Plant Care Tips for a Healthy Plant Relationship
We all know the basics, plants live off water and sunshine, well, mostly. But sometimes your plant relationship needs a tad more attention. Yes we’re totally saying that you should be singing or playing music to your plant babes daily too; but we’ve also compiled some easy tips that will take you and your plant(s) to the next level… even without the serenading.
The Philodendron
This plant is easy to care for, can take some neglect and doesn’t need a lot of light, but there are a few things you can do to make them happier and healthier. Via trilliumlivingllc.com
Watering:
After watering, allow the top few inches of soil to dry before watering again.
Over watering iis one of the main reasons a Philodendron will have health problems.
It can cause the roots to rot and leaves to become yellow - keep an eye out for this.
Fungus gnats can also be a problem when Philodendrons are overwatered.
Light:
Bright, indirect light is ideal for all types of Philodendron.
However, they are incredibly adaptable to low-light rooms. This characteristic is part of their popularity with indoor gardeners.
Philodendron will tend to grow more slowly and the growth can be a bit more spindly in low-light environments.
Other Key Tips:
Vining Philodendron will benefit from being pruned. Trimming the vine will encourage new growth that is more compact.
As with any houseplant, remove discolored leaves with sharp pruners. Wear gloves as Philodendron sap can cause irritation and burning if it makes contact with your eyes or mouth.
Vining Philodendrons are easy to propagate by rooting stem cuttings in water.
Occasionally place Philodendron in a shower under room temperature water to remove dust and debris. This keeps the leaf pores clean and restores the glossy appearance.
All Philodendron are poisonous to pets and humans. Avoid keeping in homes in which they could be ingested.
The Snake Plant, aka Mother in-laws Tongue
This is another one of those plants that can be for just about anyone, even non-green thumpers’ The Snake Plant is very easy to grow in almost any environment. It could possibly be the easiest houseplant to grow according to most plant lovers.
Light:
Its adaptability makes it great for rooms with low, medium, or high light levels.
In low-light conditions, it will grow slowly- on the flip side, it will grow faster and flower more in brighter indirect light, it can handle both.
This is ideal for apartments, offices, dorms, or other small spaces.
Watering:
As a succulent with thick leaves that store water, snake plants can go longer between watering than a tropical plant can.
Overwatering is the main way to cause it to decline. So water when the pot feels light and most of the soil in the container is dry, but not hard and compacted.
Add water to the container until it drains through the holes. Repeat. Do this in your sink or bathtub. This will provide adequate moisture and promote deep root growth. Make sure to let the water drain out of the plant completely.
Other Key Tips:
The snake plant requires very little maintenance to keep it looking healthy and vibrant.
Over time as the plant grows, it may be necessary to divide the clump and repot it.
This is very easy as there are natural separations between the leaves to create natural dividing points. The root system is fleshy and thick. If needed, use a sharp knife or pruners to cut through the roots. Snake plants are hardy and resilient, so no worries about harming them during this process.
Since snake plants do not like to be wet, it is highly recommended to use containers with drainage holes and divide them to keep them happy and healthy.
Lastly, dusting your leaves or rinse them and wipe down when watering will allow your plant to thrive.
The Spider Plant
Just another variety that is a perfect choice for a beginning plant lover. A spider plant can bring so much life and cascading texture to a space with very low commitment. Via GetBusygardening.com
Watering:
Spider plants need consistent moisture, but don’t like to be overwatered. Rather than saturating the soil, water them more often with smaller amounts.
The type of water you use is important too. Spider plants are susceptible to tip burn (brown leaf tips) as a result of salt and chlorine buildup. To avoid this problem, don’t use city water on them. Instead, consider collecting rainwater, or use distilled water.
Try not to stress your plant by allowing it to dry out frequently. They can recover from short periods of drought just fine. But be consistent in your watering routine.
Light:
Like many indoor houseplants, spider plants prefer indirect sunlight. They will develop dull foliage and unattractive brown spots when given too much sun. So find a window or patio space that provides dappled sunlight.
They are low light houseplants, and grow best with 3-4 hours of indirect sunlight daily.
Spider plants do need adequate light in order to bloom and produce offshoots. So, if your plant won’t flower simply move it to a brighter location.
Other Key Tips:
With the proper care, spider plants will bloom almost all year round. The small white flowers develop at the ends of long arching stems. If the flowers are pollinated, they will produce seeds. Otherwise small plantlets (aka: babies, pups, or offshoots) will form once the flower fades. Although the flowers are not showy, they do add interest to the plant, especially once they start to form babies on the stems.
It’s common for spider plants to get brown leaf tips or margins. So, to keep yours looking its best, you can prune it regularly. Simply trim off any brown tips or edges using a Sharpe pair small sheers curt along the natural angle of the leaf for best results. You can also pinch or cut dead or yellowing leaves down to the base.
Since they are such fast growers, spider plants can become pot-bound very quickly. They can survive being root-bound for a long time. However, if left in the same pot for too long, their health will begin to decline, and the soil won’t retain any moisture. So many people make repotting a part of their regular spider plant care routine.
The Dieffenbachia, aka, Dumb Cane
We are a fan of setting you and your house plants up for success and this is another variety of plant that is very easy to maintain and keep happy. The Dieffenbachia comes in so many variety with a wide range of colors, leaf pattern and sizes. Lets dive in! Via GetBusyGardening.com
Watering:
Proper watering is a crucial part of dieffenbachia care, and consistent overwatering will definitely kill your plant. But don’t be scared, you can do this!
Just make sure you check the soil before watering by sticking your finger about an inch into the dirt. Allow the soil to dry out a bit between watering, but never let it get completely bone dry. So, once the soil no longer feels damp, then it’s time to water.
To water your dieffenbachia, give it a good soaking until the water starts to run out of the drainage holes. Then allow the excess to drain from the pot before putting it back on the plant tray. Never allow your plant to sit in water.
Light:
Dumb cane are perfect low light houseplants because they actually don’t like it when they get too much light, especially direct sunlight. Direct sun will cause their leaves to fade or burn.
On the flip side, if the room is too dark, they’ll quickly grow tall and leggy. A spot next to a sunny window, or where it gets filtered sun through a curtain would be perfect.
It also helps to rotate the plant once in a while so it doesn’t reach toward the window, it will start to grow in the direction of the light.
Other Key Tips:
You don’t need to worry about repotting your dumb cane very often, they really don’t need to be repotted until they become pot-bound. And never repot a sick or ailing plant to try to save it. Repotting puts a lot of stress on plants, and the transplant shock may end up killing weak or unhealthy plants.
So how do you know when to repot it then? One good indication that it’s time for repotting your dumb cane is if there are roots coming out of the bottom holes. Also, if there are more roots than soil in the container, or you find that you have to water it constantly to keep it from drooping. Then it’s probably time for a bigger pot.
To be sure, simply slide the plant out of the pot and take a look at the roots. If very little soil is left, or the roots are circling around the bottom of the container, then it’s time to repot it.
Only go up one or two sizes in pots, or the plant may have a difficult time becoming established in the new pot. For example, if you’re growing dieffenbachia in a 4″ pot, then choose a 6″ pot.
Another great thing about easy-to-grow indoor plants like dumb cane is that they can grow just fine without fertilizer. But, like any houseplant, a dumb cane will definitely benefit from a being fed.