How To Keep Your Indoor Plants Healthy
Plants add color, freshness, and warmth to the home. A touch of green brings in natural beauty which is why most people want to bring plants into their space. However, not everyone has a ‘green thumb’. Some people, no matter how much they try, cannot seem to keep a plant alive.
Here are some tips on how to keep the plants alive and thriving, even when inside.
1. Do not overwater.
Most of the time, we are concerned that we are not watering enough when in fact, we are watering too much. A simple way to know if your plants need watering is to stick your finger into the soil all the way to the second knuckle. If it feels dry at your fingertip, then it’s the sign that your plants need water. When watering, make sure to water the entire roots. Pour water onto the soil at a slow, deliberate pace, until the water starts escaping from the drainage holes of the container. Do not overwater. Overwatering kills plants.
2. Increase humidity and prevent drafts.
Indoor conditions can dry plants out. Make sure to keep plants away from vents and dry windows. Move them to a place with more humidity like the bathroom or keep them close together. Plants create humidity on their own, so sticking them together will help. If you only have one plant, put rocks in a container, and pour water in. Then place the plant on top of the rocks. The water below the rocks will evaporate and help create moisture for the plant.
3. Provide the right light.
Every plant has different light requirements. Make sure to research your plant’s ideal light conditions and place the plant accordingly around your space. Some prefer direct sunlight, but this may be hard to achieve indoors. Fluorescent lights can work as an alternative to sunlight for some indoor plants.
4. Fertilizer is a must.
Indoor plants require regular fertilizing to maintain healthy growth. Every time a plant is watered, nutrients leach out of the soil. Unlike plants living outside, indoor plants do not have access to natural sources of nutrient replenishment, unless you fertilize them regularly.
5. Prune your plant if needed.
Sometimes leaves die and it is perfectly normal. But once they are dead, they are never coming back. This is the best time to trim the leaves off. If you leave sick leaves on your plants, they waste energy and nutrients tending to these sick areas. Cutting the dead leaves gives space for new leaves to grow.
Here are some products to help you get started with your indoor gardening journey: