When a houseplant dies, we can be filled with an enormous amount of questions;
How did it happen?
Was it too much water? Not enough light?
Will all my plants die?!
Plant Parenthood is hard.
When it comes to keeping plants alive, we believe that the best defence is a good offence.
By adopting the following basic practices you will be on a path to keeping your plants happy and healthy and becoming the best plant parent you can be!
What's Your Plant Compatibility?
To choose a plant that is right for you, two aspects need to be considered
- How will it fit into your lifestyle?
- Where will you be placing the new plant in your home?
Just like a pet, a houseplant requires love, attention and a level of care however, there are some plants that can handle a certain level of neglect better than others.
When you have decided where you are going to place your new house plant, consider the light and heat conditions. For example, if it's in a south-facing patio window, the plant will receive loads of light or if it’s on a west-facing bathroom window, less light will be received but more humidity. With this in mind, do a little research and choose a plant that suits this environment best.
Top Tip: If you know where the plant comes from in its natural environment and find the position in your home that mimics their natural conditions... you’re on a winner! This reduces the maintenance and worries on whether you are providing the right care.
- For spaces with lots of light, consider a Ficus
- An Air plant is an excellent choice for a bright bathroom window
- Spider Plants or Devil’s Ivy thrive well on shelves or bookcase as they require less light and can withstand irregular watering.
In Ireland, It's All About That Bright Natural Light
All plants require light, water and food but the trick to success is everything in moderation.
Let’s be honest, our plants have come here from more tropical, exotic places and just like us, they enjoy bright sunny days. The goal is to imitate the native environment of our houseplant as closely as possible without going overboard. You may have to leave the blinds open when leaving the house or give your plant a small rotation regularly to ensure even growth.
Almost all houseplants need a minimum temperature of 15ºC to survive. In the winter, keep plants away from areas of cold drafts and close outer doors quickly.
Top Tip: Use a damp cloth to brush away any build-up of dust on the leaves of your plant as this can impact its’ health.
Less (Water) Is More!
Most of the time, people are concerned they aren’t watering enough, when in fact they are watering far too much! Unfortunately for enthusiastic houseplant lovers, this can be a serious problem.
Too much water can lead to rot. Fungus starts to spread through the plant and can start to look a little sad!
If you are unsure, take a look at what your plant is doing. Wilting leaves or soil that looks pulled away from the sides of its planter are signs of a thirsty plant. Check the compost 50cm from the top, if there is any sign of moisture or dampness, it has enough water. You can also check by trying to lift the plant and container- if it’s light in weight this will let you know it needs some water.
A watering schedule of once a fortnight is suitable for most common houseplants however this can change throughout the year. In the winter, plants are growing slower and need less water. Be mindful that if your heat is on regularly, the soil can tend to dry quicker and may need a little more water.
Top Tip: Most of our homes are centrally heated and this dries out the air. Consider purchasing a simple spray bottle which can be used to give a quick burst of hydration around the leaves, they’ll love it!
Light It Up...Artificially!
Plants need light in order to carry out the miraculous biological process of photosynthesis, where they split the water molecule and turn the hydrogen into sugars to feed their growth and give off oxygen.
Some plants need more light than others. When in doubt, think again about the native habitat of the plants.
If plants don’t get the light they need, they won’t necessarily die but they will stop producing new growth. Artificial light indoors is a great substitute for natural light. Shine a spotlight or a table lamp towards the plants and they will really appreciate it and start to grow towards the light.
Top Tip: For plants that are located near regular sunlight sources such as a window, make sure to rotate this plant regularly to ensure even distribution.
So, now that you are armed with our guide, it’s time to choose your new plant!
At PlantStore.ie, we offer full care advice on all plants sold on our online store, via our pop-up shops and within our plant installation service.
Still filled with questions? We are here to help!
Please give us a shout at pat.plantstore@gmail.com
If you enjoyed this post, why not check out similar blogs:
- C’mon, Get A Happy and Healthy Home!
- Plants To Get You Out of The Bed In The Morning!
- 5 Plants For Your Bedroom To Help Sleep Better
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