Nine Of Our Secrets For Growing Great Houseplants

Houseplants are a great addition to any home. They provide us with oxygen, purify the air, and are aesthetically pleasing. The need to create an environment that is both healthy and beautiful has become more important as many of us find we are spending more time at home. If plants are properly cared for, they can also have a long life. With proper care, houseplants can grow into stunning plants some with flowers, that can help lower stress levels in your home.

There is a lot of misinformation about how difficult it is to achieve a green thumb and grow plants indoors. In reality, anyone (and we mean anyone) can do it because there is an abundance of resources available to help you along the way. Whether you start from a plant, cuttings, or seeds for both indoor and outdoor plants – we’ve got you covered with information on how to grow great houseplants.

Here are our nine secrets for growing great houseplants:

Secret One - Rotation is a way to ensure plants receive proper light and watering. Rotating plants can prevent them from getting “leggy” or stretching for the sun, which can be a sign of improper illumination.

Secret Two - Finding the best location for your houseplants to thrive is very important. Learn about your plant and the light exposure, air quality, and soil moisture it needs.  If you see your plant is struggling, try moving it around to a different location to see how it does.  Once they begin to flourish, you can make that location the plant's permanent home.

Secret Three -  Water your houseplants less. Houseplants need water, but not as much as you may think. In some cases, plants can survive on very little water.  Overwatering is the number one cause of plant death in homes. Studies show that plants need more water in the summer when they are in the sun more often. On the other hand, when you give them too much water, they can rot or grow fungi.  Some plants like cacti and succulents don't need watering at all!  Keep your plants alive and healthy by following these five simple rules for watering your plants.

  • Assess the size of the plant
  • Use a water meter
  • Water enough to moisten the soil but not saturate it
  • Keep indoor plants near a window, but not in direct sunlight
  • Avoid over-watering indoor plants

Secret Four - Wipe the leaves of your houseplants gently with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust that may have accumulated there.  Dust can block the sun which interferes with photosynthesis (remember high school biology).  You do not need to do it every day, try doing it a couple of times a month.

Secret Five - When bringing a new houseplant into your home or bringing it in from outdoors make sure you keep it away from other plants for a few weeks.  There could be pests on the plant, and you do not want it to spread to other plants in your home.

Secret Six - Pruning your plants is not only about getting rid of the excess leaves and branches but also about giving the plant a trim to promote new growth and maintain the shape of the plant. Trimming is one of the most important things you can do to keep your plants healthy and happy.  Remember some plants need pruning, but not all of them do. Make sure you know about your plant’s specific care instructions.

Secret Seven - Repotting your houseplants is essential for their health and growth. It can also be a fun project to do with children.  The best time to repot is in the spring as the weather is not too cold and before the time your plant starts growing and is too large for their containers.  To report, remove the plant from its pot and gently shake off some of the soil around it. You might need to use some tongs or a sheet of newspaper to do this while wearing gardening gloves to protect your hands from prickles or thorns. Be careful not to damage roots when you're doing this. Next, loosen around the root ball with your fingers and untangle any weeds that may be present.  You may need to cut back some of the roots to help regenerate healthy growth.

Secret Eight - Experiment with growing new plants from seeds, seedlings, or propagating them to learn more about different plants to increase your expertise. Remember to make sure you research plants and find the right ones that can grow in the conditions available in your home.  Try finding other houseplant lovers and increase your knowledge.  Make sure to enjoy yourself!

Secret Nine - The Internet is your friend.  If you are having a problem with a plant, try using Blooming Secrets, Google, YouTube, or Pinterest to help you with your issue.  Make sure you read a couple of articles or look at a few videos to assist in solving your problem.

If you have any secrets you want to add, please let us know!

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