Indoor Garden: How to Grow House Plants

Indoor plants have grown in popularity since the pandemic started. Some of us have turned into plant parents as our way to ease our boredom while on lockdown. Indoor plants are a great addition to house interior – adding color and warmth to our homes.

Aside from brightening our homes, studies show that house plants help boost our mood, reduce stress levels, improve our productivity, and provide good air quality. Most house plants are easy to grow. On average, they typically live for 2-5 years.

Learn how to properly care for your house plants by following these guidelines.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOIL

Not all soil is created equal. You cannot just use outdoor soil for your house plants. More often, outdoor soil contains soil-borne disease that is not ideal for house plants. A mixture of vermiculite, peat moss, and perlite is the right soil for indoor plants. This potting mixture absorbs moisture very well and works well with house plants.

WATER ACCORDINGLY

Improper watering is one of the main reasons why some house plants do not thrive. Different house plants have different watering requirements. Water your plants when necessary. You will know when your plants need watering if it is dry to touch. Make use of room temperature water when watering the plants so they can easily absorb it.

KEEP A STABLE ENVIRONMENT

Try not to move the houseplants around. Not all plants can easily adapt to sudden changes in the environment such as climate change.

KEEP THEM CLEAN

Keep your plants healthy by cleaning them occasionally. Just like your furniture, plants accumulate dust and dirt and this can block the sunlight. There are several ways to clean your plants. Depending on the type of plants you have, you can use a damp cotton cloth to wipe away dust, gently wash them with lukewarm water in the shower, allow rain to wash away dirt, or make use of a mister.

PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUNLIGHT

Different plants require different sunlight requirements. Some may require direct exposure to sunlight, while others may thrive even with a minimal amount of light. It is best to familiarize yourself with the light requirements needed by your house plants.

GET RID OF BUGS

Bugs and other plant pests are a major problem. They can affect the growth, appearance, and overall health of the house plants. The most common plant pests include aphid, whitefly, spider mite, scale insects, and mealybugs. Using preventative sprays with insecticidal soap can help eradicate pests and keep your plants healthy. It is necessary to spray your houseplants at least two to three times to eliminate eggs and prevent infestation.

USE FERTILIZERS PERIODICALLY

House plants lose some of their nutrients when watered. That is why they need a good source of nutrient replenishment to support healthy growth. Always check the label before feeding your plants fertilizer. Like overwatering, over-fertilizing is detrimental to the plants’ growth.