Have you ever wondered how to keep your indoor plants looking their best? Well, I’m here to share some expert tips with you. From selecting the right potting soil for each type of plant, to creating the perfect growing environment, I’ll give you all the information you need to make your indoor plants thrive.
And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a little greenery to improve the ambiance of their home? Not only do healthy plants look great, but they also help improve the air circulation in your house. So, let’s get started on giving your indoor plants the care they deserve!”
Lighting Is One Of The Most Important Thing
Once you notice that your plant‘s leaves, which make them look lively, are small and pale, recorded slow growth and the stalks are long than usual and the leaves are yellowing, it means that they are not getting enough light. Light is a crucial component for plants growth.
For photosynthesis to take place light is very essential. Photosynthesis is simply the combination of light, water, and carbon dioxide which break down into sugars and oxygen that we breathe. A little amount of sunlight is important though foliage plants need less light as compared to cacti and succulents which require plenty of light
Placing your different types of plants near the window will improve their growth and looks. Once in a while taking the plants out of your house to the garden for a few hours will do the trick for you. aaaaaaaaaa
aIf when you walk into your house and eye pupils dilate and constrict, chances are that your plants are not getting enough light for them to remain healthy. There is a need therefore to increase the light to the preferred levels.
Humidity For Their Unique Needs
The level of humidity is a vital contributor to the health of your plant. When you notice wilting, leaf drop, yellow edges, and shriveling, your plant is suffering from dry air and by increasing humidity, the plant health improves tremendously.
Different rooms have different humidity levels with the bathroom and kitchen recording the highest level. Living and bedrooms are quite drier and hallways being the driest. During winter a heated room’s humidity can drop as much as in the Sahara desert.
Dry conditions will make your plant lose more water than cold seasons. This can be checked using the time compost takes to dry; this shows how dry your plants and their leaves are.
To increase humidity all you need to do is misting using tepid water especially in the morning. Cold-boiled water or rainwater is recommended as it does not stain the plant leaves. This cools down indoor plants in summer and keeps away spider mites.
Putting together your plants in groups increases humidity around them as any evaporation from compost and leaves transpires to the plant‘s benefit. This though may lead to a fugal attack and care should be taken when grouping.
Pebble tray works well with high-humidity tropical plants. Any non-soluble substance placed under the pot and water below the base level will work wonders.
Feeding With Enough Water
When leaves start dropping off, they turn pale or the plant is experiencing slow and weak growth; your plant is hungry and needs food and essential nutrients. Just like animals the plant becomes weak and prone to diseases and its clumsy looks will reflect on your house.
Food for the plant at this stage is required to bring it back to life. There are several constituents of plant food and chemical fertilizers which include Nitrogen (N) which is essential for green leaf growth, Potash (K20) for flowers, and Phosphates (P205) for root growth and development.
The best time to feed your plant is when you notice that its condition is getting worse. Frequency is high during early growth. The newly re-potted plant might take longer before feeding. The best, depending on plant type, is feeding after every two to four weeks. Most feeds come with instructions and these need to be followed to the letter. Make sure your plants are not sodden in water as this will affect their health.
Given the fragile nature of indoor plants, there are three ways of feeding them. Firstly, the slow feed release fertilizer works slowly by releasing nutrients in a calculated mode. Secondly, the use of pellets and sticks is very convenient since all you need to do is push these into the topsoil and the release is done over a month though the feed is not evenly distributed.
The last and most popular is the liquid feed as it supplies food through the root system and equal feed is given and this is equated with watering. Soluble powders are also available in this category.
The Best Soil Types And Soil Mixes For Indoor Plant Growth
To grow and develop properly, most plants require specific soil conditions. Always test your soil’s pH level and nutrient levels before you plant a garden so that you can correct any deficiencies or other problems before they affect plant growth.
Combine healthy and organic potting soil with good cultural practices, like regular watering, and be sure that your plants receive enough sun.
Soil Texture
The right potting soil is commonly divided into three textures: sand, silt and clay. Sandy soils have the largest soil particles with large spaces between them. Clay soils have the smallest particles and pores. Silt soils have a medium texture.
For most gardening purposes, loam soil conditions are ideal. Loam soil is a wonder soil and has a proportional balance of sand, silt, and clay. According to the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, a loam soil has approximately 7 to 27 percent clay, 28 to 50 percent silt and less than 52 percent sand.
Soil pH
Soils are also classified based on their acidity or alkalinity. An organic potting mix with a pH of seven is considered neutral ph. Those with pH levels below seven are acidic, and soils with pH above seven are considered alkaline.
According to the Colorado State University Extension, pH levels between 6.0 and 7.5 are a good choice for most plants. However, some plants have different needs and require more extreme soil pH conditions. Blueberries, for example, require acidic soils with pH levels between 5.0 and 5.5, which is too low for most other plants.
Water Retention
The potting mixes must also have appropriate water retention and soil aeration to support plant life. Water retention is primarily influenced by soil texture. Clay soils are a good idea and tend to have much water retention, whereas sandy soils have very low water retention.
Most plants require well-draining soil conditions, which are found in loamy soils with plenty of organic and natural ingredients matter. However, other plants, like cacti, require low water retention and good drainage, which is found in loose, sandy soils with large pores between soil particles.
Organic Matter
Organic matter refers to a variety of substances that are found or incorporated into a good potting mix, such as peat, compost, manure, and cover crops. The amount of organic matter in the soil has a crucial impact on healthy plant growth.
Very low amounts of organic matter in a well-drained soil may decrease soil fertility, and plants may develop nutrient deficiencies. Many gardeners consider incorporating organic material into garden soil to be one of the most important steps to successful gardening.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to indoor plants, the soil you use can make a big difference in their health and happiness. You want a soil that drains well and is packed with nutrients, like a good quality potting soil or a mix of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
Keep in mind that different plants have different needs, so make sure you’re giving them the right kind of soil. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the moisture level and give them a little fertilizer boost when they need it. With the right soil, your indoor plants will thrive and make your home look and feel amazing.
