All it takes for your houseplants to thrive is a little attention and care!
WATER
By far, the biggest culprit of houseplant death is over-watering. As Conor likes to say, it is possible to love something to death. While you do need to check your plants regularly for water, it’s not always necessary to water them. Let the top inch or two of soil become dry before watering. If you’re unsure whether your soil is dry enough to water, always err on the side of caution and give your plants a few extra days before checking again.
When you do water, be sure to completely soak the soil. A quick splash from the watering can usually won’t hydrate the soil properly. Water may run off the soil and pool in the saucer, which will then be soaked up by roots and soil after an hour or two. Give it another soak until no more water is absorbed, then empty the saucer to ensure your plant isn’t sitting in stagnant water—this can lead to root rot and plant death.
When in doubt, stick your finger into the soil to see if the water has been properly absorbed. If the soil is still dry, continue slowly applying water until it’s rehydrated.
The material of your plant’s pot also affects soil moisture levels. Porous materials like unglazed terracotta allow water to evaporate more quickly, while glazed ceramics and plastics retain more moisture.
LIGHT
While plants love natural light, direct sunlight can burn leaves. Keep your houseplant out of harsh, direct sunlight.
Your plant may not thrive in lower light conditions, but many houseplants will tolerate low light.
If you notice significantly slowed growth or pale leaves, low light may be the issue.
FERTILIZER
Houseplants need nutrients since they eventually deplete the nutrients in their pots. It’s a good idea to fertilize monthly with a product like Maxsea or DTE Houseplant Fertilizer. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as too much can harm the plant. Plants can become “leggy,” with long spaces between leaf nodes, indicating nutrient deficiency, as can small leaves and yellowed foliage.
TRELLISING
Vining plants like pothos, monsteras, and philodendrons, among others, will cascade down tall shelves and across floors if allowed to grow without support. Trellising is largely an aesthetic choice, but these long vines can be attached to moss poles, bamboo poles, or railings. We recommend Quik Grips Plant Ties for securing vines instead of garden twine. Quik Grips are wider and softer, which helps prevent strangling or damaging the vines.
PESTS
Common houseplant pests include fungus gnats, mealybugs, and thrips. Act quickly at the first sign of pests. If you notice anything unusual on your plant, try to identify the pest, quarantine the plant from other houseplants, and treat it.
For sucking insects (mealybugs, thrips, aphids), wash the leaves and stems thoroughly under running water to remove as many bugs and eggs as possible. There are several options for sprays to kill and prevent sucking insects. Our favorite is neem oil; apply it according to the directions and repeat regularly until the plant is free of pests. Once pest-free, the plant no longer needs to be separated from others.
Fungus gnats are incredibly common and simple to eradicate. We recommend two highly effective treatments: mosquito dunks, which can be crumbled and top-dressed onto houseplant soil or soaked in water and applied during watering; and horticultural sand, which is also effective when applied as a 1/4-1/2" soil top-dress. The sand creates a barrier that prevents gnats from laying eggs. Sticky traps can also help control adult populations and prevent eggs.
REPOTTING
Repotting should be done sparingly and only when the plant’s growth has slowed or shown signs of being root-bound. If your plant is struggling and you’ve ruled out watering and light issues, it may be a good idea to up-pot with fresh soil. Choose a pot only an inch or two larger than the current one. Putting a small plant in a large pot can lead to root rot, as there won’t be enough roots to absorb the water in the soil. Use a well-draining soil mix to discourage root rot. If root-bound, gently loosen the roots before placing the plant in fresh soil. Water the plant in, allowing soil to settle, and top off with more soil if needed.
HUMIDITY
Many houseplants are tropical, meaning their natural habitat is very humid. Try placing your houseplants in humid environments, like a bathroom, near a kitchen sink, or by a humidifier. Keep in mind this can exacerbate fungus gnats, as they thrive in moist soil. Increasing humidity also changes soil moisture retention, so your plants’ watering needs may change.
PRUNING
Remove dead leaves as needed, and prune stems if you prefer a bushier look. Cuttings that include nodes can often be propagated in water or soil to create a new plant!