Plant Care 101: How to Keep Your Houseplants Alive

Seeing as your houseplants didn’t set themselves up inside by choice, they’re going to take  some attention to keep alive. Of course, every plant is unique and requires specific care, but here’s our general two cents on keeping your green friends green. This is Plant Care 101: How to Keep Your Houseplants Alive. 

How to Water Your Plants: 

There are no hard and fast rules on watering. But it’s certainly of no help to your houseplant if it runs outside the rootball. Watering slowly applies less pressure and allows it time to seep into the root zone.  

Don’t water the leaves, water the soil. Your plants will thank you. Having a watering can where you can aim the  spout directly at the soil makes this easy. It also helps you ensure you’ve covered the entire plant and not over-watered one spot.  

How Often to Water Your Plants: 

The frequency of watering greatly varies, as all kinds of plants have different needs. But it’s  good to pay attention to how the soil feels. Doing so day after day will help you recognize  patterns with your plant, and when it should or should not be watered. 

Replicate the Environment: 

Ultimately, your goal is to replicate the environment they’d like to be living in. This means  paying attention to the humidity and temperature in different parts of your home when  deciding where your plant will thrive. Most of your houseplants would likely enjoy the view of an East-facing window, where they’ll soak in that gorgeous morning sunshine.  

BONUS Tips:

From time to time, dust them, bathe them, keep them clean. It gives the leaves room to  breathe and significantly enhances the aesthetic of a houseplant.  

Keep in mind the size of your pot almost always impacts the size of your plants. Most  houseplants will cap once their root system hits a certain size. So be sure your plant’s home  grows with it, rather than holding it back. If your plant is top-heavy or stopped growing, it  might be time for a new place.  

You’ll find what plants like you and which don’t. But here’s where we think you should start: