Tips and tricks on keeping houseplants alive
We all love houseplants. They are the perfect addition to a lonely windowsill, the best friend when you need someone to talk to, and a thoughtful gift for friends or family. But too many people have been found guilty of plant murder. Believe it or not, most plants are actually pretty low-maintenance.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you with your little green friends:
RESEARCH
Yes, you must add more to your to-do list, but the best place to start when attempting to keep a houseplant alive is knowing what it is and what it likes. No different than if you were to get a cat or dog, you must do your research to know how to best take care of your plant and help it thrive.
LIGHT
After doing your research, finding the perfect balance of light is another key step in keeping your houseplant alive. All plants need light to survive, but knowing your plant will help you discover proper light requirements. Of course, all plants would love a well-lit room, but this isn’t always possible. It stems back to doing your research and finding plants that would best suit certain rooms.
[media-credit name=”Jordan Terpstra” align=”alignnone” width=”1020″]
WATER
It’s one of the most basic things plants need, but also their number one killer. When it comes to watering, people tend to land on one of two extremes: watering their plants too much or not watering them enough. Although some plants can withstand longer periods of time without water, almost all plants will die from overwatering.
Plant roots are crucial for the uptake of water, nutrients, and oxygen. If plants are being overwatered, their roots can’t breathe. This will likely result in disease like root rot, which causes your plants to wilt and die. For most plants, you should let the soil dry out between watering. To ensure the soil is dry enough and ready for another watering, just stick your finger in about an inch down to see if it’s completely dry. If so, it’s good to go.
Drainage is also an important factor when it comes to avoiding drowning your plant. Make sure your plant is in a pot with some holes and that you allow the water to drain properly.
Stay tuned to learn about the “Top five easiest houseplants to care for” in an upcoming issue of The Ontarion.
Photo by Jordan Terpstra