrived there. Once, I forgot to bring it home for a 4-day weekend. It proved its worth by surviving in complete darkness!
With experience, I know that orchids, ferns, and crotons are a big no-no for beginners. They don’t tolerate even the slightest lighting and watering changes. So if your thumb isn’t as green as you’d like, stay away from these plants until you gain more experience with the easy ones.
4
Water Mindfully
Almost every new plant owner is guilty of overwatering. Remember, too much of anything is not good, including water. We tend to show our love by overwatering our plants, but this can cut off oxygen going to the roots, causing root rot and death.
If you see yellowing on the leaves or flaccid, weak branches along with wet soil, it’s a telltale sign that your plant is not receiving enough nutrients from the rotten roots. Overwatering can also lead to the growth of mold and fungal infections.
On the other end of the spectrum, some don’t water their plants enough. Without enough water, the roots will dry out and die.
So how can you find that elusive Goldilocks zone of watering just right? Unfortunately, there is no single formula or frequency. It all comes down to the individual plant, lighting conditions, humidity, temperature, and time of year.
As a general rule, water only if the soil on top is dry. Most of the time, the issue is not that you’re pouring a lot of water at once—it’s that you’re watering too frequently. Don’t let the plant sit in water; empty the saucer often. On the other hand, don’t forget to water your plant for weeks. Check in at least once a week.
Also, learn to spot the first signs of trouble, like yellow leaves or droopy stems. Take action immediately to avoid casualties later. If the soil is too wet, remove it, trim the roots, and re-pot with dry soil. For dried soil, give the plant a soak in a bowl of water for 30 minutes. Start watering it normally after two days.
3
Find the Right Pot
Feel free to leave your plant in the same pot it came with from the nursery; if you prefer, feel free to place it in a fancier pot for aesthetics. If you find that the original pot is too small for your plant, you can change it to a new pot, but be sure to get one with drainage holes.
I don’t recommend pots without holes. There’s no way for the excess water to escape, which is not healthy for your plants.
A terracotta pot is an excellent option because it comes with a hole at the bottom and is usually inexpensive. You can also buy saucers to catch the water. Terracotta is also porous, so if you overwater the plant by accident, it won’t do any major harm.
If you want something elegant, ceramic is a fantastic choice. But do yourself a favor and check for drainage holes to avoid heartbreak later. You can also get pots with a saucer attached, which are convenient. Plastic pots are lightweight, and they are the best for large plants.
Along with the right material, the size of the pots matters too. Too small, and there will be no room for the root to grow. If you well-meaningly place your small plant in a big pot, you’re likely to overwater it. As a rule of thumb, larger and longer plants need deeper pots, and shorter plants like cacti and moss prefer shallow pots.
2
Take Them Outdoors
This is an effective technique to keep your plants glowing. As most indoor plants are tropical, they’re capable of being out in the sunlight. But most of them are hidden under the canopy of large trees, and may not receive direct sunlight. So place your plants in a shady area.
I got this idea from a friend who would leave her hibiscus plant outside in summer and bring it inside in winter. My hibiscus plant is thriving outside in the warm weather now—it’s full of flowers every day.
The leaves of your indoor plants can get sunburned, like our skin. It’s crucial to check your plants often to avoid problems with over-sunning. Experts recommend placing the plants outdoors only if the temperature is consistently above 15C (59F).
You can try putting plants out for only a few hours in early summer to help them with a smooth transition.
In addition, remember to increase the frequency of watering when putting your plants outside. Since the temperature is warmer outside, your plants will dry out more quickly.
1
Show Some TLC
Plants are living beings, so they thrive with a little bit of care. For starters, feed them fertilizer to ensure they get all the proper nutrients. A balanced NPK fertilizer is a good one to look for. It has nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal amounts. Check the package for instructions on application and frequency.
Also, consider that plants in the wild are regularly cleaned by rain and wind, leaving their leaves green and healthy. Our indoor plants, by contrast, are often laden with a layer of dust, which can interfere with photosynthesis and provide a hiding space for pests. To combat this, clean your plants with mild soapy water and a microfiber cloth. You can also use a mix of vinegar and water.
The cleaning activity can be calming and relaxing if you have plants with large leaves, like Birds of Paradise or Monstera. But it can quickly become cumbersome with plants like Pothos that have a considerable number of small leaves to clean. An easy way to clean such plants is to tie a plastsic bag around the soil and shower them. This way, the plant is cleaned quickly without the wet soil splashing everywhere.
In addition, spend some time with your plants and get to know them. I’m not saying you need to indulge in a conversation, but using plant-care apps like PictureThis or Planta will help you understand their characteristics, environmental preferences, and common issues. By doing this, you can keep an eye out for any potential diseases or pests.
Whether you’re a struggling plant owner or someone looking to start this rewarding hobby, I encourage you to try these tips. Choose the right location, water with care, and shower the plants with love to see them blossom and bring you joy.