How to Care For Houseplants
Whether or not houseplant mania in 2020 has ended the trend of filling your home with lush indoor plants will continue. Learn how to take care of these easy-care favorites!
Your plant's unhappiness is evident by the dry-out leaves and drooping stalks. But don't throw out the trowel just yet!
Light Requirements
The amount of light a plant needs is among the most crucial factors in the success of its growth. All plants require light for photosynthesis. This is the process of turning sunlight and water into energy to aid in blooming, growth, and the production of seeds. If a plant doesn't receive enough light, it will fail to produce the energy required for these processes.
The requirements for light for a houseplant are an important factor to take into consideration when choosing a spot for it in your office or home. The label on the plant or a bit of research will reveal if it thrives in bright direct sunlight, indirect, bright sunlight; medium light or low light. You may require an instrument to measure the intensity of natural sunlight. A specialized horticultural light or grow lamp can also be used to enhance the available light.
Direct sunlight is light that shines directly on the plant, typically on the windowsill. Direct sunlight is blocked by shade, curtains or trees that are outside the window. Both types of light do not provide the same energy as bright sunlight.
You can estimate the amount of light your plant receives by having it stand it in front of a window and look at the shadows it produces. A shadow with clear, distinct lines indicates direct sunlight, whereas a shadow with edges that are dappled indicates a place that receives moderate light.
Rooms that get little sunlight, or windows that face either west or north are likely to have low-light conditions. Plants that thrive in low-light conditions have straggly or pale foliage. They could be leaning towards the light or appear "leggy."
It is possible to help plants in low-light conditions by providing it with a synthetic light source. It is crucial to think about the type of artificial light you select and where it will be placed. A fluorescent light, for instance is a good choice because it emits the spectrum of light needed by plants. It emits green light and an occasional amount of blue light. Plants use the red and blue light to produce chlorophyll during photosynthesis. In contrast, an incandescent light bulb produces only green light, and does not supply many of the other colors required for plant growth.
Watering
Houseplants provide an attractive green accent to the office and home. They can soften the harsh lines and bright lights, and even improve indoor air quality. The best way to enjoy your houseplants is by keeping them healthy and happy. The amount of water a plant receives can have a significant effect on its health. One of the most common mistakes is overwatering, which could cause root rot or other serious conditions. It is also essential to water your plants slowly so the liquid seeps into the soil, not flowing off the surface. You can weigh a potted plants after watering to gauge how moist the soil is.
Use room temperature water to water your houseplants. Cold or hot water could shock the roots. Try collecting rainwater for your plants. It's free of most minerals and salts and helps restore the balance of the soil. However, if you do use tap water, make sure it's not softened or treated with chlorine, because these substances can accumulate in the soil over time.
It may take some trial and error to figure out the amount of water a houseplant requires. Many houseplants come from tropical areas and have large leaves that require a lot of water to appear at their best. They need to be regularly watered, more often than desert denizens like cacti or succulents, which do better when the soil dries out between waterings.
In general, a plant needs more water in spring and summer and less during the winter and fall when it is in dormancy. It is essential to water plants according to their seasonal needs instead of following a set schedule. This could cause a plant to be overwatered at one time of the year and drowned the next.
Apart from watering, it's important to feed your houseplant on a regular basis and keep an eye on it for pests and diseases. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer can help to replace the nutrients sucked out of the soil through frequent watering. It's also a good idea to spray the leaves of plants with fungicide or insecticidal soap to stop the spread of insects or mites.
Fertilizing
Houseplants are frequently fed incorrectly, or not even fed. This can lead to slow or even dead growth. Indoor plants don't have the same access to nutrients as plants in the outdoors.
Knowing when and what type of fertilizer you need to apply is crucial to feeding your houseplants the right way. Many houseplants require high amounts of nitrogen in order to promote the growth of flowers and foliage, but they also need phosphorus to help develop their roots. A good houseplant fertilizer should include both macronutrients and include organic as well as non-organic sources. While kitchen scraps and organic compost are great sources of these nutrients but they are not as effective as houseplant-specific liquid fertilizers or granular fertilizers.
Liquid fertilizers are among the most popular, as they're simple to use and are very convenient to carry around. It's crucial to study the label and follow directions to avoid over-fertilization. Certain liquids can be used up to once per week, while others should only be used less frequently. Consider slow-release or granular fertilisers to make a greener alternative. These products are coated with nutrients that slowly release to the plant.
During the growing season when the plant is in bloom, it is recommended to feed your houseplants once every two weeks with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen (24-8-16). When the weather turns cooler and the days get shorter then it's time to change to lower nitrogen (10-20-10) fertilizer. If your plant is new or newly potted, wait until it shows signs of settling into its dormant state before feeding.
It's also important to consider that the health of a houseplant is affected by other elements beyond its control, such as lighting, environmental conditions, and the way you water it. Overwatering your houseplant could cause root rot. The inability to water properly could cause the plant to slow down and eventually die. Follow these simple tips and your houseplant will flourish!
Repotting
Repotting is among the most crucial things you can do for your houseplant. It is essential to allow your plant to develop and to keep the soil loose and healthy. Repotting can also encourage new growth which is vital for an enviable houseplant. Repotting your plants is generally recommended at least once a year, though the exact timing of repotted plants can differ. Plants that are young need to be repotted more frequently than older ones.
If you are ready to transplant your plant, be sure that the soil drains well and that your pot is clean. Begin by watering your plant thoroughly just prior to repotting so that the soil is humid. This will help in leaching out any salts that have built up in the soil. When the soil is ready, choose your new pot and prepare the potting mix.
Remove your plant gently from the previous pot. Be tall house plants not to scratch the roots. After the roots have been removed, place the plant in the new pot and fill it up to the base. Press down on the top of the soil gently and fill the remaining gaps with potting mix. It can also be helpful to gently pull out the roots in order to prevent them from becoming tightly wrapped around the rootball.
The plant should be watered after you have put in the potting mixture. Then, you can rub the soil lightly to help the potting mix adhere to the roots. Be careful not to overwater, or you may end up with an unsanitary mess that will slow your plant's recovery and growth.
Repotting your plant in the spring is ideal. It is at this time that most plants will begin to expand, which will allow them to adapt to their new environment faster.
When repotting your plants, make sure to only increase by a size or two. The majority of houseplants fail well when moved up more than a couple of sizes as they become heavy on top and the potting mix becomes unwieldy and compacted.