Indoor Plant Care Tips
With winter now here, this is an excellent time to focus on our indoor plants and what we need to do to keep them in their best health. There are so many different varieties of indoor plants, and some have different care instructions. What one plant needs for watering, could be too much for another plant. You also want to make sure that a plant is in the proper size pot and is getting the right amount of light it needs. So until we can get back to our outdoor gardens, let's focus on the ones we have indoors!
When to Repot
So, how do you know if a plant should be repotted, or if some plants like being crowded in their pots? Doing research on the type of plant you have is the best way to know what it needs in terms of care. Some of the telltale signs a plant needs a new pot to flourish are if the plant’s growth is stunted, if the roots are growing out of the drainage hole, or if the soil is drying out faster than usual. Though spring is the best time to repot a plant as it comes out of dormancy, if it is obviously needed, do so in a warm environment and be sure to be gentle while handling the plant, and don’t overwater after moving it into its new pot. You will only need to go up one size for a new pot and choose one that has proper drainage. Make sure you use the right soil for your plant. Succulents like a more sandy soil, while most house plants do fine with a general potting mix. Once you have the plant removed from its old pot, carefully check over the roots to make sure the plant is healthy, and if the roots have started to clump, gently pull them apart a little to help them spread out. Put into the new pot and make sure to leave about an inch of space to the top of the pot to allow room for watering. Most soil mixes will have fertilizer in the soil mixture, so no need to fertilize for a while. Plants like Aleo vera and Pathos do like to be crowded in their pots, so they may not need to be repotted for a long time.
Dividing or Propagating Plants
Propagating cuttings from plants or dividing them can help the main plant promote fresh growth as it helps focus energy back into the main plant. Chlorophytum comosum, better known as spider plant, produce runners with a “spiderette” that can be either put into soil while still attached to the mother plant and later cut from once roots are established, or cut the spiderette and plant directly into soil to start another plant. Other types like Epipremnum aureum, aka pothos, can be grown from cuttings for the mother plant. To do this, choose a healthy stem with at least 3 leaves on it and cut about an inch below the last leaf at a 45° angle. Once cut, remove the bottom leaf. You can either place the cutting in water and allow it to root for a couple of weeks before planting, or plant it directly into the soil. Make sure the tools you use to do this are clean to keep the plant healthy. Other plants may just need to be divided instead of repotted. Plants like Dracaena trifasciata, aka snake plant, are great, low-maintenance plants that do well divided to make more room for the mother plant and to be able to start a new plant. If you are running out of room for new plants in your own home, this makes a great gift to give others.
General Care
Typically, watering once a week should be enough for indoor plants, but some plants like to dry out between watering. You’ll want to do your research on the plant species to find out the best amount needed. Plants like succulents may only need watering once every other week, and only once a month in the winter months. This also depends on the humidity or dryness of your house. Lighting is also an essential factor, as some plants prefer direct light, and others indirect light and do well in low light. Another tip that often gets overlooked is to remove the dust from the leaves of your plant. A layer of dust can prevent a plant from properly absorbing light and its ability to photosynthesize, which is a way they can create their own food, and can cause them to not give off as much oxygen. If plants are kept healthy, they can become more resistant to plant disease and pests. To learn more about those, make sure to read next month’s blog where we will go over how to handle and avoid disease and pests!
