Indoor plants are definitely having their time in the spotlight at the moment – and for good reason! I’ve shared some of their benefits before, but today I thought I’d share some tips to keep your indoor plants happy. I’d love to hear your top tips too!
Know their water needs
Not all indoor plants come with the same watering needs, so pay attention to how they are responding. If the leaves are turning yellow or brown they might be thirsty, but be careful not to over-water either. You don’t want to drown them, or cause root-rot if the excess water can’t drain away. Water needs will change across the year as well, particularly due to the use of heater and air conditioners in your home. Whilst there are definitely lots of great low-maintenance plants you can’t completely set-and-forget them!
Dust the leaves
Just like your plants outside, indoor plants need to be able to absorb light and air, so give them a good dusting semi-regularly. Unlike their outdoor counterparts their leaves are unlikely to be blown about in the wind, so we have to give them a helping hand. Use a damp cloth and gently wipe them down – simple as that!
Be aware of changing light
Getting the right amount of sunlight for the particular plant species is key to keeping them happy. Work out whether they prefer full sun, low light or somewhere in between and position them accordingly. To really keep your indoor plants happy you may also need to move them around to reflect the changing light that happens across seasons. A particular spot might become too hot for some plants over summer, or there may be not enough light in other spots in winter, so shift your plants around to meet their needs. It also means you get to mix up your space as well!
Take them outside
This might sound counterintuitive given we’re talking about indoor plants, but they do enjoy some outdoor time as well. Fresh air is good for their health, so take them outside and give them a good water regularly, they’ll be much happier for it.
Humidity matters
Lots of indoor plant species, particularly from tropical locations, require some humidity to keep them happy. Given the watering only impacts on their roots, you need to give them a spritz of water on their leaves regularly as well. Just get yourself a spray bottle and add this little step to your plant maintenance routine and they’ll be much happier. This is particularly important if your air is dried out by air conditioners.
Give them a feed
Indoor plants are unable to get nutrients from anywhere except the soil they were potted in, so you need to keep them fed to help them grow and flourish. A liquid seaweed is an excellent option, as is anything with lots of nitrogen and phosphorus. This will help boost growth and promote healthier roots, giving you a much happier plant!
I hope these tips help you keep your indoor plants happy!
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Graciously Grant
August 14, 2020 at 8:51 am (4 years ago)Great post! I never thought about the weather affecting my indoor plants so much until last winter and I lost a few.
Nina
October 16, 2020 at 3:19 pm (4 years ago)Great article. An end of season shower is helpful to remove dirt and debris from the leaves and drench the soil to remove any built up salts in the soil.
Nina recently posted…Watering indoor plants like an expert: 4 simple steps
Jane
October 24, 2020 at 2:21 pm (4 years ago)Thanks for the tips! I hope some plants won’t go through shock from moving them around too much.
landscaping
December 6, 2020 at 1:46 am (4 years ago)Although plants release oxygen during the day, it is worth remembering that, at night, when photosynthesis stops, most plants switch things up and release carbon dioxide. However plants such as orchids, succulents, snake plants and bromeliads do the opposite and emit oxygen, making them perfect plants for the bedroom (and getting better sleep).
Indoor Gardening Blog
January 5, 2021 at 9:43 am (4 years ago)Great article. I am amazed how much more my plants grow in summer even though they are inside.
Indoor Gardening Blog recently posted…10 of the best indoor plant books: the ultimate list
Riley Francis
January 12, 2021 at 10:19 pm (4 years ago)Very nice article. Thanks for sharing this tips. I will use this tips for my home plants.
Livelygardening
October 15, 2021 at 11:43 pm (3 years ago)If my plants happy i will happy too,Thank for your great article.