How to Care for Your Houseplants

Caring for houseplants when you’re first starting out can feel daunting. Each plant is different and knowing what works for each species comes with time, practice, and research. However, most plants won’t need constant attention to stay happy. Here is a list of tips on how to keep your plants in top condition and thriving, even when you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing!

Water Your Houseplants

This is the most obvious tip. Some houseplants won’t need as much water as others, and some, like cacti and succulents, will need even less. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, so if you’re not sure how much to water, less is more!

Repot Overgrown Houseplants

If you can see that the roots of your plant are circling the inside of the container, then it is time to repot it. Find yourself a new pot that you like, and gently transplant it into the new container. As you divide your houseplants, it’s a good time to divide those with multiple stems to get new plants. That way, you get multiple houseplants from just one!

Dust Your Houseplants

Houseplants are very stationary, and they can collect dust quite quickly. All houseplants look better with regular cleaning, so make sure to wash the leaves with a spray of room-temperature water. If the plant has hairy leaves, use a soft brush instead, as these types of leaves can hold onto moisture and encourage disease. You can also use a cloth, especially on plants with smooth leaves.

Prune Your Houseplants

You can prune your plants at any time of the year, but autumn is the natural time to cut back that summer growth. Not only does pruning your houseplants stop them from getting too large, but also helps to encourage new growth, keeping them healthy and rejuvenated all year round. Trim faded flowers and remove yellowing leaves from your plants to encourage new blooms to grow and prevent disease problems.

Control Insect Pests

Several insects commonly attack plants, and an insecticidal soap will usually do the trick when it comes to keeping them at bay. Rubbing alcohol is also good for insects with waxy coatings, like mealybugs – just dab it onto your plant with a cotton ball. Make sure you are consistent with your treatments. Some pests are fast reproducing, so treating your plants once a week for a month may be needed to be rid of the pests.

Watch for Diseases

Remove and destroy diseased houseplants or leaves as they develop to stop the disease from spreading. Some diseases spread through insects, so keeping them at bay will help to prevent disease taking over your houseplants. If you’re ever unsure on whether your houseplant is healthy, make sure to do your research before trying to treat it.