Do you keep throwing away pots with sad and dead plants and are about to give up on indoor gardening altogether?
Well, don’t lose hope just yet. You can still enjoy the beauty of your flowers and plants all year round with just a little guidance and a touch of love.
Here is what to do if you want your home to be full of fresh and luscious green and colorful flora.
Picking the most suitable container is key
Plants have roots, which means that the size of the container or flower pot you choose is essential for their proper growth and development.
Tiny little pots may be cute and look great on your shelf, but they are not a good idea if you want the best for your flowers and plants. In fact, the smallest recommended size for a container for planting is about 6 inches in width and 6 inches in height. If you are restricted in space, you can choose a slightly narrower but longer pot which can house the plants of your choice without requiring so much space.
Make sure that the flower pot has at least one drainage hole. This is crucial because, with holes on the bottom, the water can flow through safely without damaging the roots of the plant.
If you don’t have a designated area at home you can always consider a grow tent as an option.
Use the right type of soil
Look for a local organic soil mix when you are choosing the right type for your indoor gardening. It is a good idea to choose a mix which includes bark or compost. A good soil mix is made to ensure sufficient fluffiness which will allow for the water to drain, and at the same time reach the roots of the plants to provide them with essential nutrients. Fluffy soil is also able to breathe which is another important factor for keeping your indoor plants alive and well.
Pay special attention to the light
All plants require light in order to live, grow and thrive. Some do quite well in shade, but complete darkness is out of the question. A rule of the thumb is that all edible plants need about 12 hours of direct sunlight. If you want to have your own home fresh herb garden but your kitchen doesn’t have too much light, you can still opt for planting mint, basil, scallions or arugula. These can grow fast even without too much direct sunlight.
Follow the rules for watering
Apart from sunlight, your plants need water in order to get all essential minerals to their roots. Water is also needed for photosynthesis and can act as a cooling factor for the plants as well. There are a few general rules for watering your indoor plants, which you need to follow strictly if you want to enjoy healthy and beautiful plants all year around.
Regular watering
Do not allow the soil in the pot to become completely dry. If this happens and you attempt to revive the plant by watering it, the water will remain on the surface of the soil and then drop down to the bottom through the sides of the pot, instead of carrying the minerals and nutrients to the roots.
If you are not sure whether you are watering your home plants enough you can perform a simple test by inserting your finger in the soil and getting a feel of it. If the soil feels damp, then you are ok. It should be neither too soggy nor too dry.
In case the soil feels dry, then proceed to water it.
Deep watering
Many home gardening beginners make a mistake of over-watering or under-watering their plants. In order to ensure that your plant is getting as much water as it needs, as you water it watch for water seeping out of the drainage holes. As soon as it starts seeping out, stop watering the plant. Then, empty the saucer to avoid damage to the roots.
If you water your indoor plant sparsely you risk having it develop a shallow root system, which leads to the weakening of the plant.
So, in order to make sure that your plant is getting enough water, water it deeply every other day rather than giving it a tiny sprinkle every day.
Avoid overwatering
If you overwater your plants the soil will become waterlogged which will derive the roots from oxygen. Such overwatering and waterlogging can cause rotting and decay of the roots and the death of your beloved plant.
In order to prevent this from happening, always check the soil for dryness before proceeding to water the plant. Also, ensure that the drainage hole allows for sufficient drainage of the excess water. If you are still worried about overwatering, you can check the bottom of the pots for moisture as well. If the drainage feels wet, wait for a couple of days before watering it again.
Water in accordance to the season
Keep in mind that as the seasons change so do the needs of your plants for water. The amount of direct sunlight, the temperatures and the size of the container are directly correlated to the amount of water your plant needs.
In the summer, the soil will dry faster so your plants will need more water, as compared to the colder seasons with less sunlight and warmth. Depending on where you have placed your home plants, they may even need watering twice a day in the hottest summer days. As for the pots placed in air-conditioned rooms, you may want to water them less, as their soil will take more time to dry out.
Water the plants in the best time of the day
The best and safest time to water your indoor plants is before the sun rises high and before it gets too warm. This will help the proper soaking and will lower the risk of the water actually evaporating before it reaches the roots.
Watering in the evening or before bed can cause dampness of the bottom of the pot and of the roots which can cause decay and damage too.
Choose “easy” indoor plants to begin with
In order to avoid the frustration of your houseplants dying off on you, it is advisable that you start your home gardening hobby with some of the less pretentious and easy to grow indoor plants such as succulents, cacti, pothos, snake plant, ivy, zz plant, jade plant or herbs.
Stay away from Orchids or other pretentious plants and flowers until you have gained the confidence and the experience to take care of more delicate and hard to grow plants.
In conclusion
As you can see, having an indoor garden and taking care of home plants is not such a difficult task. All you need to do is follow some simple rules, and give your plants the love they need and pretty soon you will enjoy the freshness, beauty and the satisfaction of having your own home-grown plants.
Having flowers and other plants at home will not only add to the style of your interior but will also bring happiness and a sense of joy to you and your family members.
