10 Plant Care Steps
There's no such thing as the perfect plant care routine. Don't worry; at the end of the day, experience is the best teacher. But, just to give you a head start, here are ten steps to get you started on the correct track. Whilst they won't answer all your questions and you don't have to follow them in order, they're aimed to help you through.
1. LIGHT
Determine the sort of light that enters your room, this will assist you in selecting the best plant for the location. Every plant has different lighting requirements. A cactus, for example, will never thrive in your environment if you only have low light for the majority of the day. Instead, look for plants that thrive in low light, such as snake or zz plants. Every week, rotate your plants to face the light so that all of the leaves receive an equal quantity of light and they grow upwards.
2. WATER
Water your plant only when it requires it. Water the plants just enough so that the water is absorbed by the soil and the surplus water drains out the bottom. Plunge your finger into the soil for at least one inch or two to make sure it is dry before watering. The weight of the pot can also indicate whether or not the plant requires watering. A plant that does not require water is heavier than one that grows in dry soil. For more tips checkout our Watering Tips here
3. GROWING MEDIUM
Most plants can last at least a year in their current pot. If your plant is root bound, you should re-pot it as soon as possible. Re-pot your plant by going up a size if necessary about 5 -8cm larger. Oversized pot for a plant will cause there to be too much soil that absorbs too much water for the plant to handle, resulting in root rot.
4. CHECK IT
Check the underside of your leaves if you notice it losing its natural vibrancy or if you discover any yellowing on the once perfectly green leaves. You'll most likely find a variety of destructive bugs to watch out for. Mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and aphids are common insects that are fortunately easy to control. They are harmful to plants but not to humans or pets. Regularly inspecting your plants for insects will benefit you in the long run. Please note some plants do naturally lose their baby leaves as leaves can have a limited lifespan. It is good practice to check your plants regularly.
5. TREAT IT
To prevent other plants from becoming infected, sick plants should be isolated. A tried and effective method of keeping insects at bay is to use neem oil. As most insect life cycles last 7-14 days, treatments should last at least that long but preferably longer to ensure you have effectively removed the problem. Remember not to use Neem Oil in direct light as it can cause sun damage on the leaves.
6. CLEAN IT
Wiping down the leaves on a regular basis ensures that they can continue to photosynthesize to their full potential. Any dust on the foliage or on your windows can prevent the plant from absorbing its natural food source. You may also give your plant a good spray in the shower to remove any dirt or dust from the leaves.
7. TRIM IT
Plants communicate through their leaves. To maintain the plant looking its best, prune any damaged or old leaves. Over or under watering is indicated by crisp, brown edges. Examine your watering schedule and make adjustments based on the plant's happiness. Old leaves that have run out of energy have a consistent yellow colour at the base of the plant with no brown areas. This is very normal behaviour. It's the plant's way of letting go of the old and making room for the new.
8. FEED IT
In the plant's natural environment, organic composts are continually replenishing the soil with nutrients. The plant absorbs these nutrients and uses them to help it grow and flourish. Houseplants are dependant on the nutrients we feed them. This natural process is mimicked by adding fertilisers to the soil.
9. SPRAY IT
The majority of houseplants come from tropical regions of the world, where humidity plays an important role in their health. Most plants thrive in the typical amounts of humidity found in our homes. However some plants, on the other hand, may require a higher level of moisture. Misting your plants regularly will assist temporarily, and grouping them together will create a microclimate that will naturally increase humidity. As the water evaporates around the plant, placing it on a tray with stones and water will result in higher levels. The best solution is placing your plants near a humidifier, which manages humidity for longer periods of time, is the most effective method.
10. DORMANCY
From late autumn to the beginning of winter, many plants go dormant.
Your plants will stop growing during this time, fertilisation should be stopped, and you should not water your plants for an extended period of time because moist soil takes longer to dry out during this time.
The most important thing is to keep the temperature steady so that the plant is not shocked.
There may be some leaf loss, which is entirely natural.
They may not be doing much during this time, but they'll be back in the spring.
