Tips on how to care for House Plants

Potted plants are a good way to accessorise and liven up your home. Best of all, most plants are relatively easy to care for; it’s definitely not rocket science. Here are some points you must remember:

Worried that your plants may not be getting the right amount of water and sun? Here’s a little secret. Create the same ideal conditions as plants would enjoy in their native habitat. Inquire with your florist about exactly how much of water and sunlight you should be giving the plants and how regularly. Plants with a lot of leaf surface or soft, lush foliage will require more water than those with less foliage or waxy or leathery leaves.

Plants need nutrients for healthy growth. Remember to regularly feed them fertilisers. But, as the need of each plant differs, don’t forget to consult your florist first.

Pruning and trimming is essential for potted plants. While it helps you regulate their height, cutting of dead stems and removing yellow leaves will prevent fungus and decay from setting in. While light trimming can be done anytime, the best time to prune potted plants is when they are actively growing - the rainy season. Use pruning shears for plants with thick woody stems.

Clean up the leaves. Yes this is important so as to keep them dust and insect free and get the required light to grow. While you can use a damp cloth or sponge for smooth leaves, use a soft brush (a paint brush or old tooth brush is ideal) for plants with hairy leaves. For fine foliage plants like ferns, spraying them with water is a good option.

As the plants grow, you will need to move them into larger pots to allow for the roots to spread. Otherwise they will become pot bound — the roots will become cramped and form a tightly packed mass inhibiting the plant’s growth. You know you have to repot the plant when you see the roots on the surface or emerging from the drainage hole in the pot.