Tips for Houseplants
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Houseplants are rising in popularity again. However, for many, the average plant lasts about a year before meeting its demise. Through personal and professional experiences, I learned a few tips to help your plant beat the odds.
Reduce the watering
More houseplants die from overwatering than underwatering. It’s the old “kill them with kindness” mentality. Plants are better adapted to deal with drought stress than saturated soils.
Give the soil a chance to dry between watering, allowing needed oxygen for root growth to return. There is no set schedule for watering. The rate the soil dries changes seasonally with the home’s humidity and temperature. The angle of sun changes, which also influences water intake. Root mass, pot size and soil type affect water needs.
Remove the excess
Most house plants sit in a saucer or decorative sleeve to protect the furniture from a water stain. Apply enough water so it runs out the bottom of the pot. Salts from fertilizers leach with the water, reducing tip foliage browning.
I have learned many people do not remove the excess water that collects in the saucer. Water wicks back into the soil mass, rotting the roots. The best way to water is to apply enough, allowing the plant to sit in the water for up to an hour to fully hydrate the soil, then remove any excess. However, we get busy and forget this step.
Feed, but don’t overdo it
The addition of nutrients is helpful, but there seem to be two extremes – those who overdo it and those that rarely do it, if it all. No matter the brand, over the counter fertilizers work great when following the directions. The best recommendation is to fertilize March through September when plants want to grow at higher light times. Stop fertilizing during the fall and winter when the plants are resting due to lower light levels. Unlike us, plants don’t overeat and excess nutrients in the soil cause the problems.
More Light Never Hurts
From my experience, you can never give a houseplant too much light. The brighter the light, the better the growth, especially a flowering plant. Some plants will tolerate lower levels of light, but they grow more robust with more light.
Sunlight drives the growth process of photosynthesis. Reduced photosynthesis will reduce growth. A common sign of low light on plants is when a new leaf develops, then a lower, older leaf yellows. That’s because the plant sends energy to new growth. It’s efficient at manufacturing food.
Dust the leaves
Just as dust covers the furniture, it also lands on the leaves of our plants. The dust layer blocks, light reducing growth. Smaller plants can be placed in the shower for a quick rinse. Larger plants may require hand wiping with a soft, damp cloth. Plain room temperature water is best. Skip leaf waxes, polishes or home remedies, like milk, as it leaves a residue and thus decreases light.
I hope these tips give you the information needed to beat the odds and enjoy your plants for many years.