As you may be able to tell by the photos I share here and on my Instagram page, I have a thing for houseplants. Jeremy and I once went around and counted, as we had reached a point where he’d grown concerned about us running out of space (dramatic, I know) and we stopped counting at 50.
Since then, I’ve adopted a few more, and propagated many more than that. We’ve had several friends and family ask how I’m able to keep our houseplants thriving so well, and though I’m convinced it’s mostly due to good luck and great lighting, I wanted to share some of my best tips and lessons learned over the years of being a plant mom.
7 TIPS FOR THRIVING HOUSEPLANTS
Get to Know Your Plants
Before you purchase a plant, take a moment to read up on its needs and suggested care. If you live in a darker home and the plant requires high light, or it’s a massive plant that will require a large pot and tall ceilings and you don’t have the space, it likely won’t fare well! Take note of the pot size, soil type, lighting requirements, and suggested watering needs so your new plant is sure to have everything it needs for its best chance at surviving in your home!
Also try to keep an inventory of the plants you have with their exact names, so if you need to do a little research a year or two after bringing it home, you aren’t left guessing what it’s called. If you have one you’re not sure about, try one of these plant identifying apps.
Create a Watering Routine
I water most of my plants once per week – on the same day, around the same time. Some plants can go two weeks between watering. It’s best to water in the mornings, so the soil has a chance to absorb most of it in the light, to prevent molding. If you tend to water at night and notice mold forming on top of the soil over time, gently scrape it away and add a little extra soil back in if necessary. Certain varieties of plants (air plants, succulents) may appreciate a light misting throughout the week, too!
Clean & Trim Monthly
Cut away any dead leaves with a pair of clean scissors, and use a wet cloth to carefully wipe away any dust on the plant. I do this about once a month to keep our plants looking in tip-top shape. If you’re trimming up a plant simply because it’s getting a bit too big, consider trying to propagate it so you can enjoy the same kind of plant in another room or gift it to a friend! It’s also a great idea to check the soil levels of the plant to see if more need added about once per month.
Repot & Add Support as Needed
There will likely come a time (if things are going well, that is) when you’ll need to transfer your plant into a larger pot. If your plant seems to have stopped growing, is top-heavy and drooping, or roots are causing it to rise from the pot or are growing through the drainage hole, it’s in need of a larger space! If you’re unable to repot a plant right away, you can add some kind of support (I’ve used garden stakes and even kebab skewers) to help keep mine propped up temporarily.
Check for Bugs
Occasionally inspect your houseplants’ leaves (especially the undersides), soil, and the bottom of their pots for pests. Insects that live on houseplants are usually super tiny and hard to spot without getting up close. If you spot them, do your best to wipe them away and then use a natural spray to help rid the plant and soil of any lingering bugs. I usually fill a water bottle and add in a few drops of neem oil or peppermint oil and that seems to do the trick, but you may want to consider these options, too.
Rotate Regularly
Plants grow toward their light source, so you may notice that your houseplant starts to lean after a few months. Rotate your plants about once per month by turning the pot slightly to keep this from happening!
Relocate as Needed
If your plant seems to be struggling a little, despite providing it with the recommended amount of water, light, and soil, try moving it to another location in your home. Sometimes, all it needs is a change of scenery – even if the place you’re moving it to seems pretty similar to its initial home.
I’ve switched up the locations of a few plants over the years when they don’t seem happy and have noticed that sometimes the most minor differences in a room (better heating or less of a draft, more or less humid, and so on) can have a major impact.
If you think you can’t keep a houseplant alive, think again. Everyone is capable of doing so, with a little time and effort! The majority of these tips are also what I’d suggest when it comes to taking care of an outdoor container or raised bed garden, but I’ll plan on offering up some additional advice on that next spring!
I’d love to hear your plant care tips. Share in the comments!
xo, Aly
