Green plants bring your whole home to life. It’s evident that the greenery freshens up the air, provides tranquility, beauty and serenity. However, it is not always easy to preserve and watch your houseplants prosper, and maintaining them in good health is tricky.
Here are our tips for taking perfect care of your houseplants.
1.Cleaning is crucial
Indoor plants are always exposed to dirt and they collect dust on their leaves. Regular cleaning is therefore required to restore vigor and a beautiful appearance. In addition to the aesthetic aspect of this task, it’s also necessary for your plants’ physiological functions.
The leaves of the plants are provided with stomata which ensure a biochemical process related to the complex gas exchanges, which are possible only when the stomata are not blocked.
The cleaning methods differ according the various species and varieties of plants. Some have large shiny leaves; others are covered with duvet, or prickles in the case of succulents.
Various processes will therefore be applied depending on the nature of the plant.
●Plants with smooth foliage
Plants with smooth, broad foliage are the easiest to clean. You just need to bring a clean sponge and a basin of non-calcareous water. Simply run the sponge over the entire surface of the leaf without All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants forgetting its reverse side, and then rinse the sponge as many times as necessary.
For plants with small leaves, it’s more practical to clean them in the shower, always with water at room temperature.
●Plants with downy or prickly foliage
This kind of plants must be cleaned using a soft bristle brush in small, delicate movements as the water would tend to damage their foliage. Try to avoid shining products that are becoming available in markets, since they can be very harmful to your plat by blocking the gas exchanges.
When cleaning you can also carefully examine and detect the possible presence of parasites
. You can also prune your plants by regularly trimming withered leaves, dead branches and withered flowers.
2.How to water your houseplants?
Whether it is a flowering or a green plant, each has different water needs. Some don’t bear excess humidity, while others will need plenty of watering. The water needs of a plant vary according to its genus, its species, its size; its environment (volume of the container, light, humidity and ambient temperature) and the current season (take into account the periods of dormancy). All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants Firstly, to find out if the plant needs water, simply place your finger about 3 cm deep in the substrate.
It should be slightly damp to the touch. If the surface starts to dry out, it’s time to water. As to the time of watering, it’s preferably done in the morning. Make sure to use water at room temperature. To do this, just fill a few bottles about two days before watering - which will also allow it to partially purify if it’s calcareous. Watering frequency depends also on the seasons. In winter (resting period for many plants), watering is done about once every 15 days.
From March to September, resume a weekly watering rhythm. Keep in mind to increase watering frequency during growth period (spring-summer-autumn), but also if your plant has buds, is flowering or has very fine foliage. Reduce watering when the plant is in a period of vegetative rest (winter), has thick, waxy leaves and fleshy roots.
2 What about watering techniques?
There are many watering techniques specific to some types of plants. Keep in mind that each type of plant is specific in its own way as we previously mentioned, so make sure you to fully document before you chose a routine care for your houseplant.
A watering technique that is adequate to a greatest number of green or flowering plants that decorate our interiors is watering from above or on the surface: the water will infiltrate the soil and the roots, and then flow in the saucer.
All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants Remember to never allow water to stagnate in the saucer, as the roots will rot.
Watering by soaking or drenching : this method consists of submerging the pot in a bucket or in a sink basin filled with water. When the surface is wet, remove the pot. The water will seep through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and will permeate the soil.
This technique is valid for plants that do not like to have wet leaves or flowers such as some carnivorous plants with waxy foliage or other plants such as saintpaulias or cyclamen, with downy foliage.
3.Remember repotting
The plant is a continuously growing living being. Its root system is constantly developing to provide it with the nutrients it needs. It is necessary to carry out regular repotting, first for the roots to find the space they need to grow; this operation also has the advantage of renewing the organic matter enriched in nutrients.
The best period for repotting is in early spring. The plant will then enter a so-called vegetative period and will be better equipped to undergo this change of pot. Place a bed of clay pebble at the bottom of the new pot to create a draining layer (and thus facilitate the flow of water into the soil). The roots will not soak in the water and the clay pebble will retain ambient humidity at the bottom of the pot.
All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants Prepare the plant by removing dead, damaged and fragile roots, which should be cut with very sharp secateurs. Using a transplanter, add a little potting soil, and then place the root ball in the center. Fill the pot then tamp the soil. Finally, water abundantly.
4.Surfacing is a good option
Sometimes it’s preferable to realize a surfacing to enrich the substrate, especially in case your plant is voluminous. To do this, scrape the surface with a claw and remove about 5 centimeters of soil. Then add a layer of potting soil mixed with compost of your choosing. All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants
5.How to keep the ample dosage of light?
Plants are the only organisms capable of photosynthesis, and using light to incorporate their organic matter. So for your plants to be rigorous you have to start with a good dose of light.
It is advisable to place houseplants in the best-lit areas of the house, ideally near a window. You can also opt for artificial lighting such as mercury lamps or fluorescent tubes. It is important to note, however, that excessive sunlight could burn the foliage.
6.What about temperature?
Well, although most houseplants tolerate room temperature, it’s important to ensure the correct temperature mix. Too much heating can in fact dry out green plants. It is therefore not recommended to place the pots near radiators. If an ambient air of 20 ° C seems suitable, a drop between 15 and 18 ° C is recommended in winter since the plants appreciate a cooling in this season. All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants
7.Keeping the adequate humidity
A humidity level of 70-90% is necessary to maintain healthy houseplants. However, it is often impossible to achieve such humidity in apartments unless you provide misting by installing a humidifier near green plants or placing the pots in vats filled with clay beads and water.
The water evaporates and thus creates a humid atmosphere around the green plants. The use of a water spray is recommended for a large number of plants such as Aglaonema, Asplenium, Calathea, Cissus, Croton, Ficus, Monstera, Nephrolepis, Peperomia. However, be careful as not all plants support this technique (begonia, coleus, flowers of anthurium, azaleas).
8.What quality of potting soil?
The potting soil is a growing medium which participates in the growth of the plant, its rooting and the good assimilation of the nutrients it needs.
There are many types of potting soils, and among them many variations in quality. Not all plants have the same agronomic characteristics and therefore they have different growing requirements.
Generally for indoor plants, green plants (ficus, philodendron, palm tree, etc.) or flowering plants (cyclamen, fuchsia, begonia, etc.), universal soil is generally sufficient. It provides all the nutrients necessary for the proper development of your houseplants and re-humidifies quickly, while ensuring good water flow.
All You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Houseplants The special soil for indoor plants, enriched with fertilizer, is also an excellent substrate, both for planting and for repotting. Succulents (or cacti) are referred to as rubicoles as they thrive on poor and dry soils. The special cacti soil therefore has a composition rich in solids to ensure perfect drainage. In addition, many specific potting soils are available on the market, mixed to assure the needs of each group of plants.
Finally, you can also fertilize your plants with eggshells, which have a rich composition procuring many advantages for green plants, as more than 95% of them are made up of minerals such as magnesium, calcium carbonate, iron and potassium.
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