We're on a plant kick recently. Maybe that's because it's near time to enjoy plants indoors rather than outdoors? Recently, we talked about hard-to-kill houseplants, and now we come at you with plant care. Here are the best ways not to kill your plant &mdash even if it's near indestructible to begin with.
For plant care tips, our favorite plant expert, Debra Prinzing, recommends the following:
• 1. Water sparingly. Once a week should be sufficient if your plant has adequate drainage, a suitable saucer or trap beneath the container and isn't root-bound.
• 2. Give it a rest. It's OK to cut back a bit on watering and completely on feeding during the fall and winter. Allow your plant its natural dormant period.
• 3. See the light. If you have a bright, south-facing or west-facing window, choose your plants accordingly. Unfortunately, most home have lower light levels, so choose plants that grow well in indirect or filtered light conditions.
Debra notes that most of the best indoor plants are actually tropical plants, so it's important to replicate their natural environment &mdash meaning, humidity. In the winter, when it's dry, she suggests leave the plant in the bathroom for a week every now and then to soak up shower steam.
If you have questions about specific plants, Debra recommends PlantCare.com, a comprehensive Web site of information about indoor houseplants, including an encyclopedia (if you're not sure what you have), plant care tips, a shop, and a discussion form.
More on Apartment Therapy:
5 Questions and Answers About Interior Plants
How To: Prepare Your Plants for a Move
Escapes: Caring for Plants While You're Away
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Oh! Thanks for these tips. I like to think I take good care of my plants, but sometimes it gets away from me.
Emily
view Emily Sneds's profile
I always wonder about how effective it is to leave plants in the bathroom for humidity. We probably only have the shower running 20 minutes per day, out of 24 hours.
view spossberg's profile
I forgot to add one very important tip! Debra recommends putting a saucer under a houseplant, so that the water can actually flow through the soil and go into the saucer instead of making the roots rot. - Lindsey
view sassafrassy's profile
Great tips for beginners!!!!!
I think over-watering is the most common mistake made by plant owners. Read up on your plant and water sparingly. It's better to err on the side of under-watering. However, there's no reason for your plant to suffer, so read up on them!
view jeffnyc's profile
This comes at a great time. The leaves on our first large houseplant are turning brown. It could be overwatering!
Also, I keep finding these small worm/centipede looking things in the soil. What are they, and how can we get rid of them?
view jumpyfroggy's profile
JumpyFroggy: If your plants are turning brown but you're still keeping them watered, you might need to repot. They are probably getting root-bound in the bottom. Usually if plants are watered too much they turn yellow. (Don't know what to tell you about the worms but I would get them outta there!)
view clampers's profile
Putting them outside when a light rain starts is probably the best tip we follow.
view asked you first's profile
--"In the winter, when it's dry, she suggests leave the plant in the bathroom for a week every now ant then to soak up shower steam."--
Better yet, get a humidifier or two. Not only are they good for your plants they are good for your skin, helps keep the dust down and in dry climates like I live in, good for the sinuses.
PS if you have ants, talk to your landlord.
view LizinCO's profile
Thanks for catching the spelling error, LizinCO. I fixed it. - Lindsey
view sassafrassy's profile
Thanks for the catch, LizinCO. I fixed it. - Lindsey
view sassafrassy's profile
No plant ever to enter my home has ever survived no matter what I do. I think I scare them to death.
view OnlyCheryl's profile