How to take care of indoor plants

Plant parents know that houseplants require just as much attention and care as human children (maybe not exactly the same amount, but you get the idea). Plants need optimal conditions of water, light, temperature, soil, food and other factors to ensure maximum health and happiness. On the other hand, taking too much care of your plants can also be detrimental to their well-being. While some plants can be left to their own devices for weeks at a time, most indoor plants need regular care.

Let’s take a look at the basic guidelines for taking care of your indoor plants.

Water

Each plant has unique water requirements. The type of plant, the time of year and its placement in your house all play a role in how much water a houseplant needs. Indoor plants prefer to be well hydrated without being overwatered. While a bit of drought can usually be fixed to nurse a plant back to health, overwatering can lead to root rot, which is much more difficult to reverse. Plants can either be watered from the top to moisten the soil or from the bottom by placing the pot in a saucer with water. Always use pots with drainage holes to allow circulation. Certain plants need higher levels of humidity, which can be provided by misting their leaves with water.

During warmer months, plants can be watered every couple of days while allowing the top 2-3 cm of the soil to dry out in between watering sessions. During colder months, plants need less water since their growth is slowed down. Succulents need significantly less water than other plants and can go without water for weeks at a time until the top of the soil has completely dried out. No two plants are the same, which means that no two plants will be cared for in the same way! Get to know your plants and monitor their needs individually to ensure they receive the care they need rather than trying to follow a strict watering routine.

Light and temperature

Houseplants typically enjoy the indoors because it shelters them from direct sun and heat. Indoor plants still require a healthy amount of natural light, so choose a spot that will provide them with sufficient indirect sunlight throughout the day. The morning sun is a good idea for plants who need to be protected from high-temperature direct light, which can cause leaf burn and other health problems.

Certain plants like herbs and succulents, on the other hand, enjoy basking in the sun as it helps them grow to their full potential. For plants like this, a windowsill or other sunny spot around the house is ideal. Plants that are native to tropical regions are usually happy in bathrooms since the moisture helps to keep their leaves healthy. In terms of temperature, it is best to monitor your plants’ performance to make sure they don’t burn or get too cold. Most houseplants grow well in moderate temperatures that range from around 15-25°C — not too cold and not too warm.

Soil

Soil has a major effect on the overall health of a plant. If the soil is unhealthy, the plant will lack nutrients, which will stunt its growth. Once again, each plant has unique needs when it comes to soil, so, unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution here. Succulents and certain herbs prefer coarse soil that allows for proper drainage, which can be achieved by mixing in about one-third of sand. Other plants such as ferns require a higher volume of humus, while young seedlings will be better supported by a light potting mix that retains moisture.

ndoor plants need aerated soil that will allow their roots room to breathe and grow. Water needs to move freely and easily through the soil to ensure it serves the roots well. You can make your own indoor potting mix by combining a soilless mixture with fertiliser and rich garden soil or compost. This will leave you with a nutritional mixture that will retain moisture for longer without leading to mould or rot.

Plants also need to be repotted once every 12-18 months depending on their growth. If a plant’s roots start growing over the soil or through the drainage holes at the bottom, the soil dries out quicker than usual, or its growth becomes stunted, it may be time to repot it in fresh new soil. Spring is usually the best time to repot indoor plants just before the summer growing season. If a plant is happy in its current pot, you can still give it an upgrade by changing out the soil.

Food and fertiliser

Not all indoor plants require fertiliser. However, if you want to give your plants a boost, you can keep things simple by opting for natural organic material such as coffee grounds, green tea and eggshells, which can also provide additional benefits such as keeping snails away from your plants. Countless options for commercial natural houseplant fertilisers are available if you are unsure how to go about this process. Don’t over fertilise your plants and remember to keep this booster reserved for warmer months. Plants like to take things slowly during the winter, so don’t expect too much from them during colder times of the year. Spring and summer are therefore the best times to fertilise houseplants to provide them with extra energy for the growing season.

Maintenance

Lastly, it is important to keep your houseplants clean and well-maintained. Check your plants for dust on their leaves and wipe them down gently with a damp cloth. Any dead leaves and sickly growth should also be trimmed carefully. Overgrown houseplants can be trimmed, although you need to be careful not to harm any areas of growth, which can lead to further damage. As with most maintenance measures, the start of the growing season is the best time to trim houseplants. Don’t fuss too much if your plants appear to be struggling during winter — they are just having a well-deserved rest in preparation for the warmer months ahead!

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden.

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants! Spring Colours is your Nursery in Dural! Discover our Dural Garden Centre today!