When it comes to taking care of your indoor plants, it’s safe to say they need just as much care and attention as the ones that that live outside. Regular feeding, watering and sunlight are standard methods of maintaining plants, but what is it about indoor plants that you should specifically adhere to?
If you would like to learn how to look after your indoor plants then continue reading and follow these top tips.
Choose the right plants for you
Every plant needs a different kind of care, so be sure to buy the plants that fit well with your lifestyle and circumstances – not to mention your surroundings. It wouldn’t be worth trying to grow a rose, which requires six hours of full sun, on a porch that is only likely to get an hour of sun at the most. Do your homework and work out what plants are going to thrive best in your home.
Expose your plants to light
All plants need light in order to grow, and indoor plants are no exception. A window, therefore, is an ideal place for your indoor plants to sit so they can be exposed to as much natural light as possible. Failing that, you can also invest in an indoor grow light to sit next to your plant if needs be. Just be sure to place your plant in a tray or dish when next to a window so they can catch the drips from watering and condensation.
Water when needed
Water is another essential element in order for plants to be healthy and continue to grow. However not too much or too little, as the effect will then be reversed. Larger plants in bigger pots need watering less often than plants in very small pots, as these tend to dry out every couple of days.
It’s worth doing a little research when it comes to watering your plants to make sure you are giving your plants the correct amount. For example, a cactus needs less water than a plant with broad leaves.
Keep an eye on pests
It’s true that even indoor plants can attract insects and pests, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t techniques for combatting this issue.
Plants with thin leaves tend to attract spider mites, whilst others can receive a visit from mealybugs and fruit flies. If you learn how to identify these pests and the correct ways in order to treat them, it will make your job a lot easier. If there is a specific bug or pest you are unsure you, you can ask your local garden centre or browse online for handy ways to rid pests and mites.
Choose a nice pot for your plants
Indoor plants are a part of your interior decor, so choose a pot that is going to match your furnishings. Not only this but ensure, as previously mentioned, that you place a tray underneath your pot or planter with about an inch of aquarium gravel in it. Once you water the plant, the water will evaporate around the plant making the surrounding air a little more humid – and this is especially advantageous in winter.
However, it’s important that you don’t let the water touch the bottom of the plant, because doing so can make result in your plant’s roots rotting and even dying. When you water, wipe up any spills quickly so that the condensation underneath your tray doesn’t damage wood or painted surfaces.
Choose the right potting mix
A common mistake often made in gardening is what soil to use for your indoor plants. If you are planting seedlings, it’s vital you don’t use soil from your garden because it can contain weed seeds, insects and fungal diseases.
It is much more useful to choose potting soil from your local garden centre, as it’s a looser and lighter mixture. Certain plants may require a specific type of mixture so be sure to buy the correct one.
Deadhead your plants when necessary
Deadheading, otherwise known as pinching or cutting off faded blooms, is an essential part of indoor plant maintenance. It’s a great way to encourage a plant to keep producing more flowers once the old parts have been removed.
Some plants, however, are far too small in terms of stems and flowers and would therefore be too time-consuming to snip off every individual flower head, which is why it’s best to shear the plant as a whole to about a third of its size. A week after doing this process, you will be greeted with a flush of new buds and blossoming blooms.
If you perhaps don’t have the time to do this process you can always opt for plants that are ‘self-cleaning’ meaning they don’t tend to need deadheading or shearing. These are usually bloomers that are covered in relatively small flowers that tend to shrivel up and disappear on their own. Some examples are mini petunias and browallia plants.
Having indoor plants can really make a difference to the overall look and feel of your home, and are great centerpieces for entertaining guests or simply making a room look finished. They can be incredibly welcoming and have the ability to give your house a fresh and floral vibe no matter what the season may be.
There are many more tips to follow when it comes to taking care of your indoor plants, but we think these are a great starting point to get yourself on the right foot to successful plant maintenance.
In addition, if you are looking for ways to rid pests, as mentioned in this post, and you need some help, why not see what Nemasys have to offer? With a range of products including Vine Weevil Killer and No Ants, you will be well on your way to having beautiful, fresh and healthy indoor plants.