If you don’t have the right outdoor setup for gardening, you’re in luck! Growing houseplants is an excellent way to flex your green thumb; however, care requirements for these plants are a little different than your average garden. Plants can have long, luscious lives in the privacy of your own home. Use these gardening tips to help your indoor plants thrive, no matter your skill level.
Helping your indoor plants thrive is easy with a few gardening tips and tricks. Invite the beauty of Mother Nature inside and transform your home into a floral sanctuary.
Let the Light In
Plants convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, which requires light, and ultimately supporting a plants cellular activities for life. However, providing the right amount of light can be challenging for indoor plant parents. Many houseplants, like snake plants, do well with indirect or synthetic light—these plants may be a good option for those without much access to the sun.
Still, some people love plants that need direct exposure sunlight. Arranging them on windowsills or hanging them around natural light sources will give them the right amount of exposure. If you want to go big, install new windows to let the light in while updating your entire space.
Be Wary of Water
When it comes to outdoor gardening, people tend to underwater their plants. However, houseplant owners have the opposite problem. Indoor plants typically need less water to survive, meaning overwatering is a quick way to kill them. With many plant species it is easier to reverse unhealthy conditions caused by underwatering than unhealthy conditions, such as rot, caused by overwatering.
Houseplants get much of their H2O from indoor humidity. However, in winter when temperatures are very cold outside, humidity can be too low for plant health. You have to find ways of increasing the humidity or constantly misting plant. Just be careful. Some plants, like Coleus, don’t like to be misted. Leaves can get spotty of die. Some othery greenery, like air plants, only need a light misting to quench their thirst. For potted plants, adding water and letting excess drain from the bottom will keep them from drowning or getting root rot.
Pick the Right Pot
Plants have unlimited space to grow in an outside garden; indoor plants don’t have the same advantage. If you want to help your indoor plants thrive, you need the correct pot size to accommodate root growth.
Small pots don’t allow enough space for roots to grow, ultimately contributing to rot. On the other hand, large pots make it hard for plants to absorb valuable moisture. Choose a planter a few inches wider than the roots, and don’t be afraid to switch to a larger pot as your houseplant grows.
Keep Plants Clean
Did you know that you have to clean your plants to help them grow indoors? Dust particles sit on leaves and hinder their development. Pests like aphids can also infiltrate even the most well-insulated homes, chewing through leaves and disrupting your plant’s habitat.
Luckily, cleaning indoor greenery is simple! All you have to do is wipe them down with a rag and room temperature water. While you’re at it, snip off any brown, decaying leaves and buds to give your plants a much-needed facelift.
Of course, some care requirements may vary depending on the specific species, your home environment, and your local climate. Still, using these gardening tips will ensure your indoor plants live long and healthy lives.
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