How to Grow Healthy House Plants

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By Barbara Raskauskas
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House Plant

Caring for indoor plants is almost as demanding as caring for outdoor plants. There’s watering, fertilizing and pruning to do on both fronts. Being a successful indoor gardener comes with knowing how much water and fertilizer and pruning is needed to grow healthy house plants, not to mention potting and knowing when it’s time to let a weary plant go.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Choose the right house plants. Just because a plant is sold by your local garden shop doesn’t mean that it is suitable for your home. Read the label. What light requirement does it have? What temperature requirements does it need? How tall will it grow? If you have a location in your home that meets the sun and temperature requirements, and you know that whatever height it reaches it will still fit (or you’d be willing to give the plant away), then you’ve passed the first step. Buy it!
Step 2

Reputable gardening shops will sell house plants in the correct pot size. If you will transfer the plant from the container it was in when you bought it to a new container, then go with a container the same size or slightly larger.
Step 3

Purchase potting soil that meets the demands of your plant. The descriptive label that came with the plant can help you with that decision. If the label says to keep the soil evenly moist, then a potting soil or mix that says it holds moisture should be used. At the opposite end of the spectrum, succulents will want soil that drains well. If in doubt, go with plain, unenhanced potting soil. You could also check with your county extension office. Many times, Master Gardeners can help with your gardening questions.
Step 4

Mulch your house plants, if desired, using a thin layer of sphagnum moss. It provides a decorative appearance to your potted plants and can help to retain moisture.
Step 5

House plants can live without fertilizer. Popular brands, like MiracleGro, will add nutrients that can make your house plants grow fuller, so there are advantages in using fertilizer. Plant fertilizers come in many forms including liquid and powder that you mix with water, and pellets that you add to the soil for time release feeding. The pellets are easier to work with, but cost more. The powders must be kept dry and free from exposure to humidity because the powder will absorb moisture. Liquid fertilizers can be the easiest for beginning indoor gardeners.
Step 6

For the casual house plant grower, remembering to water the plant is the most difficult part of ownership. Set a weekly schedule for watering, like “Wednesday means water.” The pot of your house plant will have drain holes to allow excess water out. When watering, as soon as the water starts coming out the holes, you can stop the flow of water. Overall, you should test the soil’s moistness periodically by pushing your finger about an inch into the soil close to the base stem of the plant. If you feel moistness, then the plant does not need water. Obtaining a moisture gauge can also help you decide if the plant needs watering. A gauge is particularly helpful when caring for house plants that are supposed to be completely dry between waterings. It’s important to remember that a plant’s watering needs will fluctuate based on the amount of sun and humidity levels.

Comments

beautyqueen26 said

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on 9/23/2009 Miracle Grow is amazing! Can't live without it. I've always dreamed of having healthy house plants. Now I know. Thanks again. Five stars and a recommendation.

vincesummers said

on 8/18/2009 I like Miracle Gro or Peter's Soluble - either. I like to grow African Violets. They aren't so hard, but demand consistency. Thanks, Barbara.