Bamboo on the bookshelf, chrysanthemums in the corner and a ficus in the foyer—many of us are putting plants everywhere in our homes lately. Not only are plants great decorative items in our home, but they’re also great for our health. Here are my tips for keeping your houseplants looking great.
Houseplants bring with them a lot of benefits. They look good, they smell great abd they improve air quality. Studies show that houseplants can ease anxiety and stress, improve rest, and promote good healing. Some are natural pest repellents as well. So, you can return all these favors by taking good care of your plants.
Your room placement is one of the first choices you make for your plants, and it can impact your plant’s lifespan. In the living room, potted indoor trees or shrubs make an interesting centerpiece. Consider smaller plants such as lavender or heartleaf philodendron for your bedroom to encourage a fresh and clean space. The bathroom is good for plants such as spider plants and gardenia that thrive in the near-tropical humidity and indirect light of most bathrooms.
Many plant parents make the mistake of overwatering. You should only water your plants when the soil feels dry to the touch. If you water too often, you could risk causing root rot on your plants. To help avoid root rot, use a pot with good drainage holes that’s appropriate for the type of plant that you have.
A good test for whether you’re overwatering is to stick your finger about three inches into the dirt. If you feel dry soil, it’s time to water. Some plants are particularly susceptible to changes in humidity and water levels, so consider getting a soil hygrometer to monitor your finicky plants.
Consider using drip irrigation, water globes, or self-watering planters if you’re bad at staying on top of watering plants. (No guilt or shame here.)
Take care with your plant placement. You want your plants to get enough sunlight, but not too much, and during winter, you should protect them from cold air. Keep plants away from heat sources such as stoves, fireplaces, or radiators.
Watch your humidity levels, especially in winter when the home is being heated. Most houseplants prefer humidity levels between 40 percent and 50 percent. But in the winter, a lot of homes only have 10-20 percent humidity. You can group your plants together in the winter to increase humidity. You can also use either room humidifiers or a whole-house humidifier to regulate humidity.
To help your plants thrive, you can fertilize them during the growing seasons of spring and summer.
No matter what kind of plant you have, they’ll have their own set of best practices to keep them healthy. The single best thing you can do to support your plants is to do some research. Learn about them so you know exactly the type of environment they’ll thrive in.
