Things You'll Need:
- 8 1/2 x 11 sheet white paper
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Step 1
Determine the lighting needs of your particular plant. Light is measured in foot candles, which simply means the amount of light that would be cast from a candle at the distance of one foot. Light requirements are generally listed as low, medium, or high on the plant identification tag. It is easier to choose a plant whose light requirements are a good match with the location you wish to display it in than it is to alter the light in the area. You don't need to be a scientist to calculate a rough estimate of the amount of light in a particular area and you don't need a light meter either; although, if you have one you should certainly take advantage of this handy tool. With a piece of white paper and few easy steps, you can determine the light in foot candles near any window.
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Step 2
Place a piece of white paper in the location you wish to position your houseplant. Don't make the mistake of assuming any position near this spot will have the same results. A few inches can make a big difference in the amount of light a plant receives.
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Step 3
Hold your hand 12 inches from the paper, between the light source and the paper. Observe the density of the shadow created by your hand. A sharply defined shadow that has clear edges and provides a nice dark shadow indicates the area is in a high light source. Shadows with fuzzy edges and less density indicate medium light. Faint loosely defined shadows will be cast in areas of low light. Non-existent shadows or faint blobs of gray are most certainly very low in light intensity.
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Step 4
Keep in mind that the light intensity will vary throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. Taking several measurements at different times of the day will give you a more accurate representation of the light level in a particular location.
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Step 5
Experiment with plant locations. If you have your heart set on a lush plant on your desk, but the light conditions do not match the plant's requirements, try several locations on your desk. Moving a plant as little as 8 inches may make a huge difference in the intensity of the light.
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Step 1
Determine the watering needs of your plants. This is generally indicated on the plant identification tag. If it is not, seek the assistance of workers in the greenhouse or nursery to determine the watering needs of your plant. See the resource section for more specific information on needs of particular plants.
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Step 2
Observe the qualities of your plant. Most plants require moist soil that is not allowed to dry out between waterings. This supplies the plant with constant water to maintain healthy growth. Allowing these plants to dry out between waterings will stunt growth and may cause leaf drop.
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Step 3
Make sure you know which plants require drying and which do not. Some plants actually thrive when they are allowed to dry completely between waterings.
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Step 4
Keep in mind that plants that are located in high density light will generally require more frequent watering. The exception, of course, are those plants that thrive in hot dry conditions; such as, cactus and other desert plants.
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Step 5
Remember during periods of active growth, plants will require more water.
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Step 1
Determine the needs of your particular plant in terms of adding nutrients to the soil. Nearly any houseplant will benefit from a feeding of water soluble plant food, but their needs are not all the same.
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Step 2
Purchase quality plant food that is designed for your particular plant. Plant food is available in varying strengths for specific kinds of plants. Always check the label to determine if the plant food is right for the type of plant you are growing.
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Step 3
Follow the directions from the manufacturer of the fertilizer you purchase. This is one time when more isn't necessarily better. It is better to feed you plants a weaker solution at more frequent intervals than to feed it with a higher strength solution.
