By Rae Steinbach
Investing in a few houseplants can do much to enhance a room. In fact, research has shown that there are several benefits to having indoor plants. They can improve air quality, relieve stress and they can also increase productivity in a workspace.
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While having houseplants can be beneficial, it does require some work on your end. Unlike your lawn where you need to use special equipment in order to maintain it, houseplants don't require any fancy tools. But, your plants will still need regular care if they're going to grow strong.
Unfortunately, many people don't know how to properly care for indoor plants. With these tips, you can keep healthy indoor plants that'll provide you with many benefits:
Know Your Houseplants
Simply put, different plants have different needs. If you want your houseplants to be healthy, you need to familiarize yourself with the conditions that are best for the plant. This is usually easy because most houseplants come with a tag that outlines the necessary care. If you don't have the tag, you could look up the recommended care for a specific plant species on the internet.
This is important because it can tell you how frequently and how much to water, the plant's fertilizer needs, how much sunlight it needs, and more. Once you learn about the necessary care, follow the recommendations.
Watering Your Plants
Plants need water, but too much can kill them. Remember, different plants need different amounts of water and to be watered at different intervals. Some plants might need watering every other day and others may need watering just once a week. Furthermore, your plants' watering needs can change with the seasons. Most plants will not need as much water during winter. Make sure to adjust your watering to the changing needs of your plants.
You may also want to consider the water you use on your plants. In some cases, tap water might not be good for them. If the water is hard or has high chlorine content, it could damage your plants. As an alternative, you could collect rainwater to use for watering your houseplants.
Give Them Fertilizer
Fertilizer is even more important for houseplants than it is for outdoor plants. Being in a pot indoors, houseplants have no source of nutrients other than the ones you provide them. With that in mind, it's vital that you buy the right fertilizer for your indoor plants and follow the instructions carefully.
Find a Good Location
You don't want to place your houseplants in just any location inside the home. You need to account for several factors to make sure you are providing them with a good environment. One of the keys to placing a houseplant is the amount of sunlight it needs. Some plants may need a lot of sunlight, and others may be able to thrive in the shade.
Beyond sunlight, you have to consider things like humidity, as plants can dry out if there isn't enough moisture in the air. You should avoid placing your plants near heating vents, and if an area of the home is drafty during winter, you may want to consider relocating the plant until the seasons change.
Keep an Eye on Your Plants
Even if you follow all of the best practices for plant care, you still need to keep an eye on your plants. Indoor plants can still be subject to diseases and pests. Looking for signs of damage can help you to get ahead of any issues that could cause your plant to die if untreated.
You should also look to prune your houseplants regularly and watch their growth. You obviously want to prune any branches that are damaged, dead or diseased, but you should also consider repotting houseplants that have outgrown their containers. If you take care of your plants, there's a good chance they'll need to be moved to a larger pot.
All of these tips will help you have a better experience with maintaining your houseplants. By implementing these tips, you'll be well on your way to having houseplants that are healthier and live longer!
Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. In the market for an electric grass trimmer or a cordless lawn mower? Steinbach recommends Worx.
