How to Care for Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are a great way to add color to any room, while providing many health benefits to those who live in the home. Caring for indoor plants is simple if you know the plant's basic requirements, such as sunlight and water.
Plant Care
- Select plants that are easy to take care of and do not require a lot of maintenance.
- Ask an employee at a nursery or garden center which indoor plants are best to start with.
- Look on the tags to see the specific requirements for each plant.
- Research the amount of sunlight your indoor plants will require. Different plants will require a different amount of sunlight in order to thrive.
- Make sure the plants receive enough water, but be careful not to give them too much water. Giving the plants too much water can drown the roots and cause them to rot, which is often the cause of drooping leaves and discoloration.
- Test the soil before you water the plants by sticking your finger down into the soil. If the soil is moist, the plant does not need to be watered. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water the plant.
- Check to see that the plant has the right fertilizer, as many plants already have the right amount of fertilizer in them.
- Avoid using grass or outside plant fertilizers on indoor plants, and stick to houseplant fertilizers.
Repotting
Items Needed
- Pot
- Potting mix
- Fertilizer
- Repot the plant when it has become too big for the original pot.
- Choose a pot that is a little bigger than the original pot.
- Grab the plant by it's main stem, and avoid grabbing any leaves or branches.
- Add fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot.
- Place the plant in the new pot. If the roots are bound together, loosen them with your hand.
- Fill in the pot with additional potting mix.
- Water the plant. Use fertilizer if needed.