5 Tips for Houseplant Success

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I’m officially a plant mom and I’m not mad about it! For many years, I’ve struggled with keeping plants alive. I’ve always yearned to be the person with a house full of plants but had a “black thumb”. Honestly, every plant I’ve ever owned has died – until now. I made a conscious effort to keep them alive. Here’s the 5 tips for houseplant success that I’ve learned. I hope you’ll find them helpful.

1. Water

This is probably one of the big mistakes I was mistaking before. If you overwater or don’t water at all – your plants won’t make it. So you’ve got to find that sweet spot. What’s the right amount of water? That all depends on the plant. Each plant is different however, houseplants normally don’t need to be watered everyday. One thing that has helped me tremendously is reading the care and maintenance tips that come with the plants. They tell you everything you need to know about your specific plant. Keep a pretty watering can nearby your plants and always water plants according to kind!

2. Fertilize

Indoor plants don’t need daily fertilization but they do need it occasionally. I like to use Jobe’s fertilizer spikes every 6 months or so by placing the spikes right into the planter. The plant will absorb what it needs over time. After fertilizing, you will notice new growth on your plants. Indoor plants love to be fed the extra nutrients.

3. Clean

Show indoor plants some love by wiping the leaves. To promote optimal growth, make sure the leaves remain clean and shiny. If leaves are dirty this can encourage bug/fungus growth, and inhibit the photosynthesis process. A damp rag is great for wiping down houseplants. Dirty plants don’t get all the nutrients they need so keep them clean.

4. Trim

Even indoor plants need to be trimmed. When they are dormant they can be clipped to encourage new growth when they are active again. Also, yellow or brown leaves are likely unproductive and can also be clipped. Use clean floral scissors to remove or trim plant leaves. I love these walnut garden gloves by Barebones. This will ensure no additional fungus is absorbed the plant. Proper trimming will ensure your plant has room to grow the best leaves possible.

5. Sunlight

We all learned in school that plants need sunlight. When it comes to houseplants, each variety is different. Place plants nearby West, East, and South facing windows. This will ensure they get optimal sunlight. I’ve found that windowsills, corners of windows, and even plants placed neared artificial light do very well. The care and maintenance tips on the original plant packaging will tell you exactly what kind of sunlight the plant needs.

Whether it’s a Monstera, a Fiddle Leaf Fig, or a Pothos – plants really don’t need a lot to be successful. But they do need attention from you. Where should they be placed for optimal sunlight? How much should they be watered? When should I fertilize my plant? These are a few of the questions you should ask yourself to ensure your indoor plants will get the best chance for survival. Even if you have a black thumb today, with the above tips, you can have a house full of green plants.