Here’s How to Care for Your Houseplants

Houseplants can add a wonderful touch to your home’s décor. They add life to your space, giving it a natural ambience that says the house is lived in as well as loved. There are also health benefits to living with plants. They clean the indoor air by producing oxygen, increasing natural humidity, and absorbing toxins. Houseplants are even known to improve your mood and help reduce stress and fatigue. Here are some tips on creating a plant-enhanced home.

Optimal Plant Lighting

Light is the most important contributor to successful plant growth. Before choosing your indoor plants, spend a little time checking the light sources in your home. Note the direction of the natural light entering the house. Do your windows face mostly south, east, west, or north? You should also consider where the artificial light sources in your home are located. Here’s some pointers to help with your planning: 

• In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day but the rays shouldn’t hit leaves directly 

• West-facing windows are good but care should be taken that the sun isn’t too bright 

• East-facing windows are good for plants that thrive in indirect light 

• North-facing windows rarely pull in enough light for even low light indoor plants: they will need to be supplemented with artificial light

Proper Plant Placement

Where you put your houseplants can affect their health, so it isn’t wise to simply place them where they look good.

• The best temperature range for indoor plants is between 21°C and 26°C in the daytime and 18°C to 21°C overnight 

• Check the particular needs of each plant – some will prefer bright sun for most of the day and others will be better suited to lower light levels 

• Some plants tolerate artificial light better than others 

• Most plants prefer places with good air flow, but avoid placing them beside fans or over air vents

Best Plants for Indoors

Certain plants do better than others indoors. These are usually the easy-care, hardy plants. Here are a few of the best indoor plants to consider: 

• Dracaena Gold Star: A great choice for a tall floor plant: it’s low maintenance, adaptable to high and low light and resembles a small tree. 

• Aloe Vera: Works well on a dresser or small table, its long, fleshy leaves are attractive, and you can use the inside gel for skincare. 

• Philodendron: Thrives in sunny spots so is great for south-facing windows. 

• Peace Lily: A fulsome plant that produces pretty white blooms but keep the soil moist (not wet) for an optimal display. 

• Snake Plant: Requires minimal care and will usually do just fine if you forget to water it. 

• Rubber Tree: Ideal for a modern decor with bright light as it needs a wide space to breathe. 

• Monstera Deliciosa: All it really needs is a little water every couple of weeks. 

• Other Great Choices: Spider Plant, Peperomia, Zz plant, Pothos and ferns.

Best Flowers for Indoors

You can add some colour to your home by bringing in a few indoor flowers. There are several varieties that will thrive, reflowering every year, and some that may bloom once and never again. Here’s some flowers to try your hand at: 

• Phalaenopsis Orchids: Extremely popular and easily found in garden centres and grocery stores, they like indirect sunlight and grow well in potting material containing bark chips and charcoal. 

• Poinsettias: Look for plants that have small yellow flowers in the middle, but not ones that are shedding their pollen. Remove any foil covering the plastic pot so it can drain. Water when the soil feels dry but don’t let it sit in water. 

• Christmas Cactus: They often bloom more than once in the wintertime, and the flowers come in intense shades of red, pink, and white. They are very forgiving and able to withstand less than optimal care. 

• Other Great Choices: Kalanchoe, Anthurium, Amaryllis, Flowering Maple, Hibiscus and African Violet.

Plant & Flower Kits

An easy way to begin growing houseplants is to buy a plant or flower kit. These usually include a pot with appropriate soil, and a bulb that will grow into a beautiful flower if you follow the instructions. Amaryllis, Calla Lily and Hyacinth are good starter plants.

Indoor Planters & Pots

Mature plants intended for indoors usually come in a plastic pot. Choosing ceramic, clay or other decorative pots to house the plastic pot allows you to match or highlight your home décor. Remember to remove the potted plant from its outer pot when you water.

Watering Routine

The same watering routine doesn’t work for all houseplants. Make a point of reading up on the needs of each plant you’ve chosen. Here are some general tips for watering:

• Use a watering can with a thin nozzle to water at the base of your plants vs. the leaves 

• Use water at a medium cool temperature to avoid shocking the plants 

• Only water a plant when it needs it 

• Use a moisture meter to help determine if your plants need watering 

• Soak the soil thoroughly 

• Don’t let your plants sit in drained water

Indoor Soils & Fertilizers

The soil or medium your potted plants came with will be fine for a while. However, over time it will lose mass and fertilization properties. You can find appropriate soils, growing mediums and fertilizers for every indoor plant you own, and replant as needed.

Air-Purifying Plants

Although plants are known to purify the air, some do a better job than others. Some of the best are:

• Chrysanthemum 

• Spider Plants 

• Dracaena 

• Ficus 

• Peace Lily 

• Boston Fern

Plants to Avoid if You Have Pets

Many cats and some dogs will chew on houseplants. Ensure that you have only pet safe plants. Known toxic plants include:

• Aloe Vera 

• Amaryllis 

• Autumn Crocus 

• Azaleas 

• Rhododendrons 

• Castor Bean 

• Mums 

• Daisies 

• Cyclamen 

• Daffodils

Pesky Pests

Be on the lookout for plant pests, especially on recently introduced houseplants. Signals can include leaf colour changes, spots, shrivelled leaves, webbing or sticky residue. A wide range of insect control solutions are available, but make sure you choose one suitable for indoor use.

Winter Houseplant Tips

The needs of houseplants change in the cold season. Many go into a kind of hibernation where they require less water. Winter overwatering can cause plant rot and even disease. Check if the soil is moist about one inch down before adding more. Many healthy plants also don’t require fertilizer over the winter either.

Nurturing indoor plants can have a positive effect on your home, your lifestyle, and even your health. It’s also a great way to work your green thumb skills while patiently waiting for the spring planting season.