Whether you want to add a touch of nature to your bedroom, boost your concentration, or show a friend you care, houseplants are a great option. And there’s a plant for everyone, from graceful orchids with pink flowers to trailing pothos to tiny cacti with even tinier spines.
But choosing a houseplant is just the first part of becoming a plant parent! Once you bring your new green pal home, you must continue caring for the plant. That means placing it in the proper environment, giving it just the right amount of water, and letting the light shine. Sound overwhelming? Not to worry. We’ve put together a list of ten houseplant care tips that will help you develop your green thumb.
How to Care For Houseplants
Before we dive into our houseplant care guide, let’s get one thing clear. Not all houseplants are the same! Some houseplants prefer direct lights and well-draining soil, while other plants thrive in indirect light and moist soil.
That means the first step in properly caring for your houseplant is knowing which plant you’re caring for. After you’ve properly identified your plant, check out how to properly care for that specific plant. For example, if you’re growing a succulent on your windowsill, read our succulent care guide. And if you’re bringing in luck with a Chinese money plant, learn what type of water and light it likes.
With all this said, you should consider the following factors, no matter what type of houseplant you’re caring for.
1. Start with Healthy Plants
While you may be tempted to grab a houseplant from the clearance section of your local hardware store, caring for diseased or dying plants is a headache. Why spend months nursing a plant back to health when you can start with a healthy plant?
Whether you want to send plants online or pick up a new plant at a nursery, check for discolored leaves, plant pests, and signs of disease. And if you want to avoid the work of searching for a healthy plant, order from a reputable source like The Bouqs Co.
2. Select the Right Container
When you bring your houseplant home, you’re probably thinking about what container color and design will compliment your plant. But if you want to provide the best houseplant care, you should also consider container size.
Choose a container that’s just a little bit larger than your plant’s root ball. A container that is too large will lead to constantly wet soil, and a small container can cause rootbound plants.
Regardless of the container’s material and size, make sure the bottom of the container has drainage holes.
3. Choose the Proper Potting Soil
While outdoor plants grow in native soil, houseplants prefer a soilless potting mix. A soilless soil? Yep, you heard that right.
Potting mixes are made up of materials including peat moss, coco coir, perlite, vermiculite, sand, and pine bark. Each of these materials serves a specific function, so you can vary the type and amount of materials to create a variety of soil mixes.
When you’re designing or buying a soil mix, consider drainage, aeration, and water-holding properties. Materials like peat moss and coco coir will hold moisture, allowing plants to access moisture in between watering events. That’s why you don’t have to water thirsty plants every day. On the other hand, materials like sand and pine bark improve both aeration and drainage.
Consider your plant’s water needs and native habitat when choosing potting soil. For example, desert-dwelling plants like cacti, drought-tolerant succulents, and tree-dwelling orchids prefer a well-draining and chunky soil mix. However, tropical plants like prayer plants and pothos prefer a mix that holds a bit more moisture.
4. Keep Temperatures Stable
While ideal temperatures vary from plant to plant, most houseplants are happy between 65°–80°F. Along with providing a warm temperature, you should also avoid swings in temperature.
Keep plants away from cold drafts like air conditioning vents and exterior doors as well as hot areas like furnaces and fireplaces.
5. Check Humidity Levels
New plant parents often overlook the importance of proper humidity. While many houseplants will grow just fine at average household humidity levels, some plants prefer dry conditions, and others love high humidity.
If you’re unsure what type of humidity your plant likes, research its native environment. Plants native to deserts and meadows can tolerate low humidity, but tropical plants thrive in high humidity.
You can boost the humidity in numerous ways, but a humidifier is the most efficient method. Regularly spritzing your plant with water can temporarily boost humidity, as can adding a dish filled with pebbles and water underneath your plant.
6. Water Well…But Not Too Much
Yes, all houseplants need water. But providing too much water can be just as dangerous as watering too little!
Water needs vary from plant to plant, but keeping the soil moist but not wet is a good starting place. If you’re not sure when to water, stick your finger into the top couple of inches of the potting mix. You should water most houseplants when the top one to two inches of soil is dry.
Most plants are happy with tap water, but some finicky ones prefer distilled water or rainwater. No matter what type of water you use, make sure to water until all of the soil is moist. And avoid splashing water on the plant’s foliage since this can lead to fungal diseases.
7. Provide the Right Type and Amount of Light
While outdoor plants like roses and tomatoes thrive in bright, direct light, many houseplants are sensitive to harsh light. Rather than placing your houseplant in an area that receives direct sun exposure, set it in an area with bright yet indirect light. A foot away from a south-facing window or near a west-facing window is a good choice. You can also use grow lights if your plant is growing in a dim room.
Of course, this is general advice. Some houseplants thrive in direct light (we’re looking at you, cacti), and others can tolerate partial shade. If you see your plant’s leaves develop white or brown patches that look like sunburn, move them somewhere that receives less direct light. And if the plants seem to be experiencing stagnant growth or faded colors, you may need to provide them with more light.
8. Apply Low Dose Fertilizer
Most of the best indoor houseplants will be happy to receive fertilizer about once a month in the spring through fall. However, applying too much fertilizer can be more harmful than applying none at all! Look for fertilizers with low amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus—a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 1-1-1 works great.
9. Keep an Eye Out for Pests
Although there are a wide variety of houseplants, most of them are susceptible to the same pests. Check your plants at least once a week for tiny, sap-sucking pests like aphids, spider mites, and thrips. These critters may be small, but they can quickly multiply and take over your plants.
All of these pests have piercing and sucking mouthparts which they use to drink plant sap. While a few pests won’t cause much harm, larger numbers can lead to discolored or dead leaves.
If you notice a few pests, wipe them off your plant with a soapy rag. You can easily control larger infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
10. Repot When Necessary
If you follow the tips listed above, your plant will put on new growth. And that means there’s a good chance it will outgrow its current container! When you notice the plant’s roots peeking out the plant’s drainage holes, it’s time to repot your plant into a bigger container.
Choose a container that is just a few inches larger than the original and use fresh potting mix.
Fill Your Life with Plants
Now that you know some insider tips related to houseplant care, go ahead and take the time to add a new plant (or two) to your life. The Bouqs Co. makes it easy to send plants online, and we carry plants for everyone and every place.
Need a low-light plant for your new home office? We’ve got it. Looking for a tropical plant for your friend’s birthday? Yep, we have that too. Spend a few minutes browsing our plants, and you’ll find one perfect for you.
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