Our "houseplant corner" is by the kitchen sink (making it easy to remember to water!). I have been slowly adding to our collection, and now have an avocado plantling that I grew from seed, a Christmas Cactus that's an heirloom from my dad's mom (she passed away 26 years ago, and my uncle kept her plant thriving and has since propagated to share with family!), a very prolific pothos from a past client, and a few new succulents to add to the mix.
We love houseplants, but we used to find them so intimidating! For years I failed to keep even the simplest house plants alive, and was so nervous when a client gifted us a gorgeous pothos plant that was over 40 years old and had been started by her father. The plant was generous, vibrant, and forgiving, and slowly we learned and built confidence as we cared for our plants and our collection grew.
We think houseplants are so important, we even gift them to our clients during the close as a housewarming present! In addition to making homes feel cozier, these plants are also symbolic of new life and the memories that will be formed!
And although houseplants don’t take up much room in the house or have too many demands, they can be tricky to keep healthy (unlike your plants outside, which can be maintained during your landscaping routine).
Certain species have very specific requirements, and missing a watering or failing to keep their leaves clean can cause them to wither.
To help, we’re outlining some of the best strategies to keep your houseplants healthy all year long.
The pothos sits at the top of our beloved game shelf, next to a spider plant my sister grew and shared. We just added the geranium at the bottom, which was a new plantling from the same client.
6 Tips for Healthier Houseplants
Here’s how to keep your houseplants healthy throughout the year:
1. Understand how much water they need.
All plants require different levels of water. Cacti and succulents, for example, are capable of pulling most of their moisture needs from the surrounding air, so they don’t require frequent watering.
But other plants require more. And, unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here; some plants will even die from overwatering.
It’s best to check what’s best for your specific plant type.
As a general rule, though, you can thoroughly water once or twice a week, meaning you soak the soil and then leave it alone for a few days.
This tactic allows the water to seep deep into the soil, encouraging the roots to spread further and strengthen the plant.
To learn more about watering best practices, read this watering overview by Houseplant Expert, or check out their A-Z guide.
2. Dust your houseplants as needed!
No matter how much your vacuum and wipe your surfaces around the house, your home is bound to collect dust.
So don’t forget to clean your plants!
Plants with wide leaves will inevitably collect dust, and that dust can actually block sunlight and hurt their health.
To keep the dust at bay, use a soft cloth to gently wipe the leaves. If your plants have hairy leaves, use a soft brush (like an artist’s paintbrush from the craft store) to bat away dust.
Regularly cleaning your plants can also help prevent diseases and even assist in pest control.
3. Be mindful of sunlight.
It sounds counterintuitive, but there are many houseplants that can actually be hurt by too much sunlight.
The warning signs of too much sunlight are often the same as overwatering: brown tips, droopy leaves, yellowing, and wilting.
While researching how frequently you should water your plant, check how much light it requires.
If your plants don’t like a lot of sunlight, you could potentially place them on the north, east, or west side of the house so they receive less direct sunlight throughout the day (assuming you live in Pittsburgh or somewhere else in the northern hemisphere).
Some plants, like the cast iron plant and the philodendron, can do well in shady locations, and you may never have to worry about moving them into direct sunlight.
4. Circulate the air and maintain a healthy temperature.
Have you ever noticed the big fans running inside greenhouses?
Plants like airflow.
If you have a ceiling fan, run it to keep the air moving around your home. Or, when you can, open a window to let some fresh air through.
And while we’re at it, remember that most houseplants like a temperate environment, and nearly all of them like to remain in rooms of 55ºF or above.
While it’s unlikely you’d ever let your home get that cold while you’re living there, remember not to set the heat too low when you leave for vacation in the winter months. Your plants could die while you’re away!
5. Trim and prune regularly.
Regular pruning can encourage new growth and rejuvenate your plants.
Cutting away those dry, brown leaves can prevent harmful diseases from hurting your plants.
Pro tip: Use sharp scissors to make cuts, and always wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading disease from one plant to another.
6. Use fertilizer.
Remember how we said you should be careful while watering your houseplants?
You should be just as careful with fertilizer.
Even though fertilizer can be incredibly helpful for your plants, too much can be harmful.
Check what type of fertilizer is best for your plants. Then be sure to follow the fertilizer instructions carefully!
Properly following the fertilizer instructions will ensure your plant lives a long, happy life!
Have Fun!
While all of this can feel overwhelming to a first-time plant owner, you’ll quickly get the hang of taking care of your plants.
In time, caring for your houseplants will be second nature, and their consistent presence will help brighten your home!
Cheers,
Julie & Ted