Keeping indoor plants is a great way to add character to your home and improve your mood. We all need to stay connected to nature whenever possible, keeping a few potted plants around is a great start. However, many of us don’t have a clue about keeping a plant alive. Here’s how to keep your indoor plants from dying no matter how black your thumbs are.
Research Is the First Step
Don’t assume that all plants need the same treatment. Although all plants need some combination of light, heat, water, and soil – the key is in balancing those elements carefully to the preferences of the plant. So, if you’ve got African violets – research how often do you water African violets and what other special requirements the plant has. The idea is that you should know the specifics that pertain to your plant, and not general rules of thumb for all plants.
Set A Schedule (And A Timer)
More often than not, indoor plants die because their owners simply forget to water them. They may even die because of a variety of other things you forgot to do, like pruning or spraying against pests. So, if you know yourself to be the forgetful kind there’s no shame in scheduling your responsibilities towards the plant on your phone or anywhere else you are likely to see. The point is, you should care for them regularly – they aren’t in their natural environment so they can’t thrive on their own.
Don’t Bite More than You Can Chew
Many people buy indoor plants based on their appearance and neglect to ask about the level of care needed for the plant. When you’re out shopping for indoor plants, ask the store how much of your time you will need to invest in keeping it alive. Try opting for plants that are native in your area so that they can thrive regardless of input from you. For example, in some areas of the country rosemary grows naturally, and so you generally won’t have any trouble growing it at home wherever you want – unless you are purposefully trying to kill the plant!
Containers Are Important
If you were growing a plant in an actual garden, the depth and quality of the soil can be a deciding factor in whether your plants withers or thrives. When moving a plant indoors, everything is limited to the pots or containers that you are growing your plant in. After all, there’s a reason you don’t find fully grown lemon trees in pots indoors. So, make sure that you’re choosing the right size pot, and pay close attention to the drainage that the pots have to offer. When buying a plant, if it comes with it’s own pot, try to keep using the same type of pot, even if you want to change it for aesthetic purposes.
Keeping indoor plants alive shouldn’t be so stressful. All it takes is a little bit of patience, and attention to the particular details of your plants’ needs.
