Care Tips for Popular House Plants

Care tips for popular house plants

Whether you plan on buying a potted plant for yourself or for a loved one, it's always important to understand the sort of care you'll be expected to provide. Knowing how to tend to your plants will ensure that the grow and flourish for as long as possible.

African Violet

This is clearly one of the most popular house plants because they have a long bloom period and they are one of the easiest to care for. The soil should be moist and allowed to dry out in between each watering. This helps encourage blooming. It's important to always water from the bottom because the water can cause damage to the leaves. Place water in the tray under the pot and let the soil soak it up. It should be placed in bright, indirect light and wilted flowers need to be pinched off as soon as possible. Fertilize monthly while the plant is growing new buds and leaves.

Amaryllis

This plant is accustomed to warmer conditions. The flowers might require some support in certain instances. You can do so with the help of bamboo and raffia. If you receive the plant as a bulb, you should keep it in a warm, bright room. When it begins to bud, you can move the plant to a cooler place. This will help prolong the blooming period. Moderate watering will suffice to keep the soil moist but not too wet. After the blooming period comes to an end, you should still make sure that the plant gets a few hours of full sunlight. When the flowers start to fade, they need to be cut off immediately. Dormant bulbs should be kept in a cool, dry place until it begins to sprout.

Bromeliad

This is a tough potted plant that enjoys bright, indirect light or even some direct sunlight. The soil should be moist but not wet. Water can be poured in the centre of the plant (where the bases of the leaves meet). This allows it to drain through the soil. If the water in your area is hard, your plants will do much better with distilled water or even rainwater.

Azalea

These plants prefer cool spots with plenty of indirect light. The soil should be kept moist and never left to dry out or too wet. Dead flowers need to be removed immediately. If you want to move the plant to a larger pot, you should always wait until its blooming season comes to an end.

Bonsai

The soil should be kept moist to dry. Water this plant every 2 - 3 days and always do so from the bottom. Submerge the planter in some fresh water and let the roots soak up the water for about 15 minutes. This plant will require pruning to maintain its shape and annual root pruning in the later part of the winter (remove the plant from the planter and trim off 1/3 of the roots). Monthly fertilizing is advisable while the plant is growing new leaves and buds.

Hyacinth

This plant will prefer brighter parts of your home and moist, but not wet, soil. After watering, you should allow excess water to drain out. You can support the flowers with bamboo sticks and raffia. This will keep the stress off the roots and allow you to enjoy the flowers for as long as possible.

Rose

Potted roses can thrive indoors provided they are placed in bright, indirect light. The soil should be moist and allow it to dry out somewhat between waterings. Yellowing leaves should be removed as well as dying flowers.

Cyclamen

These are one of the hardiest potted plants. These plants need just the right amount of water. Too much or too little can have dire effects on the plant. Dying flowers should be removed promptly by pinching and plucking them from the plant. These plants enjoy cool temperature as well as diffused bright light.

Orchid

These plants are known for their elegance and beauty. They are often thought of as difficult to care for but there are some simple guidelines to ensure success. Keep orchids in well-ventilated area with higher levels of humidity. Place your plant on a pebble tray to achieve optimal humidity levels. During the dormant period (in the winter), you should place your plant in a sunny spot and avoid watering at this time.