How to Keep Your Indoor Plants Alive

Indoor plants are a great addition to every home. Apart from making your home beautiful, they help in cleaning the air as well. If you have difficulty keeping your plants alive, knowing how to care for them and some experience will be a good step towards keeping your indoor plants healthy.

 

Keeping indoor plants is an acquired skill, and like many others, it is possible to learn proper care. The rules of caring for plants are similar, whether for garden projects or indoor projects. Some factors may differ depending on variables such as location. The following are some valuable tips that will help you to keep your indoor plants alive and healthy.

 

1.Use quality potting soil

 

If you have bought a houseplant and want to re-pot it from the container you purchased it with, it is essential to also think about the quality of soil you will use in the new pot. Scooping any dirt from your backyard won’t serve you well in the long run. A better option is to buy a bag of soil, depending on the type of plant you have. These bags typically contain a mixture of soil, fertilizers, and nutrients necessary for healthy growth.

 

2.Use the right pot

 

Drainage is vital for any plant. The container you use should have holes at the bottom so that excess water can drain out of the soil onto the tray underneath. If your pot doesn’t have a way for water to drain out, all the excess water remains trapped within the soil. If the plant is unable to take up any more water, it will “drown.” In case your plant looks limp or wilted and the soil is damp, there are high chances that it is experiencing drainage issues.

 

Additionally, your plants need adequate space to grow. If the roots have no room to stretch out, your indoor plant will end up being top-heavy. Henceforth, the roots may be incapable of supporting the foliage, which will cause the plant to wither and eventually die. The right pot will ensure that your root system has adequate expansion space and that your plant has proper drainage.

 

3.Water your plants

 

Watering can be challenging, primarily if you have never cared for plants before. If you overwater your plants, they will drown and die. On the other hand, inadequate water will cause them to dry and die. It is therefore essential to find the right balance when watering. Some plants prefer to live in moist soils, but most thrive when the soil is relatively dry in between watering.

 

An easy tip to know if your plants need water is to feel the dirt at the edge of the pot. If it feels dry and crumbly, it might need some water. If, on the other hand, it feels damp, then it might not be necessary to water them immediately. When watering your plants, ensure that you do it till the soil no longer absorbs water. Once you notice a pool of water forming at the top of the pot, it is time to stop.

 

Other factors that will ensure that your plants are doing well include getting suitable fertilizers and ensuring that they get enough sunlight. Every plant is unique and has different requirements to thrive. These general tips will, however, be instrumental in helping you keep your plants healthy.