Buzz
Indoor plants play a vital role in many households, but they often require the grower to have a deep love for plants and be willing to invest significant effort into their care for them to flourish. Not everyone has a natural talent for gardening, but with the right steps, you can become more skilled. Start by choosing the appropriate type of plant for your home. When you bring your plant home, you will need to allow it time to acclimate to avoid shock. The key is proper care and understanding the plant's needs in terms of light, water, and soil to ensure it thrives for years to come.
Steps
Select the right type of plant
Find a reliable plant supplier. Nurseries or plant stores can provide you with quality plants along with expert advice. You might also buy plants from supermarkets or home improvement stores, but they often aren't the ones growing the plants, so they cannot guarantee the quality. Typically, returns are not allowed, which means you may face risks.
- When visiting a nursery, pay attention to how clean the environment is. Additionally, if all the plants are priced lower than average, it might indicate a focus on cost rather than quality.
- You can also buy plants online or order them through mail delivery.
Choose hardy plants that are less likely to die. If you're new to gardening, start with easy-to-care-for plants. If you're interested, you can begin with desert cacti, just be sure to select varieties that are simple to grow and that you know how to care for. Some easy-to-care-for indoor plants include: ornamental perilla, sweet flag (Acorus calamus), cast iron plant (Aspidistra), ornamental pineapple, peace lily, red lily, African geranium, bamboo, arrowhead vine, spider plants, succulents, cacti, and ferns.
- Just because a plant appears to spread easily doesn't mean it’s easy to care for. These plants may spread widely because they propagate well in a greenhouse, but that doesn't necessarily mean they’re easy to grow indoors.
- Many plants are not suitable for growing indoors. For example, tulips and hydrangeas should be planted outdoors after blooming, and some plants, like white narcissus or Persian violets, will die after blooming. Miniature roses and lilies also do not thrive indoors.
Chai Saechao
Founder of Plant Therapy
Founder of Plant Therapy
Look for easy-to-grow plants like snake plants or money trees. Chai Saechao, the founder and owner of Plant Therapy, offers this advice: "If you're just starting to garden, I recommend snake plants. They’re great for purifying the air and are highly resilient. You only need to water them every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on where they’re placed. The money tree is also a good option, and both of these plants can adapt to almost any environment."
Decide whether you want flowering plants or foliage plants. You can choose between two main types of indoor plants, classified by their appearance.
- Flowering plants: The most attractive feature of these plants is their flowers. In the wild, most plants have flowers and fruit. However, due to limited light and space for roots indoors, many plants may not reach maturity or produce flowers.
- Foliage plants: These plants are grown for their beautiful leaves. While some may also bloom, their flowers are often not as striking and may not be worth the care needed to maintain them.
Check the health of the leaves and flowers. A healthy plant should have an attractive shape, with vibrant leaves free of spots or imperfections. The stem should have leaves growing evenly from top to bottom without large gaps. Additionally, if it's a flowering plant, choose one with many new buds and a few flowers already blooming; the flowers should be bright and colorful.
- New shoots are a good sign, but some slow-growing plants might not show clear new shoots immediately.
- Choose a plant that is the size you want, rather than trying to grow a large plant from a small one.
Examine the root ball. Gently pull the plant to check if the stem is securely attached to the roots and if the plant is firmly in the pot. If you notice the soil is loosening from the pot, dry or waterlogged, it's best to choose another plant. Roots growing tightly together shouldn't be a major concern.
Be cautious of deceptive tactics. Sometimes suppliers use tricks to make plants appear more attractive. For example, they may glue a cactus flower onto another plant or even spray paint a plant to make it look more vibrant. These tactics are not only deceptive but can also harm the plant. Carefully inspect the plant before purchasing it.
- However, plants that are grafted, braided, or planted in unusual containers are not a cause for concern.
Help the plant acclimate to prevent shock.
Quickly transition the plant into its new environment. Vendors typically pack plants to prevent damage. If they don’t, you should find ways to protect the plant from elements like wind, extreme temperatures, and car exhaust. Avoid causing shock to the plant. If you're buying a large plant and can't transport it yourself, request delivery to your home.
- Shield the plant from external conditions. If purchasing multiple plants, prepare materials like wine boxes, buckets, or other containers to separate them.
- Wrap the plant with plastic bags or old newspapers, using a stick to secure the bag over the soil. Flowers and leaves may break if they come into contact with the bag.
- Seal the plastic bag or wrap the container before leaving the store. This will help bring a bit of indoor air to the plant. Also, avoid placing the plant in a hot or cold car trunk to prevent damage.
Choose the right spot in your home. Pick a location that doesn’t receive full sunlight (unless you're growing succulents, cacti, or flowering plants). Avoid areas with extreme temperatures. A room with abundant natural light is ideal, but place the plant about 1.2-1.5 meters away from the window to receive indirect light and allow it to gradually adjust. Resist the temptation to move the plant from one spot to another or to transplant it right away. Let the soil dry completely before watering the plant for the first time.
- After being moved through different environments, the plant may be in a state of partial shock and requires time to adapt to its new surroundings.
- Isolate the newly purchased plant from others in your home to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
- Avoid placing heat-loving plants directly into greenhouses or warm rooms, thinking it's the perfect environment. Many nurseries store plants in cooler settings, and they can experience shock if suddenly placed in a warm location.
Wait for the plant to recover. Continue to observe the plant and provide assistance if needed. Many plants may show signs of yellowing or leaf and flower drop, which is normal after being moved. However, if the plant becomes excessively wilted or turns brown, it may require significant care.
- Avoid overwatering or adding unnecessary fertilizers, as this could do more harm than good.
- Some plants, like Ficus, often lose all their leaves, only for new shoots to grow vigorously once they adjust to their environment. Other plants may shed most of their leaves, leaving behind only young ones, which will thrive better in the new setting.
- Sometimes, the plant you buy could be close to dormancy or even dying.
Move the plant to a permanent location. Observe how the plant adapts. Once new shoots appear and the yellowing stops, you can place the plant where you intend for it to remain long-term. If necessary, you may repot it into a new container.
- You do not need to relocate the plant if the current position suits the conditions mentioned above.
Avoid fertilizing the plant. When you purchase a plant, it has likely already been fertilized at some point and has sufficient nutrients. Adding more fertilizer can actually do more harm than good.
- Plants may need fertilization after about a year. Check the specific needs of each plant species, as some plants do not require additional fertilizer.
Ensure proper lighting and temperature.
Provide suitable lighting for the plant. Insufficient light will cause the leaves to become weak, and the branches will be spindly. Many plants that have vibrant colors or patterns will lose these features and turn green. Flowering plants will not bloom in low light environments. On the other hand, excessive light can cause the branches to grow too close together, with leaves burning or shriveling. Understanding the plant’s light needs will help you provide the correct lighting for it.
- Strong light is found near windows. Cacti, succulents, and many indoor plants grow well in this light, but other plants may require indirect light.
- Medium light is found around 0.9 to 1.5 meters away from a sunny window. This area has noticeable shade, and most indoor plants thrive in this light without issue.
- Weak light is found far from a sunny window, where light is dim and shaded. Some indoor plants tolerate this level of light, and although they may stop growing, they remain healthy.
Use artificial light when natural light is insufficient. You can purchase agricultural or plant grow lights from garden supply stores or large retailers. These lights provide a light similar to natural sunlight. Remember to turn off the lights on a schedule so that the plant can rest at night.
- You can also use regular household “cool white” bulbs, which are similar to agricultural lights but less expensive. These bulbs emit a white-blue light.
- LED lights generate less heat and energy than incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps. These bulbs will not overheat your plants, and you’ll save on electricity costs.
Avoid placing plants in drafty areas, spots with fluctuating temperatures, or extreme temperature zones. No plant enjoys sudden temperature changes, which often occur when cold air flows in or a storm passes through. Areas near walkways or windows connected to exterior walls are also affected. A few degrees of fluctuation is fine, but drastic temperature shifts can shock the plant.
- Most indoor plants thrive in temperatures between 15.5°C and 24°C.
- In extreme temperature environments, plants may droop and shed all their leaves and/or flowers. Too low a temperature can cause curling leaves or rot, while excessive heat can cause flowers to shrivel and leaves to yellow.
Provide warmth for cacti and succulent plants. Some areas in the home can get very hot, such as spots that receive direct sunlight all day or near heat sources like computers, TVs, heaters, and air conditioners. Most plants cannot tolerate this kind of heat, but cacti and succulents can thrive in these conditions.
Ensure proper humidity levels.
Water the plants according to their specific needs. When watered too little, plants will shrink, and leaves will curl. Overwatering can lead to mold and rot. By understanding each plant's water requirements, you’ll know exactly how much water to provide.
- Low humidity: Many desert plants fall into this category. These plants don’t thrive in high humidity as mold and rot may develop. For these plants, create a dry environment and only water when the soil is nearly dry.
- Medium humidity: Many plants prefer moderate humidity. Wait for the soil to dry a little (about halfway or a quarter) before watering thoroughly. Monitor and provide water when needed.
- High humidity: Some indoor plants love moisture, high humidity, and damp soil. These plants grow well in terrariums indoors. A few species can even survive with their roots submerged in water.
Duy trì môi trường sáng, nóng và ẩm thay vì tối, lạnh và ướt. Khi ở trong môi trường có độ ẩm cao, nhiệt độ thấp và ánh sáng yếu, cây sẽ có nguy cơ phát sinh nấm mốc. Điều này có nghĩa là bạn cần hạ độ ẩm nếu nhiệt độ xuống thấp.
- Cây thường xuân, anh thảo, thu hải đường và một số loài dương xỉ không thích điều kiện ẩm ướt, chật chội. Bạn không nên đặt những cây này chung với những cụm cây khác mọc chen chúc, nếu không, chúng sẽ bị thối rữa và nấm mốc.
Tưới nước cho cây khi cần. Dùng ngón tay để sờ đất. Với những cây ưa độ ẩm cao, bạn cần tưới ngay khi mặt đất hoàn toàn khô ráo. Với cây có độ ẩm trung bình, bạn nên chọc ngón tay vào đất xuống khoảng hơn 1 cm để thử. Nếu thấy khô, bạn hãy tưới cho cây.
- Tưới vào đất cho đến khi nước chảy qua các lỗ thoát nước. Như vậy đất sẽ được tưới kỹ. Cây cối thích được tưới kiểu này vì nó giúp rễ cây dưới đáy chậu nhận được nước. Ngoài ra, cách tưới này còn giúp rửa trôi lượng muối còn lại trong đất.
Cung cấp nước có chất lượng tốt cho cây. Bạn nên tưới cây bằng nước ở nhiệt độ phòng và để qua đêm. Tuy nhiên, bạn cũng có thể dùng nước máy hơi ấm nếu muốn tưới ngay.
- Nếu bạn không biết chắc có các hóa chất nào trong nước, hoặc cây của bạn nhạy cảm với hóa chất, hãy thử dùng nước lọc hoặc nước suối và theo dõi xem cây phản ứng ra sao. Một số loại cây không ưa fluoride, vôi hoặc các loại muối hiện diện trong nguồn nước.
Tránh tưới cây theo lịch trình nghiêm ngặt. Cùng một loài cây trong cùng môi trường nhưng trồng trong các chậu khác nhau sẽ cần được tưới vào các thời gian khác nhau. Bạn nên chăm sóc từng cây như từng cá thể riêng biệt. Ngoài ra, những cây được đặt trên kệ cao hoặc trồng trong các chậu treo sẽ cần nhiều nước hơn những cây cùng loại nhưng được trồng dưới thấp.
- Khi chăm sóc các cây đòi hỏi độ ẩm cao, tốt nhất là bạn hãy để yên như vậy và theo dõi dấu hiệu cho thấy cây thiếu độ ẩm. Khi đó lá cây sẽ bị cháy sém ở viền lá hoặc chóp lá và quắt lại.
Tránh phun sương lên cây. Nhiều loài cây ưa độ ẩm nhưng không thích được tưới nước lên lá, chẳng hạn như cây có lông tơ trên lá. Thay vì phun sương, bạn hãy đặt cây vào khay nước có sỏi, mua máy tạo ẩm, đặt cây thành cụm hoặc trồng cây trong bể thủy tinh kiểu nhà kính để cung cấp nước cho cây.
- Tuy nhiên, cây dứa cảnh và nhiều loài hoa lan lại thích được phun sương. Thực tế, những cây dứa dại thích tích nước trong những chiếc “cốc” trên ngọn cây, cây Tillandsias, còn gọi là cây không khí, có các vẩy hấp thụ nước trên lá.
- Một số cây sẽ xuất hiện các đốm màu cà phê xấu xí nếu bị phun sương. Các lá dày sẽ có các đốm thâm. Lá của nhiều cây sẽ trở nên gầy gò yếu ớt. Nước cứng cũng tạo ra những vệt cứng và trắng như phấn trên lá.
- Nước lạnh vẩy lên lá cây có thể làm chết lá vì thối rữa. Lá cây ướt phơi dưới ánh nắng mặt trời có thể bị cháy, tương tự như tia nắng chiếu qua kính lúp có thể đốt cháy giấy.
Water from the bottom for sensitive plants. Some plants, like the Amaryllis and hybrids of the Easter Lily, can rot if water sits on the bulb or at the top of the plant, which can lead to the plant's death. For these plants, it’s best to water by placing the pot in a container of warm water and lifting it out once no more bubbles rise and the surface water appears glossy.
Select a plant pot and fertilize your plants
Choose the right pot for your plant. When it comes to plant pots, you have plenty of options. You can use pots with small drainage holes or ones without, depending on your preference. Additionally, you can hide an unattractive plant pot within a more decorative one.
- Pots without drainage holes help retain moisture in the soil, preventing the plant from drying out too quickly, which is helpful if you're prone to forgetfulness. These pots are typically made from plastic, ceramic, or glazed clay.
- Pots with drainage holes absorb moisture from the soil and can dry out the roots. These pots are useful when you've overwatered your plant. They also absorb salts from fertilizers, which can accumulate inside the pot and potentially burn the roots.
Choose good quality potting soil. Quality soil contains particles of various sizes, rather than just fine grains like black sand. A good soil mix is loose, moist, and airy. Avoid using soil with added fertilizers, as it may burn the roots and harm the plant. Most plants are sensitive to salts found in soil.
- Low-quality soil tends to compact, making it difficult for roots to penetrate. Be mindful of weeds and pests in the soil.
- You can mix your own soil using materials from garden centers, such as peat moss, humus, perlite, clean garden sand (not construction sand), and other ingredients. Soil mixing recipes can be found online and in gardening books.
- Different plant species have specific soil requirements, and you can find soil mixes tailored for certain groups. For example, tropical plants often thrive in mixes meant for Amaryllis or Azaleas, while cactus, succulents, orchids, and citrus plants each have their own specialized soil needs.
Repot your plant if necessary. Start by selecting a new pot that is about 1.5 cm larger than the current one. To remove the plant from its old pot, gently lay it on its side and lift it out. If needed, use a trowel or knife to loosen the roots from the pot. In some cases, you may need to break the old pot to free the plant. When lifting the plant, hold the stem or woody branches, never the soft stems or tips, to avoid damaging the delicate parts and roots.
- Place gravel at the bottom of the new pot to improve drainage. If the pot has a drainage hole in the center, cover it with fine mesh to prevent soil from escaping.
- Fill the pot with soil so that the plant’s root crown (where the stem meets the roots) is level with the pot’s rim. Fill in soil around the plant to secure it in place.
- Gently tap the pot to settle the soil and eliminate large air pockets that could suffocate the roots. Water the plant and leave it for a few weeks. Avoid fertilizing during this period.
Plant based on the needs of the species. Some plants, like the Chinese evergreen, prefer to be planted deeply, while others, like Amaryllis, do better when not planted too deeply. It’s important to understand the specific needs of the plants you are growing.
- Additionally, different plants require different pot depths and widths. Palm trees prefer deep and narrow pots to accommodate their long roots. Azaleas and Amaryllis, on the other hand, thrive in shallow pots. Many flowering plants and other species prefer to stay crowded in the same pot for years without needing to be repotted.
Fertilize with the right amount. Excessive fertilizer can cause weak plant shoots that need to be pruned, and it can also leave white, crusty deposits on the soil and burn spots on the leaves. On the other hand, insufficient fertilizer will stunt plant growth, leading to degeneration and leaf drop. Using the wrong type of fertilizer (such as one with a high nitrogen concentration) on flowering plants will result in poor flowering or a lack of blooms altogether.
- The three primary macronutrients are:
- Nitrogen (N) encourages leaf growth.
- Phosphorus (P) is beneficial for root, flower, fruit, and seed development.
- Potassium (K) promotes the growth of stems, flowers, fruits, and helps with water transport.
- Look for fertilizers with numbers separated by dashes (like 10-10-10 or 16-4-8), which always indicate the NPK ratio. Typically, foliage plants need more nitrogen in the soil, while flowering plants require more phosphorus and potassium. Major stores usually carry fertilizers designed for specific plant groups.
Fertilize intelligently. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging. It’s recommended to choose liquid or mixed fertilizers instead of stick or pellet forms. Stick or pellet fertilizers don’t always dissolve fully in the soil and can leave salt spots that may burn the roots. When applying fertilizer, it’s better to use less than the recommended amount to avoid harming the plant.
- Don’t fertilize during the plant's dormant season or when it’s not actively growing. Many plants benefit from rest during cooler seasons, receiving less sunlight and therefore using less energy to produce nutrients. Fertilizing during dormancy can cause weak, spindly shoots that are susceptible to disease and pests. Additionally, these shoots won’t produce strong flowers or fruits.
Understand the local environment conditions of native plants. Knowledge of the native climate and soil types can help you discover valuable tips for planting. Take some time to learn about each plant’s background to gain more insight into its needs.
Plant care
Inspect your plants regularly for any changes or potential issues, including pests. Developing a habit of checking your plants can help you catch problems early, before they become severe. Without frequent checks, you might only notice issues when they are too advanced to fix.
Act quickly to address plant diseases or other issues as soon as they arise. If you spot a disease or pests, take action right away. This will prevent further damage to your plants.
- Many diseases show symptoms similar to one another. Pay attention to combined symptoms. For example, leaf drop and yellowing caused by dry soil will coincide with dry soil and scorched leaf tips.
Prune your plants. Remove dead, rotting, or deformed leaves. Pinch off spent flowers because dead foliage and flowers can be sources of disease.
- Plants with soft stems, like mirror grass, will thrive when you pinch back the tips to encourage branching and create a fuller growth. Use pruning shears for this task.
- Indoor plants and shrubs also benefit from pruning to maintain healthy growth, attractive shape, and promote blooming. Some plants only flower on new growth.
Clean the plant's leaves. For plants with water-tolerant leaves, you can give them a warm water ‘bath’ or let them enjoy a summer rain outside. For plants with leaves sensitive to water, it’s best to dust off the leaves using a soft makeup brush.
Prepare your plant for dormancy. Many tropical houseplants that are grown in their native environments don’t experience dormancy and continue growing year-round. However, some plants undergo distinct dormancy periods to prepare for the growing season. You should reduce water and temperature for a few weeks or months. Most plants can survive with less water and warmth during the winter, which helps them sprout robustly in the spring, even flower, and produce fruit.
- Signs of dormancy may vary depending on the plant species. Evergreen plants stop growing, while deciduous plants shed all their leaves. Many bulbous plants, like ornamental taro, may appear dead above ground, but their bulbs remain alive. In fact, the rum flower, when grown in northern climates, often enters an unusual dormancy during the growing season, opposite to its native South African seasons. Cacti and succulents without leaves do not go dormant, but they thrive in dry, cold winter weather.
- Avoid fertilizing your plant during winter or its dormant period unless it’s a specific need for that plant. Nutrients that the roots cannot absorb may harm the roots or encourage weak, new growth, leading to frail branches, leaves, and flowers.
Check for signs of poor-quality soil. Compact soil causes water and nutrients to drain too quickly into the drainage tray. The soil should bubble and produce a sound as water is absorbed when watered. If the soil is too heavy, plants may show signs like brittle and weak stems, although the leaves remain normal.
- Sometimes, plants may break off at the root ball with just a gentle pull, or even healthy plants may have reduced vitality.
- Plants with taproots and some indoor woody plants may fall over if planted in soil that is too light.
Tips
- If you need to pull leaves or flowers while pruning, avoid tearing them off as this can harm the plant.
- When repotting a plant, hold the leaves and/or woody stems rather than the plant's top or roots. Leaves can generally tolerate some force, but roots and soft branches will break if pulled too harshly.
Warnings
- Indoor plants are often trickier to care for than you might think. Be cautious, as these plants tend to be quite delicate.
- Identify if your plant could be harmful. Some plants come equipped with 'defense mechanisms' such as sharp-edged leaves or thorns that could injure you. Many common plants are also toxic when ingested. Some plants can even be fatal, while others can cause rashes, such as poison ivy. Always be careful when there are children and pets around.
