House Plant Care And Maintenance

House Plant Care and Maintenance

When it comes to house plant care one of the things we hear most from our customers is “what is easiest to care for.” There are a number of plants such as pothos, dracaenas, rubber plants, dieffenbachias, and philodendrons that can withstand some neglect such as improper lighting or watering. Just as you care for your cat or dog, plants are living creatures and will flourish as well from your care and attention. You’ve probably heard some people say they talk to their plants.

Trying to place plants to fit your décor is important but it is most important to find a location where they will receive the proper amount of sunlight. Outdoor plants require some degree of sunlight whereas house plants can survive with indirect light. If your plant requires high light, this means it should receive several hours of direct sunlight as well as bright lighting the rest of the day; medium light means the most light without getting the direct sun; and low light requires a space in a dimly lit room and away from windows. Artificial gro-lights are a great supplement for plants requiring more sunlight than you have available. Incandescent bulbs can help but florescent bulbs (good for foliage plants) provide a cooler and less expensive light. A “plant light” bulb is great for blooming plants.

House plant care and attention to watering is important. Over watering or under watering are the two main causes of plant death. The best practice is to keep the soil moist but not wet. The best method is to take your hand and feel just below the surface and only water when needed. If you still feel moisture, don’t water. When you do water, a good soaking of the soil is best as this aids in the removal of excess salt and fertilizer build up. Water until it drains from the bottom of the container and then allow the soil to almost completely dry out before watering again. Plants must never stand continuously in water as this can cause injury to the roots. If possible, water your plants with distilled water or rainwater. If you do water with tap water, let it stand for a couple of days allowing the dissipation of chlorine.

Since natural soils do not drain well, quality potting soils which contain a good combination of nutrients, proper aeration, and good drainage (yet retain moisture) is a must for most house plants. Soil which has a slight acidic pH level and are peat based, lightweight and spongy are preferred. Over time an encrustation can form on the top layer of the soil and should be loosened, removed and new soil added. After a while, old soil loses minerals and therefore should be replaced every couple of years.

As far as temperature is concerned, a daytime range of 65° to 75° is best and a cooler nighttime range of 60° to 65° is ideal. Be careful not to place your plant in a drafty area as this can result in leaf drop. If your plant begins to wilt or you notice a yellowing of the leaves, you might check to see if it is exposed to too much heat from a heater or furnace vent.

Humidity also plays a vital role in the health of house plant care. A relative humidity of around 80 percent is needed for your plants to thrive. In order to increase the humidity in your home you might use a home humidifier or a pebble tray with water which gradually evaporates and adds humidity. Misting can add humidity to plants as well as placing them in the more humid rooms of your home such as a bathroom or kitchen. Dust can also build up on plant leaves and should be removed every week or two using a damp cloth.

Fertilizing is another important factor in the care of your plants as nutrients in the soil can be lost or washed out over time through routine watering. Keep in mind that indoor plants grow slower and therefore require fewer nutrients than your outdoor plants and that it’s far better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize. Be sure to read and follow the directions on your choice of fertilizer and check to see that fertilizing is not harmful for your particular plant. Our recommendation is to purchase an indoor, slow release fertilizer.