Struggling to Keep Your Houseplants Alive? - Try These Tips

Sun, Apr 21, 2024 05:58 CET

Are you a lover of houseplants but struggling to keep your houseplants alive? There are several common problems that could be preventing your houseplants from thriving. From inadequate lighting to overwatering, many things can play a part in keeping your houseplants from being their healthiest.

A group of potted plants

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Gardening and plant expert, Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote.co.uk has created this guide on how to keep your houseplants alive. Here, Fiona shares her top tips on preventing houseplants from perishing and she also provides a list of the easiest houseplants to keep alive to help take some of the strain away from houseplant beginners. Take a look at Fiona’s tips below.

Give Your Plants The Right Amount of Light

One of the most common mistakes is incorrect lighting. Many houseplants crave bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid placing them in full sun, which can scorch leaves. East or north-facing windows are ideal for most foliage plants. Some flowering varieties might require a few hours of direct morning sun. Observing your plant's natural habitat can give clues to its light preferences. Make sure to do your research so you know how much sunlight your plant needs.

Avoid Overwatering or Underwatering

Watering is a balancing act. Overwatering is a death sentence for most houseplants, as it can lead to root rot. Underwatering, however, leaves your houseplants parched and sickly. The key is to water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting your plant sit in water. Make sure you have drainage holes in the bottom of the pots to allow excess water to escape. Empty saucers after watering to prevent root rot.

Get The Perfect Pot For Your Plant

The right pot plays a crucial role in the health of your plant. Drainage holes are essential to prevent waterlogging. Consider the material – terracotta pots breathe more than glazed ceramic, allowing for faster soil drying. Plastic pots retain moisture well, so adjust your watering frequency accordingly. Repot your plant when it becomes rootbound, indicated by roots circling the pot or the plant pushing itself out of the container. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball.

Think About The Location

Just like us, plants also have comfort zones. Avoid placing your houseplants close to draughts, radiators, or air conditioners. Sudden temperature fluctuations can stress them out. Also, keep your houseplants away from fruit bowls – ripening fruits emit ethylene gas, which can shorten the lifespan of some flowers.

Keep on Top of Feeding

While houseplants don't need constant feeding, a balanced fertiliser can give them a boost during their growing season, which is usually in spring and summer. Be sure to read the fertiliser instructions carefully and dilute it to a weaker solution than recommended. Over-fertilising can damage roots and burn leaves.

Keep Your Houseplants Clean

Give your plants a gentle wipe-down with a damp cloth regularly to remove dust from their leaves. This allows them to photosynthesise more efficiently and can help prevent pest infestations.

What Are The Easiest Houseplants to Keep Alive?

Snake Plant

Snake plants are very easy to care for and the perfect option for people who are new to caring for houseplants. Snake plants can survive in most light conditions – just don’t keep them in complete darkness or extreme direct sunlight.

Watering a snake plant is very easy. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering. If you're someone who often forgets to water plants, don't worry. Snake plants are quite forgiving and won't suffer too much from a lack of water. Just make sure to check the soil whenever you remember and top it up with water if the soil is dry.

You can keep a snake plant looking beautifully fresh easily by simply wiping any dust off the leaves. You only need to do this every now and again when you notice a dust build-up.

Devil’s Envy

Devil’s Envy is often sometimes known as Golden Pothos, Hunter’s Robe, or Ceylon Creeper. This is one of the most popular houseplants among people wanting to bring a bit of greenery into their homes.

This plant can quite happily live in darkness and shaded areas, so it's perfect for an indoor plant. It makes a great climbing or hanging plant.

This plant is quick to grow and tolerant of all lighting conditions. However, it will thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. You can easily tell when this plant needs a drink as the leaves will begin to curl.

Silver Vine

The silver vine is growing in popularity as a houseplant. Again, this is a brilliant climbing or hanging plant for beginners.

Although it is mostly accustomed to warmer climates, this plant can also cope well in cooler homes. The speckled leaves on this plant are unique and bring a lot of beauty.

Similar to the Devil’s Envy plant, Silver Vines will also tell you when they are thirsty as the leaves will begin to curl. This makes it an easy choice for people who may not remember when to water their plants.

Corn Plant

Corn plants, also known as Dracaena Fragrans, can grow very tall in the wild. However, you won’t need to worry too much about it growing out of control when it’s in a pot in your home.

This plant is very easy to grow and is also considered to be a symbol of reason and good fortune.

Similar to a Snake plant, simply allow the soil to dry out before watering this plant. If anything is wrong with the plant, it will let you know in plenty of time. However, these plants are pretty hardy, and it's rare for any issues to occur. To keep the plant looking beautiful and fresh, give the leaves a wipe every now and again.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera plants and other succulents are perfect for people who are new to caring for houseplants. These plants are fine if you forget to water them and can usually withstand neglect.

The Aloe Vera plant is also very useful. The gel that oozes from the leaves is great for soothing and healing minor burns and cuts.

Aloe Vera plants are quite hardy but are best placed in an area of indirect sunlight to prevent them from becoming scorched.

Final Thoughts

With a little understanding and these simple tips, you can transform your houseplants from wilting, miserable messes to thriving and happy plants. Observe your plants, identify their needs, and adjust your care accordingly. Soon, your home will be a flourishing sanctuary filled with thriving greenery. Happy planting!

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