Do you have a legendary green thumb? The truth is, you most likely do. You just don’t realize it. Your thumb may turn green in no time if you have patience, a little general plant care knowledge, and some expert advice. In this article, let’s talk about how to take care of your potted plants.
The ideal spot to begin developing your green thumb is right in your own house. A potted patio or houseplant is frequently an inexpensive and simple place to start. Potted plants not only allow you to cultivate your inner gardener, but they also add a touch of living vitality and color to your house and life.
A few simple rules govern the success of potted plants. Houseplants require adequate lighting, a suitable type of soil, adequate watering, and a little tender loving care. That is all. You can’t go wrong with the following set of best practices.
WHICH POT SHOULD I USE FOR MY HOUSEPLANT?
Believe it or not, the size and type of pot you use while cultivating a potted plant are one of the most crucial decisions you can make. Houseplants are typically sold in appropriately sized containers. As the plant and its roots grow, it is common for the plant to need to be repotted within a year or two.
When the roots extend past the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, your pot has become too tiny. A pot that is too large, on the other hand, will allow the plant to develop too quickly, necessitating repotting sooner. Choose a cheerful medium-sized pot that matches the size of your plant. Allow extra room at the top of the pot for easy watering.
When it comes to water, the type of pot you choose will make a difference. Because clay pots are permeable, the soil dries out faster than glazed or plastic pots.
When it comes to watering, make certain that your new pot has at least one drainage hole on the bottom. There isn’t a single houseplant alive that appreciates wet feet. Drainage is critical to the overall health of your plant. If your pot lacks a drainage hole, add a layer of rocks at the bottom of the pot to allow water to drain away from the plant’s roots. To catch excess water, place a tray beneath your indoor potted plant.
Related: What Kills Houseplants?
WHAT SOIL TYPE IS BEST FOR POTTED PLANTS?
Think again if you think soil is just dirt. Your houseplant will notice the difference between a decent mix and bad-quality soil. Even good quality soil from your outdoor garden is not suitable for a potted plant. Potting soil is the best soil for a potted plant.
Potting soil is the best choice for your houseplant since it is particularly prepared to allow drainage within the container while also promoting air circulation to the roots. Potting soil contains moisture-retaining components as well as minerals that nourish the plant.
To make your own potting soil, combine equal parts vermiculite or perlite and peat moss or sphagnum moss. If necessary, add some outdoor garden soil for bulk. To balance the acid levels in your mix, add some sawdust, shredded bark, or lime. Finally, apply fertilizer. It will be appreciated by your potted plant.
HOW MUCH LIGHT?
While all houseplants require light, there is considerable diversity in how much light they require. You should choose a site that is appropriate for the type of plant. So, when you buy a houseplant, have a look around your house and select where you want to put it. When you first choose the location, you can choose a plant-based on the lighting in that region of your home.
A succulent jade plant or a Christmas cactus is a fantastic choice for a sunny southern windowsill. Try a prayer plant or English ivy for indirect sunlight. Choose a split-leaf philodendron or a Boston fern for a low-light area. Flowering plants require many hours of indirect sunlight per day, so a north-facing window would be ideal.
You can provide artificial light to your plants to achieve the right amount of light even in the darkest of corners. A fluorescent lamp set around one foot away from the plant’s top for sixteen hours a day will offer enough light for a healthy houseplant.
BEST WATERING PRACTICES
Proper watering will be your most difficult problem when it comes to potted plant health. Watering your potted plant necessitates a careful balance between too wet and too dry. Even brief intervals of either extreme will threaten your plant’s general health.
Just as different species of plants have varying lighting requirements, so do houseplants have different watering demands. It is critical to understand the watering requirements of the plant you have chosen.
There are two main methods for watering your potted plant. Pour water into the soil around the base of your plant and water from the top of the pot. You can also immerse your potted plant in water up to the rim of the pot. The water will be absorbed by the roots and soil via the drainage hole. When the soil on top of the plant is damp, remove it from the water. Water from the top occasionally to rinse minerals back down into the soil toward the roots if you choose this way of watering.
Related: Taking Care of House Plants: Your Basic Guide
In general, you can learn to recognize your plant’s hydration level by studying it and the soil around it. You can test the soil around your plant by sticking your finger into it to see if it is wet, moist, or dry. Consider purchasing a water meter from your local nursery. A water meter is a low-cost gadget that measures the moisture level surrounding your plant.
Excessive watering will make your plant susceptible to root rot, leaf yellowing, and leaf drop. If the soil around your plant becomes too dry, it will wilt and become more vulnerable to spider mites and other pests.
PESTS AND PROBLEMS WITH POTTED PLANT
Your potted plant should thrive with adequate care and attention. When adding a companion to your first successful potted plant, keep it separate from the original plant in case the new plant has bugs.
If you notice that your plant has become contaminated, you may be able to clean it by rinsing or spraying it. Try yellow sticky traps for flying pests. If your plant becomes highly contaminated, you should definitely discard it and start over.
Set aside a few minutes each day to care for your container garden. You’ll develop good gardening practices while maintaining your plants in great condition. Everyone comes out ahead!
