Bringing house plants into your home is a great way to boost ambiance and generate a feeling of happiness. Most of us can relate to that feeling of joy being short-lived when a few weeks later the plant leaves yellow and drop and, before we know it, all we’re left with is a wilting stem. To avoid losing a plant, the following tips can help your plants not only survive but thrive.
Before hanging or positioning your plant, research the type of plant, what kind of environment it thrives in, and how much light it needs. We recommend you try to replicate its natural habitat as closely as you can. Is it recommended your plant receive direct or indirect light? This is important to know – you don’t want your house plants to burn from too much sunlight exposure. Also, keep in mind, south-facing windows have the strongest levels of sunlight while north-facing windows have the weakest. Once you find the right location and the plant acclimates, try not to move it too often, so you don’t send your greenery into shock.
Use good soil
To ensure your leafy treasure gets the right amount of water, be sure to start with a good soil mix that contains enough space for air (oxygen) and water to flow through. Good thing you are in the right place. Good soil is our specialty here at Keleny Top Soil. Proper drainage is essential, so be sure the pot you choose to house your plant has adequate drainage holes, so the plant’s roots stay healthy.
Pay attention to watering
As a general rule of thumb, underwatering is better than overwatering. Too much water or improper draining results in root rot. Yet, by the same token, you want to make sure your plant’s roots are able to soak up enough water to be strong. Our advice is to stick your finger a couple of inches into the soil and see if you can feel moisture. When the top two inches of soil are dry, it’s time to give it some water. Think of it this way – some days you’re thirstier than others – plants aren’t too different in this respect. Only water your plants when they need it.
Be careful with fertilization
Most house plants don’t need fertilization, the only time you’ll want to use is if it’s struggling to survive. It’s better to not fertilize than over-fertilize because the latter could, unfortunately, kill a houseplant. Sometimes plants fail to thrive initially but with some TLC will change course.
Remove dust
It might sound weird but taking proper care of plants requires dusting! The reason being if too much dust accumulates, the plant cannot absorb proper levels of sunlight. We don’t recommend weekly dustings, just a few times a year should do the trick. All you need to do is take a wet cloth and carefully wipe down your plant’s leaves on both sides.
Taking care of house plants isn’t hard to do, but sometimes we just need to practice. To learn more about house plants and outdoor gardening, Keleny Top Soil, Inc. has more tips.