By Karen Espig
Indoor gardening can be a very satisfying experience. There is a buzz in watching the greenery and blooms grow and flourish under your care. On the flip side, it can be disheartening when your plants do not thrive.
Let's look at some things you can do to maximise success, allowing you to fully enjoy your home's indoor jungle's visual, mental, and physical benefits.
Pick Your Battles
If you are a new plant parent, start slow and easy. Begin with a couple of recommended beginner plants and save choosing the high-maintenance ones for when you have honed your horticultural instincts.
I've always had success with succulents, like aloe and jade plants. With an aloe plant, you have the bonus of having a remedy for skin irritations at your fingertips! Check out the Zen Succulent for tips and inspo.
If you are also a pet or human parent, ensure any poisonous plants are kept well out of reach or do not include them in your home.
Location, Location, Location
Deciding where in your home you want to locate your plants is essential. The temperature and amount of sunlight required (as well as other factors, such as vents, heaters etc.) varies from plant to plant.
Grouping plants together is an excellent strategy for beginner parents. A single plant tucked away in a distant part of your home will more likely be neglected than a group.
Solid Foundations
Just like homes, plants are best built on good foundations. Be sure to choose a potting mix appropriate for the plant type. There are many pre-mixed options, or you can make your own.
It is equally important that the pot you choose has good drainage, possibly including clay pieces or equivalent underneath the soil mixture. If you wish to use a decorative pot with no built-in drainage, you can put a small plate or bowl in the bottom and place the smaller pot with drainage holes onto it.
Planter options are abundant, including many eco-friendly options. You can also upcycle any containers you already have. Get creative–using damaged ceramics or cooking pots no longer used for their original purpose, or pick up a vintage container at a thrift shop.
Food & Drink
How much water each of your babies needs will depend on plant size, soil formulation, and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight). Instead of watering on a specific schedule, check the soil directly by inserting your finger halfway into it. If you tend to be forgetful, put a reminder into your calendar to check the levels. Moisture metres are also available to assist with this.
A common mistake is to overwater, so it's best to use pots with drainage holes in the bottom. If you are away from home for days at a time, select varieties of plants that do not require frequent watering or rope in someone to water your plants when you are away.
Plants need to eat! The good news is that much of what they need is readily available for free in your home kitchen. This takes additional plant-savvy and experimentation, so if you are a beginner, you might start with a prepared option. Be sure to read the instructions to see if it needs to be diluted and the recommended frequency.
Fertilisation is generally best during peak growing seasons (usually spring through autumn), with a slower pace during winter. But remember, different plants have different needs.
Moving Up And Expanding The Family
If your plants are growing beyond their pots, it's a great sign that you are doing a fabulous job. Generally speaking, all plants should be repotted annually with refreshed soil. Depending on the amount of growth, you may even wish to move them to a larger pot.
Ready to reproduce? In plant terms, this is called propagating, and there are a few ways to make it happen. Many plant varieties are born through stem, root, or bulb cuttings. Succulents such as some cacti and jade plants are easily generated into new family members by laying the pups or padson top of fresh cactus soil until roots form.
Once new plants are ready for new pots, be sure to pick an appropriate size (not too big!), and if necessary, put the mother plant into a smaller pot if it has been dramatically reduced in size. Too big a pot means too much water, potentially causing problems.
There's also the option of planting seeds. This takes time and patience but is uber-rewarding once you've got a plant flourishing.
The true beauty of your natural oasis is that you are the creator, gaining confidence and experience as it evolves. It will inevitably bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Check out some plant influencers or avid indoor gardeners on Instagram if you need more inspiration. There also may be plant swaps or meetups in your city!
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