Five things you need to be doing for healthy houseplants!
It’s warming up and as plant season starts full force it’s easy to get lost in a heap of houseplants you aren’t well prepared to take care of! That’s why for today’s blog I thought we’d get back to some often overlooked basics that can really help you maintain optimal plant health and what to do when you bring a new plant home.
Number 1: Check The Soil
The number one thing to check when you buy a new plant is the soil. Soil is essentially the home of your plant, and you want to keep that home happy. You’ll want to check your soil’s moisture level, it’s overall quality, and how bound the roots are. Feel the soil with the first two knuckles of your finger or use a moisture meter to determine how saturated the soil is. If your finger comes out of the soil dry with little to no dirt sticking to it then it is ready for a drink. If your soil feels extremely saturated it may need to be repotted due to overwatering (which is unlikely but not overall uncommon especially when shopping from big box stores). If your plant's water levels seem okay, it's best to let it adjust for the first few days before evaluating the roots. If the roots are coming out of the bottom of the pot or winding up the sides it’s likely ready to go up a couple inches in pot size (only size up around 2” to 4” larger and try to keep some original soil if it’s in good condition to avoid shocking your plants root system). Another thing to consider is the type of soil your plant is in. If it offers no nutrients or lacks drainage you may want to consider repotting into your soil medium of choice. If you need help picking soil our article Dishing The Dirt: Everything You Need To Know About Soil, can help.
Number 2: Establish Plant Food & Water Routines
Once your plant is settled you’ll want to establish a watering and fertilizing routine for overall health and growth. I prefer an all use indoor liquid plant food as it's easy to measure, mix in with water and feed all of your plants without too much effort. Your watering schedule should vary depending on the season, as your plants likely receive different amounts of light while other factors such as the use of heat/ac can affect how quickly your pot dries up. Always make sure to follow the instructions for your specific fertilizer/plant food as the measurements are usually similar but vary from product to product. Fertilize as soon as your plant starts showing signs of growth, and stop fertilizing in the fall or when you notice your plant going dormant. Create a watering schedule by tracking how often (and how much) your plant needs to be watered over the course of two weeks, use that as your rule of thumb and adjust as necessary. Reevaluate your watering schedule when seasons change, if you move your plant to a different area, or if you find yourself blasting that ac a considerable amount more.
Number 3: Optimize Pot Placement & Rotation
While fertilizer helps your plants grow, ultimately sunlight is the main factor behind its success. That is why placement and pot rotation are an important part of plant growth and aesthetics. Even lowlight plants prefer bright indirect light as opposed to shade and will grow better given adequate sun exposure. A quick search can inform you of your plant’s sun preferences. I place my plants by figuring out which ones need the most sunlight to stay healthy and place those first in areas with the most exposure. I go down the list of most needy for sunlight to the least and when I'm done my plants are all in optimized locations. After a few weeks you may notice that whichever side of your plant primarily faces the sun will grow faster. When this happens it’s good to rotate your plant so that the other areas can catch up in growth for a more symmetrical and stable plant.
Number 4: Prevent Pests & Other Problems
An important aspect of plant health that no one likes to think about but you should be checking for often, is pests and other plant ailments. There are many types of pests and just how damaging they can be to your plants will vary depending on pest type and the level of infestation. Plants can also be prone to root rot if overwatered, fungal diseases and more. When you are assessing plant health always check the leaves for signs of discoloration, browning, or bite marks. It’s especially important to check the undersides of leaves and the stems as well since many pests feed off of those areas. If you think your plant has pests or any other issue try to identify which one specifically so that you can treat it more efficiently. In general though, if your plant has pests you’ll want to:
1. Separate it from the healthy plants.
2. Check the health of the surrounding plants.
3. Thoroughly clean your plant using warm soapy water with neem oil. Keep the plant separated and repeat step 3 every few days until all signs of the infestation are gone for at least one week.
Number 5: Keep It Clean & Green
Cleaning your plant every so often is a good idea even if it doesn’t have a pest problem. Keeping your plant clean looks nicer, and those shinier leaves absorb more sunlight leading to more growth (just be careful to avoid sunburnt leaves if you use too much oil). To clean your plant you’ll want to prepare a mixture of warm water with a few drops of dish soap and neem oil (optional, but it’s anti fungal and deters bugs). If you’d like to you can do this in a shower/sink that allows you to spray the leaves down thoroughly or you can use a soft cloth, I prefer these microfiber towels as they’re gentle yet absorbent. Take your cloth and start cleaning from the base of the stem all the way up, making sure to wipe both sides of the leaves applying a light pressure. I also recommend spraying the soil with neem oil as an added measure of protection. Cleaning your plants regularly (I try to do this once monthly) prevents fungal disease and pests, as well as giving you a chance to catch any issues early if they arise.
As long as you’re following these recommendations you should be able to keep your plants healthy with little to no fuss so that you can spend more time simply enjoying them. Happy planting friends!
