Houseplants have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. There are many varieties of exotic plants that thrive in our temperature-controlled homes. We love having our own leafy green oasis inside every day of the year, and any collector’s eye can’t help but adore our selection of plants from desert-dwelling succulents to lush, tropical bromeliads – all under one roof.
Whether you’re a houseplant pro, with an impressive collection, or you’re looking to try your first, we have a couple key guidelines to help you keep your plants healthy, happy, and looking their best.
From Beginner to Expert
Following the above tips will help anyone succeed with their houseplants. If you’re looking to take a plant home with you, we have some favorites to recommend:
Houseplant Care Basics
The essential rule is to replicate the habitat the plant is naturally adapted to, and you’ll have healthy plants without any hassle. Your houseplants may hail from all different corners of the globe, with drastically different climates. What works for one, might not fit another plant’s needs. Picturing the climate your plant is from will give you the best idea of their needs and how to meet them.
Water and Drainage
All your houseplants are going to have watering needs. The amount of water they need and the soil they are planted in go hand in hand! Some plants prefer soils that retain some water, while others will want quick-draining soils to prevent waterlogged roots. Whenever you do water your houseplants, do so thoroughly until the water flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom. This will help to wash away any accumulated salts that your plant’s roots are sensitive to. For best results, your houseplant may prefer distilled water, which is free from chlorine and fluoride found in most tap water.
While all plants need some light, their sensitivity to light can vary quite a bit between species. Plants from arid areas, with lots of exposure, will need as much sunlight as you can get them. Other tropical species, accustomed to steamy jungles, may need less direct sunlight. Keep in mind, even your houseplants can get sunburns. Placing your plant directly next to glass windows magnifies the UV rays of the sun and can leave them burnt.
Fertilizer
Many of your houseplants will grow happily without any fertilizer. If you do fertilize, most plants will prefer a half-dose to avoid burning their sensitive roots.
Transplanting
Your healthy plant will eventually outgrow its home and need an upgrade to a larger container. This is the perfect opportunity to ensure you are providing your plant with the right soil to suit their needs. It might be tempting to move up multiple container sizes at once. Try to resist this temptation, as too much unused space in your container could retain water and lead to root rot. By stepping your houseplants up one size at a time, you’ll make sure they have the space to grow without risking overwhelming your container with unused soil.
From Beginner to Expert
Following the above tips will help anyone succeed with their houseplants. If you’re looking to take a plant home with you, we have some favorites to recommend:
The essential rule is to replicate the habitat the plant is naturally adapted to, and you’ll have healthy plants without any hassle. Your houseplants may hail from all different corners of the globe, with drastically different climates. What works for one, might not fit another plant’s needs. Picturing the climate your plant is from will give you the best idea of their needs and how to meet them.
Following the above tips will help anyone succeed with their houseplants. If you’re looking to take a plant home with you, we have some favorites to recommend:
Beginner Houseplants
This might be your first houseplant, or maybe you enjoy keeping things simple. These are some of our favorite fool-proof plants that make houseplanting easy:
Boston Fern
These elegant plants rose in popularity in the Victorian era and have been a classic ever since. The delicate, branching leaves of the boston fern make it ideal for display where they can hang freely. This is arguably the easiest fern to grow, requiring regular watering and moderate light, it excels with high humidity.
ZZ Plant
This is one tough plant that needs infrequent watering and very little light. It is the perfect option for that corner of your home you never thought something green could survive in. It has beautiful, robust, green leaves and thrives on a little neglect.
Sansevieria
Also known as the snake plant, or mother-in-law’s-tongue, the many names for this succulent reveals how popular it is. They’ll thrive inside or on your balcony in the summer, and have a modern and bold look. There are many different varieties, so this long-lived plant is a smart investment for your home decor.
Spider Plant
The Spider Plant has a cool aesthetic that looks otherworldly. This plant needs infrequent watering and will still thrive even if you forget about it every once in a while! It sprouts little “pups” so you could have a miniature jungle of spider plants at home in no time.
Source: WestonNurseries.com
