It doesn't matter whether an indoor garden is a few pots on the windowsill or a large collection of pots scattered throughout the whole house, indoor plants deliver a meaningful dimension to any home. Choosing the right plants are subject to personal taste, and generally dictated by your own instinctive reactions to the plants' attractive features. When choosing a plant, always remember it is a living thing, and as such, will grow and change as time goes by. Because we rarely purchase mature plants, if you are buying because of the shape of the plant, always check if this shape will be retained, or whether the plant can be trimmed and pruned to retain its shape.
So, variety, diversity and change, these are the words that are at the heart of indoor plant success. A potted plant is not a dainty piece of pottery, it is a living, vibrant organism that needs care, consideration and love to reach its full potential. Here are some tips to assist.
1. Plants will always grow towards the light, so keep rotating them, and they will grow straight. Remember also that the lower part of the plant may also need more light to keep the plant looking healthy.
2. Pay attention to the lighting requirements for your indoor plants, and locate the plant accordingly. If your plant isn't getting enough light it will appear wispy looking. Always check the plant instructions for light requirements. Buying plants that need medium to low light are a best for most homes.
3. Use room temperature water when watering your indoor plants. Soak thoroughly but make sure plants aren't allowed to sit in water as this can cause the roots to rot, proper drainage, or sandy potting mix will alleviate this.
4. Plants periodically need to be hosed down to rid them of dirt, dust, and grime. Place your plant in your kitchen sink or bathtub and use the spray attachment to gently rinse it off. Use lukewarm water and allow your plant to air dry before returning it to its regular location.
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5. Plants improve the quality of household air but remember plants can suffer if kept in air that is always smoky, stagnate or overly dry (airconditioning). Do yourself and your plants a favor by opening the windows and allowing fresh air to come into the house at least several times a week.
6. As with us, most house plants do well in a daytime temperature range of 65-75 and ten degrees lower at night. Pay attention to your plant, if it isn't looking well a change in temperature might be all it needs to get back on the right track.
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7. Keep the care tag for each plant you buy. This way you will remember the name of the plant and what type of individual care it needs to stay healthy. I have made this mistake many, many times thinking I would remember how to take care of the plant and after a few months I couldn't even remember the name of the plant!
8. Your indoor plants need to be "fed" often because vital nutrients are flushed out of the soil each time you water. We suggest a slow release fertilizer that is added to the soil or you can use a liquid fertilizer that is added in small amounts when you water your plant. Don't fertilize in winter, instead, fertilize regularly during growing and flowering stages
9. When growing plants indoors in containers, do not use soil from the garden as it does not yield good results. Outdoor soil can contain insects, weeds, and disease-causing organisms that can actually harm other healthy plants already living indoors. Additionally, outdoor soils become compacted when put into small containers. This will lead to problems with the plant's roots and might also impede drainage.
10. We all need room to grow and plants do too! When you notice that roots are coming out of the drainage hole or seem thick and/ or matted, it is time to repot your plant. Helpful Hint: When picking a container/pot for your house plants, make sure it will drain properly. I know what you are probably thinking...many pots are sold without drainage holes! If you find one that you are absolutely in love with drill a hole in the bottom of the container, otherwise your plant will almost certainly die. Without a drainage hole, water collects in the pot and causes damage to the roots. If this isn't an option you can double pot your plant.
There is absolutely no reason why an outstanding collection of plants can not include a broad range of different species. In some ways, an indoor collection of plants can be easier to care for and grow than those outside in the garden because the "indoor climate" is contrived. Use this to your advantage.
Gardening and Landscaping, together with cultivating an indoor garden, can be a beautiful hobby that will add much value to your home and investment.
