A few interesting facts for you to ponder…
According to a recent Terrapin Bright Green report, customers were willing to pay 15 to 25% more for goods bought from a “green” retail store.
The American Society for Horticultural Science found that people with plants in their workspace were less likely to suffer from “sick building syndrome” and took fewer sick days.
In a recent Orbitz survey, when asked about what hotel amenity they’d most like to see in their hotel rooms, 63% of millennial travelers answered MORE PLANTS.
Clearly, if you want to make a lasting first impression with your clients or have more productive employees, incorporating indoor plants into your landscape is a no-brainer.
But if you’re someone who’s new to the world of plants and is overwhelmed with how to care for your indoor plants, fret not.
In this guide, we’ll share some of our best indoor plant care tips that’ll keep your plants alive and kicking for years.
1. Know When to Water Your Indoor Plants
Perplexed about how often you should water indoor plants?
Just remember this rule of thumb: Water your plant only when the top ½ to 1 inch of the soil feels dry.
Don’t try to water your plants on a fixed schedule. All you need to do is poke your finger into the soil and let the plant tell you when it needs water.
Here are a few other things to bear in mind while watering your indoor plants.
Research to Understand Your Plants’ Water Requirements
For instance, flowering plants generally require more water compared to cacti and succulents.
Plants having thick leaves need more water than those with leathery or waxy leaves.
Check the Soil
Water your plants whenever the soil appears cracked or lighter in color.
Observe the Weight of the Pot
If your pot feels very light, it means the soil is dry and needs to be watered.
Examine Your Plant for Warning Signs
Wilted leaves, brown & dried leaf edges, yellow & curled lower leaves all indicate that your plant isn’t getting enough water.
Leaf loss, no new leaf growth, discolored leaves, and rotting roots mean that your plant is overwatered.
Expert Tips to Water Your Indoor Plants
Use warm water for faster absorption into the soil.
Water only at the base of the plant.
Pour a little water first, wait for it to soak down, then pour some more.
Ensure that the water is draining well from the pot as stagnant water can kill your plants in no time.
Plants including Chinese Evergreens, orchids, and ferns do well when you mist them. Do not spritz succulents such as aloe or plants with waxy leaves including Pothos and Peace Lilies, as this could cause a fungus attack.
2. Give Your Plants the Light They Need
All plants require sunlight. That is their food, after all.
Flowering plants and succulents need around 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
So, you could place them either
Within 2 feet of a south- or southwest-facing window or
In sunlight-flooded window sills.
Foliage plants need 8-16 hours of bright, indirect light per day. Place them either
within 4-5 feet of an east- or west-facing window or
within 3-5 feet from a south-facing window.
Low-light plants including Cast Iron plants and Dragon trees can survive even in dim corners and north-facing rooms.
Signs of a Plant Not Getting Enough Light
Yellowing lower leaves that fall off
Spindly leaf growth
New long shoots growing towards the light
Flowering plants that stop blooming
Signs of a Plant Getting Excess Light
Withered, washed-out leaves
Blotchy white, brown, or yellow burns on leaves
Scaly or wrinkled leaves
3. Fertilize Your Plants Regularly
When to fertilize indoor plants depends on
Season
In the spring season, most plants have a growth spurt and hence this would be the best time to fertilize them.
During the fall and winter months, plants hardly need any fertilizer.
Type of Plant
Flowering plants need more fertilizer than other types, say succulents.
Low light plants need less fertilizing than plants grown in bright light.
So, how to fertilize indoor plants?
There are different types of fertilizer including liquids, tablets, granules, sticks, and slow-release forms.
All fertilizers contain 3 basic nutrients
1. Nitrogen
2. Phosphorous
3. Potassium
For your foliage plants, you would want a fertilizer with higher nitrogen content, while a high phosphorus-containing fertilizer would be ideal for flowering plants.
If you’re using a liquid fertilizer, dilute it with water and apply with a watering can.
Warning Signs of Over-Fertilized Plants
Stunted growth
Scorched leaf margins
Yellowing leaves
Wilting and eventually death
Warning Signs of Under-Fertilized Plants
Weak stems
Faded leaves
Decrease in blooms
4. Provide Your Plants with Proper Air Circulation
Air circulation makes your indoor plants stronger and prevents dampness and condensation on plants.
Here’s how you ensure adequate air circulation for your plants
Place them near windows, whenever possible
Use a fan, but check that it doesn’t blow directly onto your plants
Space out your plants well. Don’t cram them too close to the walls, or in damp, dark corners.
5. Repot Your Plants as Required
Generally, you will need to repot your indoor plants every 1 to 1.5 years, depending on their growth. Spring and summer are the best times to repot.
Sometimes, all you need to do is to change the soil or potting mix; your plants can remain in the same pots.
Repot your plant when
Roots are growing out through the pot’s drainage hole
It has outgrown its planter
Its growth rate has slowed down
6. Protect Your Plants from Feline Trespassers
Here’s how to keep cats out of your indoor plants:
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around your plants.
Place orange or lemon peels in your pots.
Spritz the leaves with diluted orange oil or lemon juice.
Dilute a few spoons of mustard in water and spray over your plants.
How to Arrange Indoor Plants in Your Commercial Space
You could
Install a live plant wall to create a focal point in your spa lobby
Group plants with varying heights and textures in an unused corner of your office
Use trendy planters that complement your hotel’s architecture
Or better yet, hire a plant design services expert to do the job for you.
Last Words..
With these practical indoor plant care tips, your plants will get all the TLC they need. For expert interior plant services and live plant installation services, feel free to contact us today!
