How to Have House Plants
Houseplants can provide splashes of vibrant color throughout your home -- and they quietly remove carbon dioxide and replace it with fresh oxygen. There are several other reasons people wish to keep houseplants, but one thing remains constant: if you want to keep houseplants, you will need to water and even occasionally feed them. They may require trimming, pruning or other types of care as well. Houseplants that are not properly cared for will eventually wither and die. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select houseplants that require the level of care you are willing to give them and that will accent the decor and style in your home. Different houseplants require different levels of care. For example, cacti require far less water, care and attention than orchids. Many nurseries and home improvement warehouses are staffed by plant experts who can guide you toward buying the right plants for your lifestyle.
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Transport your houseplants inside a car. Do not put them in a trunk, truck bed or other location where they might tip over or be exposed to the elements. If possible, have someone hold your new house plants during transportation.
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Place your house plants in strategic locations around your home. Some plants, like the spider plant, need bright but indirect sunlight; others, like the mother-in-law's tongue, can thrive in direct sunlight. If you have pets or small children, consider the possible consequences of placing house plants within their reach.
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Water your houseplants according to their needs, usually when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Some, like the heartleaf philodendron, are drought-tolerant, which means they won't die right away from lack of water if you forget to provide it. Every plant is different -- and some require daily watering or they will die. However, over watering is the most common reason plants develop disease or die.
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Fertilize your houseplants occasionally. Each species of plant requires a different amount of fertilization, and some plants require different fertilizers. Plants that grow sickly looking leaves, or those that are supposed to produce flowers but do not, may need fertilizer. Read the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions before applying fertilizer to your house plants to determine the appropriate amount and frequency.
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Remove dead or dying foliage by clipping it with scissors as soon as you notice it. Dying foliage can suck valuable resources from the plant as it tries to revive itself -- and those resources could often be better spent producing blossoms or new growth.
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Tips & Warnings
Get to know your house plants so you can provide the care they need to thrive.
Do not fertilize plants that are infested with insects or may be suffering from root rot or other diseases.
Do not let plants sit in saucers of water.
References
Resources
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