Sun, Oct 25, 2020 8:45 AM

Hacks, and hints for healthy houseplants

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Staff reporter

Having an indoor plant does more than make you feel like you’ve got this whole adulting thing down. When you introduce plants to your life it can have a positive impact on your mental health, create a relaxed atmosphere and help improve air quality.

Choosing your pots

Your pot shouldn’t be much bigger than the pot the plant comes in. A pot that is too large can increase the chance of root rot from holding more water than what the plant needs.

Find a pot that ideally comes with a matching saucer, has drainage holes and is light enough to carry. Re-pot when the plant becomes root-bound, looks too big for the pot or starts yellowing (due to lack of food in the soil.)

Location

It is best to choose your location and then find a plant to suit. Bright light, but not direct sunlight, and a constant temperature are the best conditions.

Your plant label will provide the best guide for where to place your plant for a long happy life. Don’t put them up high where they will get direct sunlight through the glass. This may cause an early death sentence.

Position the plant further back from the window to protect it from harsh light and wilting. Avoid putting warmth-loving plants in your bathroom. Although it is humid while you’re in there showering, an hour or so later the room will be cold and damp.

Watering

Just like outdoor plants, indoor plants need regular TLC, but often die when they receive too much attention! It is best to water with a small amount, often.

Check your plants weekly by pushing your finger down the side of the pot into the mix. If it feels dry or the plant is wilting then it needs watering.

Read the label to see whether your plants are best kept moist or if they prefer to dry out between waterings.

Keep leaves clean by wiping occasionally with a soft damp cloth.

Feeding

Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your plants remain healthy.

But, like humans, all plants needs are different, and it is best to check specific plant instructions for instructions on how to keep your greenery friends alive.

New, or recently re-potted plants should not be fed with fertiliser until after a couple of months as it can burn their roots.

If you’re looking to get started on your journey to plant enlightenment, it’s hard to know where to begin, so here’s a list to consider when starting your plant family: Aloe Vera, Rubber Tree, Dracaena, Pothos, Monstera Delicioa, String of Pearls, Swiss Cheese Plants and Fiddle Leaf Fig are all trendy houseplants that are also hard to kill (bonus).

Or if you’d like a plant that flowers, try: African Violet, Moth Orchid or a Peace Lily. Once you get them going, they’re easy growing and your house will be looking like an indoor jungle in no time.

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