A Basic Guide to Keeping House Plants

If you are looking for a guide on how to keep house plants then you have come to the right place. Here you can find information on various issues such as pests, fertilizers and watering. In addition to that you can also find advice on repotting and cleaning.

Cleaning

Cleaning house plants is important to maintaining their health and reducing pests. In addition, they may improve your mood and enhance your overall wellbeing. They also clean the air.

The best way to clean a house plant is to swish it around with a sprayer. However, it is best to use a low water pressure. Hot water can actually damage the leaves.

Using a spritz bottle is a good idea for cleaning large or medium sized houseplants. You should also consider using insecticidal soap as a houseplant cleaner.

One of the most useful things about houseplants is their ability to improve the quality of the air you breathe. Indoor plants are not immune to disease, and a lack of food can result in droopy, discolored foliage.

Watering

House plants require a lot of water, especially if they have a lot of leaves. It’s important to make sure you are not watering your plant too much or too little. This can lead to the growth of mold and fungus, as well as the eventual death of the plant.

A good way to measure the moisture content of your soil is with a moisture meter. These devices can be expensive, but they’re worth the splurge if you want to keep your plants healthy.

If you don’t have one, a quick test with your finger will tell you if your plants need more water. Tap water is fine for most houseplants, but it’s not necessarily the best option. For best results, use filtered tap water. Some plants react negatively to the chemicals in tap water.

Fertilizer

There are different types of fertilizer that you can use on your houseplants. Some are made from chemical materials while others are natural. However, both can cause damage to your plants. The best way to choose a fertilizer is to research what your plant needs.

Besides knowing the right types of fertilizers, you should also know when you should feed your plants. Most houseplants go into dormancy during the winter months and do not need any nutrients for a while. You should only feed your plants when you see them actively growing. Adding fertilizer to your plants during dormancy can burn the foliage and kill the plant.

Houseplants need a balanced amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. This is known as the N-P-K ratio. Your plants need these three macronutrients to develop healthy leaves, flowers and roots.

Pests

If you’re looking for a guide to keeping house plants and pests, then you’re in the right place. Houseplants don’t require a green thumb, but they need some TLC to keep them healthy and prevent disease. Some common pests to watch out for are aphids, fungus gnats, and spider mites.

Aphids are small insects that eat the sap of your plants, making them pale and yellow. In severe cases, these insects will cause leaf drop and stunted growth. Similarly, whiteflies can cause damage by sucking life out of your plant.

Fungus gnats are a type of indoor plant pest. Their larvae stick to soil fungi and eat the roots of your plant. They also hover over the surface of the soil.

Springtails are small wingless insects that normally feed on decaying organic matter. However, they can become a nuisance if they start chewing on your seedlings.

Repotting

Repotting house plants is important for a variety of reasons. The plant needs more room to grow, and it may need more water. Some plants will not tolerate the stress of repotting. It also allows the plant to take advantage of a new environment.

The most obvious sign that a plant needs repotting is the presence of roots. Healthy, growing roots are generally white, and look loose and free. These roots can be seen emerging from the bottom of the pot.

A good repotting technique requires the following: a new container, fresh soil, a small amount of fertilizer, and lots of water. This is best done in the spring or early summer.

Houseplants will need to be repotted when the soil in their current pot is dry and their root ball is cramped. The new pot should be larger than the old one, and it should have a drainage hole.