Adding plants to an indoor space can really add character, colour and depth to a home. Even if you’ve only got a passing interest in plants and gardening, it is still possible for you to successfully keep some plants in your home; you just need to know how to care for them, which isn’t that difficult.
In this video, a gardening expert explains the single most common reason why house plants fail.
Other Reasons Your Plants Fail:
1. Lack of humidity – plants don’t just need watering to the soil, they also like getting water spritzed to their leaves. Buy a cheap water spritzer and spray a couple of times a week depending on the type of plant.
2. Failure to read the plant care instructions – all plants will come with some detail on how to care for them…read it and ensure to follow the guidelines.
3. Lack of drainage – it’s a good idea to base your pot with a layer of stones or pebbles so that water has somewhere to go. Over-watering is one thing but if the water collects at the base, the danger is that it will assist in rotting the plant roots.
4. Change of environment – plants can actually suffer shock if you change their environment too much especially if it’s from one extreme temperature to another like a warm conservatory to a cooler living room. Try to keep them to a more permanent home to allow them to acclimatise to their environment.
Plants look great but it can be disheartening if they continually die on you. These choices below are sure to reignite your desire for plant growing.
1. Aloe Vera
The Aloe Vera plant is a smaller version of the bigger Aloe plant. It has variegated leaves that grow from its centre base. Aloe can be kept in a pot in the kitchen near a window for everyday use. The juice from its leaves will relieve pain from scrapes and burns.
Caring for this plant:
? Water aloe well but then allow the soil to dry at least 1 to 2 inches deep between watering. Test by sticking your finger into the soil closest to the pot rim.
? Over watering could encourage root rot; note that it’s important to water even less in winter.
2. Jade Plant
A jade plant offers thick, lush leaves and interesting looking branches which look great in a living space small or large. It grows slowly and has the potential to live a long life.
Caring for this plant:
? Jade plant does not require a lot of water, so keep soil quite dry.
? It prefers to receive natural light and prefers ordinary room temperatures.
These plants will give you joy when they flower and will create a talking point for visitors as you all take pleasure in their beauty.
1. Hibiscus
The Hibiscus forms large colourful blooms, which grow to up to 8 inches in diameter, on an upright plant that you can train to grow as a tree. Plants bloom freely from late spring through autumn and sometimes through winter.
Caring for this plant:
? Keep the soil moist all over.
? Give it as much indoor light as possible to keep it blooming.
2. Oxalis
Oxalis bears triangular, clover-like purple leaves and an almost constant show of pink or white blooms. Other varieties come in plain green foliage with or without silver accents.
Caring for this plant:
? It thrives in medium to bright light.
? Keep soil evenly moist.
Just because you might be limited on space, it doesn’t mean that you have to forego things like having plants. You just need to purchase plants that won’t take over the space.
1. Air Plants
There are actually more than 650 varieties of air plants available and they have the ability to thrive even without soil! Many air plants grow with attractive strap-shape or slender triangle-shape leaves, and the majority have attractive tubular or funnel-shape flowers.
Caring for this plant:
? From late spring to mid-autumn, spritz the plant daily with water. In winter, mist only once or twice a week.
? Keep in an airy, warm area out of direct sunlight.
2. Cactus
Cacti come in many shapes, colours and sizes but the smaller variety are wonderful if you’re stuck on space. They’re also really easy to care for so it’s a win-win situation.
Caring for this plant:
? Place the cactus in front of a window where they will get plenty of sunlight.
? Don’t repeat water until the previous watering has completely dried out.
For the office, you probably want some plants that will uplift the mood but which also require very little maintenance. Here are the best options:
1. Spider Plant
This plant sports vibrant green and white stripes and once the plant grows, long stems with smaller spider plant clumps appear at the end.
Caring for this plant:
? During growth, the plant will need more regular watering but once mature, occasional watering only is required.
? Don’t let the soil dry out.
2. Rubber Plant
This plant can grow to heights of up to 50 feet but require little care and can use up vacant, boring and open space in an office so is a good option, especially where ceiling height is high.
Caring for this plant:
? The plant needs bright light but prefers indirect light that isn’t too hot.
? Its soil needs to be kept moist but overwatering will kill it so check the soil at the outer edge and only water if it’s dry.
? It is also a good idea to spritz the leaves with water.
