First Time Owning Houseplants? Here Are 3 Simple Houseplant Care Tips
Houseplants are beautiful additions to your home's decor. At first, they promote the overall look you're going for, but in time there are things you need to do in order to keep them looking great. If you're new to using houseplants to beautify your home, this guide explains three simple tips to help keep them looking beautiful for years to come.
Tip 1: Know When to Water and How
Not all plants need the same amount of water. Check the tag that comes with the plant to determine how much and when you should offer your greenery something to drink.
Even though each plant has different watering needs, there is a general rule of thumb to go by when determining if it's time to water. Stick your index finger into the soil down to your first knuckle. If your finger is moist when you pull it out, then the plant does not need water. If it's dry, water the plant with a watering can that has a small spout evenly around the soil. Continue to add water until you see some beginning to accumulate in the bottom tray that the pot sits in.
Tip 2: Group Plants Together to Help the Humidity Level
Houseplants thrive on humidity, which most homes don't have a lot of. However, by grouping houseplants together you can naturally create the humidity plants need.
As the water evaporates from the leaves and the bottom tray, it creates humidity that flows into the air. When plants are grouped together, they absorb this humidity from each other.
If grouping your houseplants together is not an option, add some pebbles to the bottom tray. The pebbles help the drainage and promote more humidity in the area. Also consider grouping them in wrought iron plant stands.
Tip 3: Use Time-Release Fertilizer
Fertilize your houseplants with a time-release fertilizer. Doing so allows you to not think so much about when you need to fertilize each plant. The substance automatically releases the food plants need as they need it.
Look for a stick-type fertilizer that you place in one spot of the soil. They look like thin brown or green sticks. When the stick is gone, you'll know it's time to add more fertilizer.
Ask your gardener for more ideas on how to properly care for your houseplants so that your visitors will think you have a green thumb. You might find that keeping plants in your home for years at a time is not as difficult as you first thought. Share this with others who want some greenery added to the decor of their home, but think they won't be able to keep the plants alive.