Let’s talk houseplants, friends! If you’ve been following along with me on social, then you’ve seen that my design aesthetic includes plenty of greenery. Not only do these lovely leafy greens give life to a space, but they’ve also been shown to offer a variety of wellness benefits including improved air quality, boosting your mood, and promoting creativity and productivity.
My mom, who has the green thumb in our family, has had to save a plant or two of mine over the years, so I’m certainly not the authority on all things houseplants. However, I have become a moderately proficient plant lady since embarking on the journey during quarantine; so, if I’m able to keep my current collection of eleven plants alive (and mostly thriving), then I know you can do it, too!
By the way, the products included in this post are not affiliated or sponsored in any way – it’s just me sharing the things I’ve found helpful. :)
Tip 1: Start small. If you’re just starting out, don’t buy a bunch at one time. Choose plants that are low maintenance and suit your lifestyle. For example, Maidenhair Ferns, as delicate and beautiful as they may be, require quite a bit more attention than the easy-to-care-for Pothos, so you may not want to start there if you have a busy schedule.
Tip 2: Take note of the sun. Place your plant in a suitable location in your home based on the amount and type (direct or indirect) of sunlight it needs. Once your plant finds its happy place, leave it there. They don’t like to be moved around very much.
Tip 3: Don’t rush to repot. Most of the time, I leave my plants in the plastic containers they come in for a few weeks so they can adjust to their new environment. My Fiddle Leaf and Maidenhair are still in the original containers. I just added a plastic tray to the bottom of a seagrass basket and ta da!
Tip 4: Establish a watering routine. Pick a day of the week to make the rounds and water them all. This is also a good time to rotate your plants to make sure all sides get a little love from the sun and to prune any dead/dying leaves. I’ve found it helpful to use a soil moisture sensor, particularly for those plants that need watering more or less frequently than the weekly schedule.
Tip 5: Feed your greenery. Generally speaking, you should fertilize your plants during growing season at the frequency listed on the label of your plant food. The one I have linked here is an organic fertilizer, which I prefer over their chemical counterparts because they break down over time and improve the soil. Warning though, it’s made from fish matter, so the smell may be a bit shocking the first time you open the bottle. And you will likely find your dog sniffing around your plants for a couple days after watering. :)
Tip 6: Plug in your humidifier. Particularly if you have tropical plants that are accustomed to flourishing in a humid rainforest, adding a little moisture back into the air is a great way to create an ideal growing environment. You can also periodically mist your plants with a spray bottle of clean water.
Bonus Tip: If you want your plant leaves to look beautiful and extra healthy, use a leaf shine spray.
All in all, I would say if you have a plant that doesn’t seem to be doing well, do a quick Google search and read up on the best way to care for it. Then make some adjustments to your routine. It is likely something to do with the amount of light, the frequency of water, or perhaps it needs to be repotted with fresh soil and a little plant food.
Happy planting!