Plant Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks for indoor plants
The best part that you can do for indoor plants is a study their growing circumstances and mimics them as closely as possible. Take immediate action if you notice a situation developing. If you are searching for tips and tricks to keep your indoor plants healthy and happy, let’s look at a few of the many houseplant tips and methods you may utilize in our brief houseplant care guide.
Purchase from a reputable store:
Plants should be purchased from a reliable source such as The Sill, your local garden center, specialist merchants, or florists. Avoid huge department stores and supermarkets if you're a first-time plant parent since plants are frequently housed in basements or gloomy warehouses. When you buy from a company that has plant specialists on staff, you can be certain that they will be able to answer all of your inquiries. Yellow leaves, powdery mildew, weird patches, brown tips, and weak stems are all indicators of an unhealthy plant, so keep an eye on it.
Select plants that will fit into your schedule:
These should still be in good shape when you return from your next trip. If you have more time, consider air plants, orchids, or ferns that love to be seen. An extra spray of filtered water daily between waterings, similar to a facial mist, keeps humidity levels lovely and balanced for these sensitive plants.
Choose plants depending on your light:
Most houseplants enjoy bright, indirect sunlight, although some (such as low-light tolerant snake plants and ZZ plants) may endure lower light levels. A busy work schedule, social life, or general forgetfulness can contribute to unintentional plant neglect. It'll be OK. Some plants can tolerate such circumstances. Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant succulents, ZZ plants, or snake plants, all of which are relatively low-key, will appeal to a jet-setter like you, as long as they receive enough light (bright and low light, respectively). You may want to use a small curtain to lessen the light if the sun shines brilliantly through your windows. You don't want to overexpose or underexpose your plants, so keep an eye on them whether they're in bright or low light.
Match plants with light conditions:
All houseplants benefit from natural light; however, some require more than others. Some people enjoy the bright light of a south-facing window, while others prefer the gentle light of an east-facing window in the morning. Distance from the window will alter light intensity and quality. Even if the plant has sufficient water, too much sunshine may turn the foliage dull green to yellowish, and the leaves may wilt. Plants that do not receive light become lanky and less compact.
The soil necessities to be refreshed:
Remove the plant from its pot, cut the root ball back, and put it in a clean pot the same size with new potting soil. Break apart the root ball a little and pot up to a size 1-2" bigger if it's severely pot bound. When you buy the proper plant for the right place, you may be successful with houseplants straight away. Don’t try to cultivate a sun-loving plant in a gloomy space, and don’t place shade lovers in full light. Pay attention to their requirements during the winter months, and you'll have a lush indoor garden as the snow falls.
Increase the low Humidity:
We've all seen the effects of low humidity on our skin. On the other hand, lack of humidity affects a large number of indoor plants, particularly in the winter. The moisture in your house can drop considerably when the heat is switched on. Consider how different that is for a plant living outside only a few weeks ago. Browning leaf tips may be the first sign of a problem.
Repotting isn't a bad idea:
A common misunderstanding is that "repotting" means replacing your plant's soil with fresh potting mix to supply new nutrients, not necessarily putting it in a new planter. Depending on how active they are in their growth, plants need to be repotted every 12 to 18 months. You may also use this opportunity to size up if your plant has outgrown its present planter. Select a planter that is only 1 to 3 inches bigger than the present one. The idea is that your plant isn't swimming in the dirt, which might lead to overwatering and instead has some more room to flourish.
Water should be in a correct manner:
Houseplants, like any containerized plants, require frequent and thorough watering. Wet the entire root ball and drain any surplus water from the pot's bottom. Leave no more than a day or two of standing water in the catch-tray. This can lead to the spread of root infections. Before watering again, let the soil dry out a little. To check for dampness, stick your finger into the top 2 inches of soil. It's probably time to water if it's dry. It will be heavy after watering, but as it dries out, it will get lighter. Once a month or two, water intensively (refilling the container four or five times) to prevent salts from building up in the soil. It's easiest to accomplish this by putting the plant in a sink or removing it outside.
Maintain constant temperatures:
Maintain as much consistency as possible in your plant's surroundings. Drastic changes can stress plants. Keep your plants away from radiators, air conditioners, and forced-air vents, which can generate hot or cold draughts, and keep the temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
When to use fertilizer and when to avoid it:
When fertilizing your houseplants, be cautious. Fertilizers used in excess might cause more damage than good. Fertilizer is not required as frequently for indoor plants as for outside ones. If you decide to fertilize your plant, do it during the growing season (early spring to early fall) and stick to the general guideline of 'less is more.' Most store-bought fertilizers should be diluted with water before usage. You can fertilize your plant for the first time if you've kept it for at least a year. We recommend that you use an all-purpose fertilizer. Always pay attention to the directions. If you've just altered your soil, don't use fertilizer! There are plenty of new nutrients in fresh soil.
Don't forget about drainage:
Keep drainage in mind if you have a habit of watering your plants with a heavy hand. You can use a planter with a drainage hole and saucer, put your plant in a grow pot within a planter, or fill a planter with lava rocks if it doesn't have one (to create crevices for excess water to flow to). Do what seems right to you! Don't be afraid to try out different ways for different plants.