10 Lessons I’ve Learned From My Houseplants: a PSA to anyone who thinks they can’t keep plants alive
Mix hydrogen peroxide into the water you give them! I mix it into the watering can and typically use approximatly 2tsps hydrogen peroxide per 36oz of water. It kills off pests in the soil and will help prevent root rot if you accidentally over water. It also adds more oxygen to the water, and plants really need that! And use room temperature water unless you know for sure a plant likes cold water. For most plants, water that is too hot or too cold will send it into shock and can kill it.
Bottom water bottom water bottom water. Place the plant in a bowl or tray and then pour water into the bowl. The plant will only soak up what it needs, and when the top of the soil barely damp it’s got enough! It also helps keep the soil from compacting which allows air to get to the roots, which helps prevent root rot and gives the plant the oxygen it needs.
If you think it’s thirsty, feel the leaves. The best way to tell if a plant needs water is by checking its leaves. Get to know what the leaves feel like when you first buy it, as it is probably well watered. When you feel it’s been long enough between waterings check the leaves. Does it feel normal? Good, it doesn’t need water for now! Does it feel easily bendable, thinner, softer, or squishier than normal? Give it some water! Remember that it is easier for a plant to come back from being UNDER watered than over watered. If you feel unsure, give it another day or two.
If you still think it’s thirsty after feeling its leaves, feel the soil. Stick your finger down into the soil about 1-2 inches. If the dirt feels wet or damp don’t water it! Wait until the soil is dry 2-3 inches down. (This does not apply to succulents and cacti. Typically wait for the soil to be dry all the way through and leave it dry until the plant shows signs of thirst.
Baby plants are WAY harder to care for than larger plants because they do not have much of an established root system. Its best if you try bigger plants when first starting out (4-6in pots) because they will be more forgiving of mistakes.
Light! Light is one of the most important things to a plant, that’s how they get their energy! Look up the light conditions for a plant BEFORE you buy it, (even if its just a quick google in the store) so you know if you have the right lighting for it. You can do everything right with watering and caring for a plant but if its in the wrong light it will die.
Higher humidity is more important in the winter than in the summer (unless it is a plant that needs a lot of humidity like a fern). While you may not have to worry about humidity in the summer, using a heater in the winter dries out the air in your home very fast. If possible get a small humidifier for your plants. You don’t need anything fancy, I have a $10 one from Target and it does the job fine.
Don’t worry if your plants stop growing in the winter, just like trees loose their leaves, plants go into hibernation too and do not produce as much new growth. During these cold winter months (and spring… and fall….) don’t water as often. Since they don’t grow as much, they don’t need near as much water. Do not use fertilizer during this period either, the plant does not need it and more than likely the fertilizer will just burn the plant’s roots since it won’t absorb it.
Try to give them individual love and attention. Pet their leaves! Give them lil kissies! Play nice music for them! The best way to care for a plant is to learn what it wants individually. Name them if this helps and don’t treat them all the same! Learning what each plant wants is the most rewarding part of horticulture. You can have two of the exact same plant and they will have different needs, its incredible! Let their little personalities shine through.
Don’t give up if you follow all these and still kill a plant! Plants are hard and sometimes their instinct is to just,,,, die. Don’t trust someone who says they’ve never killed a plant, they’re lying, plants die. Try again and be patient with yourself and your plant friends.
