Top 10 Tips For Thriving Houseplants

Houseplants have become very popular recently, with more and more people becoming Plant Moms! Here are some simple tips and tricks to make sure your houseplants are thriving and healthy. With these tips, your houseplants will be easier to take care of, and you can be confident that your plant babies are getting everything they need, whether you keep them in pots on the living room floor or in vertical planters in the conservatory.

1. Turn your plants around every week so that they grow evenly instead of becoming lopsided.
   
   
2. Don’t fertilize your plants in the winter. Only fertilize in the spring and summer. Look for a plant food designed for houseplants when it is time for fertilizer.
   
   
3. Use pots with holes in them. Pots like this are very helpful and will be needed if you’re new to plants.
   
   
4. Try taking your houseplants outside for the summer and let them grow in the shade. Lots of plants will flourish this way. You could also keep them by open windows in your conservatory for a similar effect.
   
   
5. If you are guilty of over-watering, buy a moisture meter. This will help you to learn how much water your plant actually needs.
   
   
6. Saucers are handy for catching excess water, but if the water is left to sit in there, it can make the plant’s roots soggy. Instead, if you can, take your plant to the sink. Water as normal, but then let then the water drain for a bit before you put the plant back in the saucer. No soggy roots!
   
   
7. Use a systematic insecticide. This is sprinkled on the surface of the soil and is absorbed into the plant, helping to keep bugs away. It is very effective and will save you from having to use insecticide sprays inside your home.
   
   
8. Tidy up a dry-looking plant by cutting off any browned bits. Follow the natural shape of the leaf. If the leaf comes to a point, don’t cut it back straight across. This won’t look natural and will defeat the tidying up you’re trying to do.
   
   
9. You can dust the leaves in a couple of ways. You could use a wet cloth to wipe each leaf, but this can be an annoying task if you have a lot of plants. Instead, you could take them to the shower during the winter and let the overhead water get all the leaves wet and clean off the dust. Leave the plants to dry before you take them back to where they usually live. If you take plants outside in the summer, you can do the same thing with a hose.
   
   
10. Know when to let go. A lot of people will keep trying to save a houseplant that is just too far gone. If you think it’s time to give up, remember you can pinch the ends or tips (called propagating) to make a new plant. For example, a spider plant will put out new starts from a hanging stem. Each baby can be grown into a new plant, so you don’t have to lose the whole plant.