Keeping houseplants is one of the best ways to bring a little nature into our homes and make them more cozy. That being said, taking care of plants can be intimidating if you don't know the basics. But fear not, we're here to help!
With the right tools, you can create a thriving indoor garden that adds beauty and health benefits to your home.
Indoor Plant Fertilizer
Knowing which type of fertilizer to choose and when to apply it can be tricky. The first step is understanding the importance of fertilizing your plants. Fertilizer helps provide essential nutrients to the soil, which power a plant's growth. Without these nutrients, your plants will not thrive, and could die.
So how do you choose the right fertilizer? You'll want to consider the type of plants you have and the kind of fertilizer you want to use. Organic fertilizers are typically made from natural elements like fish meal and kelp, while synthetic fertilizers are chemical-based. Organic fertilizers are a great option for those looking to go green! They are considered safer alternatives to chemical fertilizers (Shaji et al., 2021).
And when it comes to application, liquid fertilizer is usually easier to apply but granular requires less frequent applications. A simple practice is to mix fertilizer into the soil, add a thin layer on top of the soil, or spritz plants with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks to feed the plants.
Indoor Plant Tools
Tools are essential for properly caring for your indoor plants. Pruning shears are great for trimming back foliage that is overcrowding other parts of the plant, while a trowel can be used to loosen soil and add fertilizer to the root zone. Other tools such as watering cans and plant stands can help you keep your plants healthy and looking their best.
It's important to choose the right tools for the type of plants you have. Consider not just the size and shape of your houseplants, but also the location in which they are kept; certain tools may be better suited for sun-filled spaces than those with little sunlight. Additionally, investing in quality materials is key.
Stakes
Sometimes, houseplants need a little extra help. Stakes or poles help stabilize houseplants, offering support while they grow and develop. Choose houseplant poles that mimic a plant’s natural form and attach them to the stems of houseplants for added support.
Watering Can
Look for watering cans with long, thin spouts designed to reach houseplants in the back of shelves and corners.
Plant Mister
Another simple way to promote humidity and plant health is by investing in a houseplant mister. It’s great for houseplants that require more humidity, such as orchids, ferns, and palms. The mister sprays an even mist of water that helps keep houseplants hydrated.
Potting and Repotting
When potting and repotting, choose containers with drainage holes and use quality soil. Planting in larger containers can help prevent overcrowding of roots, which in turn will help plants stay healthy and vigorous.
Pots
Select pots that are made from materials such as terra-cotta, wooden, or Kanso stone planters. Make sure plants receive enough water and pots don’t become waterlogged. If you're looking to save on water and fertilizer expenses, square or rectangular pots are the more economical choice than round ones. Round pots have less planting surface area.
Soil
Not just any soil will do for plants! The ideal soil texture is achieved when it has a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay. And with the right soil mixture, houseplants can thrive. Select well-draining soil that plants can easily grow in.
Mulch
Whenever plants go outside, mulch can help protect them from the elements, especially when you use sandy soil. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps plants cooler in hot weather. It should include diverse solid residues, such as wood fiber, coconut fiber or coir, rice hull, manure, peat, soil wrap, and straw (Tomadoni et al., 2020).
Indoor Plant Maintenance
With the right tools and knowledge, maintaining indoor plants can be a breeze. Start by doing simple diagnostics. Check for signs of pests, check leaves for wilting, or give plants a good shake to see if any bugs come tumbling out. If pests are found, use natural methods of pest control such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Regularly check the soil moisture level and adjust watering frequency as needed. Prune regularly to keep plants looking neat and tidy, remove dead foliage, and repot when the roots are overcrowded.
Finally, make sure to give your plants plenty of love and attention! Provide adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer.
Fungicide
Powdery mildew? Leaf spot? Fungal diseases can wreak havoc on plants if not treated quickly. Select fungicides that are specific to the plant’s need and apply them according to the directions on the label.
If you are considering bioproducts, jojoba oil, rosemary oil, thyme oil, and neem oil were shown to be effective fungicides (Santra & Banerjee, 2020).
Pruning
The healthiest form of pruning for your plants is to trim less, but do it more regularly. Use shears when cutting tough stems and branches and scissors for delicate plants.
Final Thoughts
Houseplant supplies such as mulch, neem oil, sticky stakes, fungicide, a watering can, mister, and pots are essential for houseplants to thrive. The right soil mixture is also key for healthy plants; it should contain compost, peat moss, and perlite. Lastly, shears and trimmers help keep plants looking their best by removing dead leaves or flowers. With the proper houseplant supplies in hand – along with regular maintenance – you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving home garden!
References:
Santra, H. K., & Banerjee, D. (2020). Natural products as fungicide and their role in crop protection. Natural Bioactive Products in Sustainable Agriculture, 131–219. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3024-1_9
Shaji, H., Chandran, V. & Matther, L. (2021). Organic fertilizers as a route to controlled release of nutrients. Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819555-0.00013-3
Tomadoni, B., Merino, D., Casalongué, C., & Alvarez, V. (2020). Biodegradable materials for planting pots. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340478718_Biodegradable_Materials_for_Planting_Pots
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