Indoor plants are nature's blessing. Not only do they make the space look brighter and more pleasant, they have many practical benefits. They enhance moods, increase creativity and productivity by up to 15% in offices.
They also absorb toxins from the air and give you clean air to breathe in. They almost sound too good to be true.
But such perks come at some expense—your time and care. Plants don’t want a lot of it, just some attention to help them grow.
You might not have a green thumb. That’s perfectly okay. We are here to help you.
Pick the Right Indoor Plant
You cannot grow an indoor plant that isn’t suited to your conditions. No matter how much love and time you shower it with.
What do you want to do with your plant? Where do you want to put it? These are two crucial questions you need to ask yourself. You can’t buy a plant and then find a space for it.
If you want to place the plant at the tables of your cafe or office, pick plants that are less than 2.5’ tall. They can go on your window sills and shelves too.
A plant between 2.5- 5’ tall is perfect for entrances and seating areas. They can fill up empty spaces and act as accent pieces.
The second factor you want to consider is light. How much light can the property provide the plant? Plants fall into three categories: bright-light plants, medium light plants, and low light plants. So, pick a plant from under the category of light you can provide it.
The third factor is the climate conditions. Some plants can’t tolerate the heat and some can’t tolerate the frost. Each plant has a certain temperature requirement. When violated, the plant can die.
Ensure that you can meet the size, light and temperature requirements before you purchase a plant.
How to Water Indoor Plants?
Watering is where most plant owners fail. It takes a while to get the hang of it.
Remember, your major concern is overwatering. Indoor plants would rather be too dry than too wet. Unlike outdoor plants, indoor plants don’t get as much bright sunlight or air circulation so water takes longer to dry out.
Water the plant at intervals rather than pouring it all in at once. Water, and then let the soil absorb all the water, and if need be, water again. This way, you won’t overwater.
During spring, you should ideally water the plant twice a week and once a week in winter. How often you water the plant changes with the weather and amount of sunlight the plant receives. The hotter it is, the more you water.
There are many ways to check if your plant needs water. We recommend that you stick your thumb in, an inch down. If it comes out dry, your plant needs water.
If you don’t want to dirty your hand, tilt the pot towards yourself. If it feels lighter than usual, water.
Find the Right Space
The last thing you want to do is shove plants amidst furniture. Don’t put them between stacked books or behind large objects. Don’t cover them in any way, with any object.
This restricts the plant’s air flow. Meaning, your plant can’t breathe. This can drastically shorten a plant’s life span.
Keep at least 6 inches of space between your plant and any other furniture. Look for spots that have good air circulation like windows, tabletops.
If the room doesn’t have good airflow, pick a plant that can survive such an environment. Plants like the caste of iron plant, can survive in such conditions.
Good Quality Soil
A plant can only thrive if it’s getting all the required nutrients from the soil. The soil should be breathable and not retain water.
We recommend that you don’t get topsoil. It is heavy and can suffocate the plant.
All-purpose potting mix is a great choice. It holds moisture and drains the water well.
It's spongy and light, yet has enough weight to produce clumps that are easy to tear away. It can store moisture without becoming soggy, is fertile, and has a pH that is close to neutral.
You can also make your own potting soil.
Container Choice
A plant pot can actually act as an accent decor item in an interior design landscape. A combination of tall pots with egg pots creates a variety that is eye-catching. Your pot’s color should also complement the plant's foliage.
But apart from just aesthetics, the container deeply affects the growth of a plant. Pick a container that has drainage holes. This will solve your problem of overwatering.
You can cover the holes with mesh tape so that the soil doesn't fall out.
Terracotta and ceramic pots are another great choice, if you struggle with overwatering. They are porous and hence breathable. This will allow the soil to dry out quicker.
Repot in Early Spring
As your plant grows, it needs more space. The roots fill the pot. You may see the roots on the soil surface or through the drainage holes.
Pick a pot that is slightly larger than the existing one and repot. Repotting requires you to make a lot of choices. The two major decisions are regarding which container you want to choose, the soil mix.
Your decision should be based on the needs of your specific plant. How much water does it need and what soil would suit it the best.
Feed Your Plant
The soil needs replenishment. This comes in the form of fertilizer.
Fertilize your plant when it is actively growing. Or else, you risk burning the foliage.
Follow the instructions on the fertilizer very carefully. Too much fertilizer can kill the plant. We recommend that you dilute liquid fertilizers by half.
