Indoor plants provide beauty and health benefits, like adding humidity to the environment and purifying the air. But to achieve these benefits, you must keep your plants alive and healthy. So how can you keep your indoor plants alive and as beautiful as they were when purchased? Some factors relate to the environment, but others are actions you should take. Below are a few tips to keep your plants in the best condition.
WATER
Water plants regularly to ensure proper moisture. But be careful not to over or under-water plants. So for the best results, it’s recommended that you know each plant’s water requirements. But you can also check plants’ water levels by inserting your finger or a stick at least one inch deep into the soil once per week. This helps determine if plants need more or less water.
PROPER LIGHT
Ensure plants have proper light since light requirements vary. Determine whether plants need high, partial, low, indirect, or direct sunlight. Also, knowing how many hours are essential.
ROTATE
Rotate, rotate, rotate! Make sure your plants receive enough light on all sides. Rotating plants allows for more even light on all sides. This can also encourage plants to grow more evenly.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
The temperature and humidity in a room can affect plants. Check the care labels for specific recommendations regarding temperature ranges and if humid or dry conditions are preferred. To increase humidity, use a spray bottle to add moisture to your plants.
FERTILIZE
Over time, potting soils lose the nutrients required to keep plants healthy, strong, and growing. Various fertilizers are available to help replace the basic macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, also known as NPK) and other necessary vitamins and minerals. Generally, an all-purpose formula is sufficient. But there are also formulas specific to certain plants, like succulents, African violets, orchids, and tropical plants, to name a few.
Selecting the best fertilizer depends on the plant and the nutrients you are trying to replace. Fertilizers come in liquid, granule, stick, or tablet forms and immediate or slow-release formulas. All these options help nourish plants, but it is a matter of preference which type you select.
PRUNE
Pruning is key to keeping your plants growing and looking tidy. Removing dead and dying leaves and stems immediately improves the appearance of plants. Also, trimming stems or leaves that are overgrown or uneven encourages growth and provides a more balanced shape and appearance.
Similar to the pruning requirements for most outdoor plants, trimming indoor plants during late winter to early spring is best. However, some woody plants can be pruned year-round.
In addition, flowering plants should be cut after plants bloom. Otherwise, you risk removing flower buds before they blossom. Waiting until after plants have flowered also allows you to remove spent flowers.
