No matter what houseplant you have at home , they all have similar introductory motivation . The veracious approaching to indoor plant care will keep them in tip - top form .
If you do n’t weigh yourself a immature thumb , indoor plant care can sense a little overwhelming . However , most of your plants wo n’t need constant attending to stay healthy . Other than remember to water system , there are plenty ofeasy - care houseplantsthat will only need a little maintenance a few times each yr . When you need to step in and do some pruning or snip away a fewleaves that are starting to turn yellowed , these tips will give you the knowledge you need to care for your plant with confidence .
1. Water Houseplants As Needed
All houseplant have slightlydifferent watering requirements , depending on how they ’re grown and how their growth changes through the time of year . It ’s best to water on an as - demand foundation rather than by a coiffe calendar docket . In ecumenical , plants grown in well - enfeeble potting mix in an appropriate - size container should be watered when the top 1/2 to 1 inch of soil feel dry . Cacti and succulents involve less water ; flowering plant ordinarily need slightly more .
To body of water , let a slow current of piss ( from your watering can or the pat ) douse into the plant ; once you see it start draining from the pot ’s drain hole , the land is well pure . invalidate splashing onto leaves and stems , which can encourage disease and leaf maculation .
Overwatering is one of the most unwashed cause of houseplant end . If you ’re not sure how much to water , it ’s better to err on the dry side than to give your plants too much moisture .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
2. Adjust Humidity Levels
Many pop houseplant , such as pothos andcalathea , prefer a somewhat humid environs . To counteract the dry affect of strain conditioning in the summertime and heat systems in the winter , avoid placing indoor plants near vents . Adding a humidifier to your spacewill facilitate your humidity - loving plant , while clustering houseplants together can also help them bear onto wet in the melodic phrase . Note that succulent and other desert plants are an exception — they like a teetotal environment .
3. Fertilize Houseplants Periodically
Like overwatering , it ’s important toavoid overfertilizing your houseplants . Too much fertilizer can burn their roots and stunt their growth . For flowering varieties , use a fertilizer in which the three number on the label ( nitrogen , atomic number 15 , and potassium , respectively ) are comparatively equal . If the N subject matter is too eminent , the plant may grow a lot of leaves , but few flowers . It ’s also a good idea to use a fertilizer that includes micronutrient to avoid deficiencies .
4. Propagate Houseplants When Needed
Several type ofhouseplants gain from being propagatedby naval division or other method once in a while . It help oneself to rejuvenate an overgrown plant and encourage wise outgrowth . Plus , it ’s an cheap way to get more plants out of the ones you already have .
Some houseplants , such as bromeliads , send up Modern shoot at the foundation of the plant or offset , which you’re able to divide and put into young muckle . mounting houseplants such asphilodendronandpothosform fresh etymon where their base come into contact with soil , so they ’re good candidates forstarting new plants from cuttings . And you’re able to settle newAfrican violetsfrom a single folio ; just put the root terminal in a bit of water for a duet of weeks .
Other houseplants , such asspider plantand strawberrybegonia , regurgitate by sending out base runner with Modern plantlet at the remainder . It ’s super simple to root these to start novel plant ; normally , you just need tosoak the base of the plantlet in H2O for a few daysto help them develop root , and then you could plant them in stain .
Place African violet leaves in a jar of water to root new plants.Credit: Julie Maris Semarco
5. Repot Overgrown Houseplants
Not certain if yourhouseplants require repotting ? Check the root scheme . If the roots are circling the inside of the container , it may be time to repot the plant . If the plant has outgrown its pot , you cantransplant it into a more or less larger container . If you ’d wish to keep it in the same pot , trim off some of the root with a sharp knife and replant it into the container usingfresh potting soil . Spring and summer are the best seasons for repotting your houseplants .
Repotting and propagationcan go hired hand - in - deal . As you repot your houseplant , it ’s also a ripe metre to divide those with multiple stems to create newfangled plants .
6. Remove Dust From Plants
Almost all houseplant expect better with regular cleaning . Dust amass on leaf , sowash them with a soft showerof room - temperature water or dust them with a soft brush if the industrial plant have hirsute leaves ( which can hold onto wet and encourage disease ) . For plant life with smooth farewell , you may also use a fabric to gently wipe away any dust that collects on leave . Not only does this improve your flora ’s visual aspect , but it ’ll really help it to dowse up more light .
7. Prune and Pinch Back Houseplants
you could prune any time of the year , but fall is a natural metre to break out your pruning scissor grip after a summertime of growth . The main understanding for pruning houseplant are to make them look better and keep them from get too large . alike to propagating , cutting overgrown houseplant back to 4 to 6 inches magniloquent help oneself restore them . This technique is good in further new development for trailing plants such asSwedish ivyandpothosthat may have become bare at their bases . attempt to make your cuts just above a solidifying of buds or side shoot on a stem you require to cut back . These are where the young growth will start . Also , remove any dead or diseased leaves and stem to facilitate preclude the problem from spread .
Pinching mean removing prow tips , either with your fingernails or pruners . Pinch out the tip of a shank and the topmost leaves to boost the growth of side bud . plant that grow chop-chop often look skilful with frequent pinching to keep them heavyset and broad .
8. Deadhead Flowers and Remove Dying Leaves
Trim pass off flowersfrom your plants to encourage more rosiness and help prevent disease job . While you ’re at it , be sure to remove yellow , chocolate-brown , or withered leaves . Use a narrow-minded - blade hand pruner or sharp scissor grip to make a clean cutting without tearing the plant ’s stem . It ’s a good idea to wipe off the blade of your lopper with rubbing alcohol before moving on to a different plant to invalidate spread any pests and disease .
9. Control Insect Pests
Several insects commonly attack houseplant . Insecticidal soap is an comfortable - to - use , effective treatment for most easygoing - corporal pests such as aphid and spider mites . A forceful spraying of piddle from the hosepipe helps pick apart down the universe of these pests , too . Rubbing intoxicant is effective on insects with waxy coatings such as scale and mealy bug ; swab it on with a cotton ball .
No matter what discourse you use , be consistent . For tight - reproducing cuss such as aphids and wanderer mite , you may need to do by flora once a week for a month or so to be rid of the pests .
Fungus gnats are flyspeck pitch-dark fliesthat buzz around the land and are usual houseplant pest , though they ’re often obscure with fruit flies . You typically seefungus gnatsin large numbers game whenplants are overwatered . Allow the territory surface to dry between watering and make certain to clear away any numb leafage on the soil control surface . In extreme caseful , you may want to try repotting your plant life into impudent filth and a fresh container .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
10. Watch for Houseplant Diseases
Remove and destroydiseased houseplants or affected leavesor halt as they develop to keep the spread of the disease . Some diseases spread by insect , so keeping the insect universe in check helps forestall these problem . A fewcommon houseplant diseasesto keep an heart out for includepowdery mildew(looks like powdery white spots on leaves ) , fungous leaf point ( can be yellow , brown , or black spots on parting ) , and source rot ( bathetic , dark - color roots usually due to overwatering ) .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Marty Baldwin
