We’ve noticed an old home decor trend emerging again- houseplants.
Houseplants may be trendy and fun for plant lovers or new plant parents, but there’s a reason why we love them in our home decor so much: they soften a space.
Adding in a live plant to a shelf, side table, or windows really softens the space and gives it a cozy, lived in feel.
If you are ever in doubt when decorating- see what a live plant will do! It’s amazing what a little greenery can do to create a cozy and inviting vibe in any home.
The houseplant trend is one you don’t need to have a green thumb for if you are wanting to dive in!
Taking care of houseplants is pretty simple: they just need light and water for the most part.
Here are a few simple tips to help you keep your houseplants looking Instagram-worthy all year long!
Let your houseplant dry out between waterings
Did you know the most common cause of houseplant issues is actually overwatering?
Houseplants are not the kind of plants that need to be watered daily. Most houseplants only need watered about once a week.
We recommend picking a certain day of the week to always check your plants on. Some find it helpful to name this day something like “Watering Wednesday” or “Thirsty Thursday” to help it stick in your memory!
On watering days, take the time to feel the soil and only water if the soil feels dry. If the soil doesn’t feel dry, check again in a few days.
We also recommend filling a water container up the night before you water. This allows the water to reach room temperature (what houseplants like to be watered with) and allows some of the chlorine in the water to dissipate.
Make sure your houseplant has proper drainage
Make sure there is either a hole at the bottom of your plant pot or some rocks at the bottom of the pot to allow extra water to get off the roots. Roots don’t like to sit in standing water- they will rot.
Not having proper drainage can cause your plants to be overwatered without you even knowing it. The top layer of soil might feel dry and you might think it’s time to water, but really the roots might still be sitting in the water from last week.
It’s also a good idea to pop your plant into a plant tray before placing it on a shelf, table, etc to help keep the pot from ruining the surface it’s on.
Fertilize with care
Fertilizing your houseplants can help encourage new growth and keep your plant babies healthy.
We recommend fertilizing during natural growth spurt times. Growth spurts occur in the spring and summer, making these seasons the best time to fertilize. In the fall and winter, houseplants don’t need much fertilizer.
The focus during these cooler and darker seasons is health and rest for the plant.
But, be careful to avoid over fertilizing! Fertilizing is not something you’ll want to do weekly, even in an active growth season. Over fertilizing can lead to a burned and unhappy plant.
Here are a few simple tips from our garden center specialist to help you fertilize your plant correctly:
- Choose a fertilizer that matches the acidity and requirements of your plant.
Not sure what fertilizer would be best for your plant? Ask Paula, our garden specialist, next time you are in our garden center!
- We always recommend watering your plants and then waiting a few hours before coming back with water soluble plant food (a fertilizer that you mix in water).
By taking the time to water your plants prior to fertilizing, it allows the roots of your plant to take up the nutrients faster and there is less chance of fertilizer burn using this method. While we usually recommend water soluble plant food for your houseplants, there are many granular fertilizers that also work well for houseplants.
Be sure to follow instructions on the label of any fertilizer!
Take the time to repot overgrown houseplants
Not sure why your plant isn’t doing too hot? Some plants might not be thriving because it’s actually time to replant them in a larger pot.
How do you know if it’s time to repot?
- First, think about how long it’s been since you have planted that houseplant. Are roots showing through the drain hole? If so, it’s time to repot!
- When you initially plant a houseplant, you want at least 2 inches of space around the plant in whatever pot or container you choose. Plants will grow out of their pots at different speeds, but you’ll likely need to repot every year or two if you have a fast growing houseplant. If the plant is starting to look a little crowded in the pot, it might be time to replant!
- Larger plants can benefit from a change of potting mix after a few years. It is also helpful to trim sparse and discolored growth to encourage healthy new growth.
Deadhead and trim your houseplants
Taking the time to deadhead and trim your houseplants every so often is important. This might feel like a chore, but it helps keep your plants happy and healthy.
Be sure to deadhead the flowers or leaves that are yellow/rotting to encourage new growth.
You’ll also want to trim the plant back every so often to encourage new growth too.
If you ever have any questions about caring for your houseplant, you can visit our garden center- our garden specialist, Paula, is always happy to help!