Caring for Indoor Plants
By Gail Kavanagh
Photo: © Kerstin Aust - Dreamstime
 When you've no room for a garden, but you love natural beauty like flowers and plants, houseplants are the solution. Keeping plants healthy and fresh indoors need not be a tricky business. It’s a matter of position, moisture and pest control.
Position: Place your houseplant in a favorable spot. Some plants require a lot more light than others. If your plant looks lifeless and the leaves lose color and shine, it needs a sunnier spot. But a plant that starts to look shriveled with yellowing leaves probably needs more shade.
Talk to your plant supplier about the best conditions for your plant. Plants that enjoy sunny conditions in the garden will also appreciate a sunny spot in the home. Plants suited to moist, humid conditions will do well in the bathroom, while plants intended for shady spots can be placed away from main sources of light in the home.
Watering: This is always a critical factor in maintaining a healthy plant. The tendency is to water too much, since the soil in pots always looks dry. But a little less is far better than a little more when it comes to watering. |
Check if the plant needs water by sticking a finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it is very dry, and obviously in desperate need of rescue, plug the kitchen sink, fill with water and soak the plant in its container until bubbles stop rising in the sink water. Put the container where it can drain well. A great way to combat under watering is to add water crystals to the potting mix.
If moist sticky soil sticks to your finger then it is probably too wet. Check to see that the tray under your plants' container isn’t full of water, and let the container drain out and dry in the open air for a while.
Only water your indoor plants if the finger test indicates that the soil is quite dry. A mister is a good idea, especially for those plants that appreciate humid conditions.
Pest Control: It's not just for outdoor gardens; indoor gardeners get bugged with pests as well. If your indoor plant looks distressed and seems to have difficulty forming new leaves, it may have mealy bugs. Look for small, fluffy, white lumps at the leaf joints. If the infestation is minor, it can be treated with a cotton swab and alcohol. If the plant shows dark raised spots on the leaves, it has scale. Ask your plant professional for a white oil spray.
Other pests may be a little harder to deal with. Children, pets and party guests may prove hazardous to your plants, especially if the plants are placed in main traffic areas. To keep your houseplants healthy, place them where they can’t be accidentally knocked over. |
