Caring for house plants has become a popular hobby among the young and old since we’ve all started spending more time at home. According to recent data, the average British person spends £300 on house plants per year, with Generation Z becoming the most enthusiastic plant parents in the UK. The poll also revealed that most 18-24 year-olds in the country have around 10 different plants in their home. Having a variety of house plants around can certainly be beneficial to one’s overall wellbeing, that’s why it’s absolutely crucial to ensure that these plants are properly taken care of. Here’s a guide to keep your indoor plants healthy and thriving.
Watch Out for Bugs
Most people think that there’s no way that their indoor plants can get infested by bugs, and that they’re perfectly safe from nasty pests that are commonly found in the garden. However, since house plants are exposed to conditions such as constant temperature changes and having very little sunlight, they become vulnerable to plant pests such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs, among others.
If you spot these pests on your plants, it’s imperative to get rid of them immediately. You may ask experts for advice on how to kill house bug plants, but you can also deal with the matter immediately by using natural pest killers that won’t harm your plants. Try spraying neem oil extract or a mixture of clove, garlic, and cottonseed oil directly onto the pests. You can also rinse the leaves or spray them with water to shake off the bugs.
Know When to Water Your Plants
One of the most common mistakes that people make when caring for houseplants is giving them too much or too little water. It’s important to remember that indoor plants have varying watering requirements. For instance, a Monstera plant or fiddle leaf fig should be watered once every one to two weeks, while cactus plants and other succulents, such as aloe vera, need less water than their leafy counterparts. A good rule of thumb to follow is to test the soil for moisture every few days or so by feeling the top half inch of it with your hand. If it feels dry, then give your plants some water, pouring slowly until it runs out of the drainage.
Plants that don’t need frequent watering are perfect for those who often forget to do so. Meanwhile, if you’re the type to overwater your plant babies, consider taking care of plants that thrive in high humidity, such as cyperus, baby’s tears, and selaginella. These are sure to stay alive even if you get a little too enthusiastic about watering. All you need to do is to mist them daily and keep the soil damp at all times.
Repot as Needed
After a few months, you’ll find that some of your plants will outgrow their original pots and will need to be repotted. If the roots are starting to curl around the inside of the pot, that’s a clear sign that your plant needs a bigger home. Transfer your plant to a larger container, and make sure to cover the roots well with some fresh potting soil. You can also have new baby plants by separating plants with multiple stems, such as peace lilies, spider plants, and calathea, and repotting them in smaller containers.
Indoor plants can improve air quality, and caring for them can reduce stress and improve your mental wellbeing. Consider these tips to ensure that your house plants thrive so you can enjoy them for many years.
