There is No Perfect Plant Parent
It’s no secret that houseplant popularity has skyrocketed in the last few years, and it seems like almost everyone is diving in. Houseplants allow us an opportunity to bring nature indoors, and make our home environment more appealing, which is great for those of us working from home and going out less. While social media has played a massive role in houseplant popularity, it also often sets very unrealistic ideals and expectations for newer plant parents. Hopefully our tips below will help your houseplant adventures feel more like fun than failure!
Be realistic about your time & habits
Think about your typical day. How much down time do you have, and how good are you at maintaining daily habits? If you work long hours, are overloaded, or often forget things, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bunch of plants. Instead, you may want to invest in lower maintenance varieties such as snake plants, pothos or rubber plants.
Light Needs
If you don’t have a sunroom or large windows throughout your home, there are lots of lighting options out there to keep your plants happy. Dana uses a floor lamp with flexible arms and LED Grow Light bulbs (they emit a nice bright glow) for her darker rooms. Caroline took it up a notch with LED lighting installed on the undersides of shelves. Watch your plants for sunburn or if they become leggy from lack of light and adjust accordingly.
Watering Needs
Learn to check your plants and treat them according to their behavior and individual needs in your unique environment. No plant should have a set watering schedule as everyone’s lighting, humidity, air flow, soil and pot types will vary and affect the needs of the plant. Generally, the ‘knuckle test’ is the best method: insert your finger into the soil near the base of the plant up to your first knuckle. If it feels dry and your finger comes out mostly clean then your plant probably needs watering (some succulents are an exception to this).
Many hobbyists swear by terra cotta pots for their indoor plants due to the way the material breathes and drains. While this can reduce issues such as root rot, it may not be ideal for someone who is a sporadic waterer or for water-hungry plants. We recommend avoiding any containers lacking drainage holes unless you are extra observant. Along with disease risk, fertilizer salts can build up in the soil. While watering frequency may vary, most plants prefer a thorough soaking and draining at least once a month so that any built-up fertilizer salts in the pot are flushed, and to ensure that the water is reaching all parts of the pot and plant’s roots.
Pest Awareness
When purchasing a new plant, it is always best to keep it distanced from your other plants for a couple of weeks to be sure it doesn’t have any pests. Many common houseplant pests have life stages that can be hard to spot, and even if a greenhouse has treated plants for pests, babies can turn up weeks later. You will get pests on your houseplants at some point. It's inevitable. We recommend preventative regular treatments with horticultural oil, wiping down leaves on occasion, and regularly inspecting (sticky cards are helpful too). Familiarize yourself with the most common enemies so you can identify issues early and treat them quickly. These include mealy bugs, spider mites and fungus gnats which are typically the most problematic. Be aware that even organic safe sprays can be irritating to your skin or to your pets, and that plant leaves can burn if treated and left in the sun.
Safety First & Don’t be Afraid to Let Some Go!
Please be aware of safety for your pets. Many houseplants are unfortunately toxic to pets. Do your research, and either keep toxic plants in areas your pets can’t reach, or avoid buying these species altogether.
Remember that while you may feel that your plants are your children, you sometimes have to part with a few; the labor, materials and potential risk to your other plants is often not worth it when you have a particularly pest-prone or needy plant requiring endless rehabbing. There is no shame in regularly assessing your collection and making adjustments based on your lifestyle and environment.
Most importantly, know that every seasoned houseplant parent with a beautiful collection has killed their fair share of plants. Houseplants should reduce stress, not cause it, so have fun!
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By Dana Owen, Co-owner & Caroline Wilson, Marketing Manager
Painters Greenhouse