10 Tips To Keep Your Houseplants Happy, Healthy And Alive

Bringing home new plants is exciting however taking care of them isn’t always the easiest when you’re not sure on where to start. If you want them to stay happy and healthy for as long as possible, you need to learn the plant care basics and find a routine that works for you and the plant. Not only do plants add style to your home, research has shown that plants can boost your mood, productivity, concentration and creativity. Below we have highlighted some top plant care tips to assist you in taking care of your new plants.

 

1. BUY FROM A NURSERY

If you are a beginner, it is best to go to a reputable garden centre or nursery as the staff can help you with selecting the correct plants for your home.

 

2. MATCH YOUR SKILLS

If you are new to being a plant parent, start with the hardy species first (pothos, snake plants, palm plant, succulents and cacti), they won't let you down. Once you've had more experience with these, move on to things that are a little bit more complicated.

 

3. MATCH WITH YOUR LIGHTING CONDITIONS

Know your place and choose a plant that matches the lighting conditions. Is the room shady? Does it get a lot of sunlight? Ask yourself these questions before buying a plant. If your place doesn’t get must sunlight, do not choose a plant that requires direct sunlight.

 

4. WATER NEEDS

The water needs of a plant are important. For your potted plants, you may be unsure of how often to water them however the soil will tell you when to water. If the first inch or so of soil is dry. If dry, this means that the plant needs water.

 

5. UNDERWATERING IS BETTER THAN OVERWATERING

A plant can recover faster from not having enough water than one given too much water. To rescue an overwatered plant, you may need to repot the plant and remove any unhealthy roots and overwatered soil before moving the plant into a new pot.

6. FOLLOW THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Plants usually come with care instructions on their label which indicate the needs of the plant. This will help you to familiarize yourself with the plant’s requirements for sunlight and watering.

  

7. DRAINAGE HOLES

Make sure the pots you choose have good drainage to avoid root rot caused by the roots sitting in still water for a long time. If the plant is outgrowing its pot, think about re-potting it into a bigger one.

 

8. TRY NOT TO REARRANGE YOUR PLANTS

Plants will get used to being in one place with a certain amount of light in your home so stop moving them around. Rearranging your plants often is a disruptive event to a plant life.

 

9. PRUNE YOUR PLANTS

Getting rid of old-growth/dead leaves on your plants will help them grow again. This will focus the plants’ vital energy towards the healthiest leaves and stop wasting resources on old ones.

 

  

10. DUST YOUR PLANTS

If your plants collect too much dust on their leaves, they cannot get the desired sunlight they may need to survive. A few times per year it is a good idea to use a wet cloth and lightly wipe down the leaves of your plants on both sides.

 

We hope these tips and tricks help you in keeping your houseplants happy, healthy and alive for a long period of time.