Indoor plants definitely need a different type of caring as compared to outdoor plants. Indoor plants have specific needs that need to be observed in order for them to grow healthy.
It is important to follow the instructions for their care so they do not die due to lack of water, sunlight, or the right temperature.
Implement the following tips to ensure your indoor plants stay healthy and live longer.
Provide plants with room to grow.
Plants, like human beings, grow. Therefore, you cannot confine or restrict them to a small space that they will eventually outgrow. Roots, in particular, grow in length and expand to different areas. If they become too crowded, it could lead to a stunted plant growth.
Branches also expand so leaves could grow. Leaves are essential in creating food.
Provide plants with the right temperature.
Know your plants. Learn about the environment where they thrive so you can cultivate their environment to match their required temperature.
Remember that plants are like people – some of them thrive on warmer weather, some on cold weather. Providing them with the right room temperature will make them feel at home and allow them to grow properly.
Give plants sufficient sunlight.
Indoor plants love sunlight. It makes them alive and healthy. Note that the south or the west part of the house gets the best sunlight, so place your plants on windows near these directions. Plants would usually require 14 to 16 hours of sunlight in a day so placing them at a spot that is most exposed to light is beneficial for them.
Water your plants properly.
Plants need sufficient water – not too little, not too much. Different plants require different amounts of water so you must know your plants well. Remember that too much water or its absence can kill a plant.
Giving plants sufficient water will make sure they are able to supply themselves with the nutrients they need.
Feel the soil on a regular basis to gauge its water content. If dryness has occurred in an inch on top of the soil, it’s time to water it.
When watering, water generously until the excess drains from the pot holes. This ensures all roots receive sufficient water.
Give plants fertilizer.
You have to exercise caution when using fertilizers on plants. Be also mindful of plants that do not need them.
If you’re not sure of the amount and the type of fertilizer you need to use on each plant, consult a horticulturist, he is your best source of information for plant care.
Fertilizers provide plants with three important nutrients, namely:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorous
- Potassium
These nutrients work together to give plant leaves their dark green color, make flowers bloom, and the plant to grow abundantly.
Allow plants to grow in their own time.
Plants have different time lengths for growth – some grow fast in a very short time span, while others take months or years to reach their full maturity. Know their growth times so you do not end up expecting plants to grow and bear fruit at a time when they’re not yet ready.
