Houseplants are great things to have around the house. They clean the air, add a little extra oxygen and help give a room a little cheeriness. Since our houseplants take such good care of us, we should do a little extra caring for them too.
Houseplants vary in how difficult they are to take care of. Some, like philodendra and spider plants, require next to no care. Others, such as orchids and African violets, require more involved care.
There are a few things that are basic to all houseplants. Read these tips to learn more about caring for your houseplant.
Read the tag. Most plants come with a care and instructions tag. It is very important that you pay attention to this tag. It will give you all the important information about water, light and temperature requirements. If you can, keep this tag with the houseplant. This way if you forget exactly what the plant needs, the tag will be right there to remind you.
Give the houseplant the right light. Light is the single most important thing to a plant. There are plants that can survive without much water, nutrients and even soil, but there are precious few plants that can survive without light. Giving your plant the right kind of light is even more important. If your houseplant needs high levels of light, make getting plenty of light. You may even want to supplement its light during the winter months with a fluorescent light bulb. For plants that need only a little light, they can survive in a room that has windows (but they don’t need to be near them)or a fluorescent bulb. But even low light houseplant can not survive in a windowless, regularly lit room.
Water by touch, not by schedule. There are two things that most commonly kill a houseplant and the both involve water. Either a plant is not watered enough or it is watered too much. While it may seem like you are caring for your houseplant by watering it once a week, you could actually be drowning it. The general rule of thumb is to feel the top of the soil every few days. If the soil feels dry, then it is time to water. If the soil is still slightly damp, your houseplant probably has enough to drink.
Feed your houseplant. Outdoor plants have plenty of opportunity to get the nutrients and food they need to survive. Even outdoor potted plants get some nutrients from the rain. Indoor bound houseplants do not have any such opportunities. You are their only source of food. Fertilize your houseplants with a slow release, low level fertilizer at least every three to six months, more if the houseplant is a heavy feeder.
Wash your houseplants. Yep, that’s right. Put those houseplants in the tub and give them a good shower. Outdoor plants have their impurities and dust washed away by the rain and wind. Simulate a caring Mother Nature for your houseplants by turning on the shower about once every two months.
Caring for your plants will be a breeze if you follow these few basic tips. And if you don’t have a houseplant, I would highly recommend buying one. Try taking a look at our Houseplants for Sale on eBay List to help you find a houseplant for you.