The Ultimate Guide on How to Choose and Care for Indoor Plants

If you're looking to beautify your home, indoor plants bring life, color, and visual interest into any space. Before you head to the nearest nursery to pick out a few plants to enhance your space, it's important to understand how to give houseplants the proper care they need to thrive. Read on to discover more about a few popular indoor plants and how you can make sure they live a healthy life for years to come.

Focus on the Light

All plants need light to survive, however, the amount of light they need every day differs between species. The amount of light you get in your home depends on several factors including the way your house is facing and how many windows you have.

Look closely at the care tag on all houseplants and find out the light requirements. Wording like "full sun" or "partial sun" should be included as well as how many hours of direct sunlight the plant requires.

Even if your house doesn't seem to get a lot of light, you can still grow many different types of indoor plants.

One popular choice is the pothos which is commonly found in office settings.

Other beautiful indoor plants that don't need tons of light include the heart-leaf philodendron, the arrowhead vine, and the Chinese evergreen. The peace lily is a beautiful flowering plant that doesn't require a lot of full, direct sunlight.

For plants that just need partial sun, place them close to a window where they can at least get some sunlight every day. The fiddle-leaf fig, spider plant, and Norfolk pine are all gorgeous indoor plant options that can thrive in partial sunlight.

You can always move your plant around as needed if it requires a lot of sun, but the purpose of having indoor plants is to enjoy the fact that they're generally low maintenance. Pay close attention to your particular growing zone to make sure your plant can handle the local climate.

Areas that are too hot or too cold could cause your plant to die. Never leave your houseplants outside if they're not meant to live in areas that get below a certain temperature at night or during the winter.

Choosing a Pot for Indoor Plants

Putting your plants in a pretty pot will make your decor look fabulous. However, you need to make sure that the plants have enough room to grow, or else they could become root-bound and die.

As your plant gets larger, you can expect to re-plant it in a larger pot. Tropical trees that are made to grow indoors will need a much bigger pot than things like the African violet, which typically maintains its small size over time.

Watch your plants closely to make sure they're getting enough room as they flourish. Change pots to bigger ones at least once a year if your indoor plant grows to be larger than expected.

Whatever style pot you choose, it should always have drain holes at the bottom. These holes allow excess water to drain out so your plant doesn't get root rot. Too much water can cause mold and disease, so drain holes are a must.

Protect your furniture with saucers placed underneath each pot. These small saucers are inexpensive and can be made of plastic or terra cotta. You'll want to be sure to use them wherever you put indoor plants on shelves or furniture so the items don't get stained.

Have some fun with the pots you choose and mix things up by using different colors, designs, and materials. A metallic pot looks awesome in modern spaces, while a ceramic pot with a colorful design is a cute option for almost any style home.

Watering Tips

Depending on the type of indoor plants you use, you'll need to make sure they are being watered as required. In general, your potting soil should always be moist, but never wet.

Too much water can damage your plant's roots and may also stunt its growth. Of course, under watering houseplants is also unhealthy, so it's important to try and maintain a good moisture balance.

Any indoor plant with thick leaves will require more water than houseplants that have thin, almost see-through leaves. The amount of water you give the plant will also depend on your climate. For example, if you live in a humid area, you'll likely water your plants less than if you live in a dry or arid climate.

The amount and frequency of water you give your plants will mostly depend on the type of plant you have. If you notice mold forming on your soil or see standing water near the bottom of the pot, you're probably overwatering.

Keep a close eye on the potting soil and if it looks light in color or starts cracking on the surface, it's time to water. Any plant in the succulent family needs to have a brief period of dryness before you water it again. Never let your indoor plants sit in standing water or it can kill them.

More Watering Hacks

One quick and easy way to check the water levels for your houseplants is to stick your finger directly into the soil. If you can poke your finger in up to your knuckle, you can tell how damp the soil is.

If the potting soil feels damp, you can probably wait to water the plant for another day or two. If it feels dry, it's time to give your plant a fresh drink right away.

Be aware of signs of distress in your plant. If they have discoloration of the leaves, slow or no growth of new leaves, dead or falling leaves, or signs of rot, your plant will need some extra TLC.

Slow growth, brown and dried edges of leaves, and lower leaves become curled or yellow means your plant is dehydrated. Over time, you'll be able to adapt an easy watering schedule that works for your specific plants.

Pruning and Pest Control

To help your indoor plants flourish and grow, regular pruning is key. If you don't prune your plant, it could grow out of control or experience root growth that's faster than normal.

Try to prune your plants regularly to keep them healthy and at a reasonable size. Cut off dead branches and stems, and prune the plants at the leaf node at a 45-degree angle. This will promote fuller growth and keep the plant healthy and strong.

Even though your plants are living indoors, they're not immune to nasty pests. Tiny bugs can attack your plants and infiltrate your home if you're not careful.

Use a product called insecticidal soap and spray the entire plant with it. Make sure you include the underside and top of the leaves and the stem.

Give the spray about two weeks to work, then repeat once more just to make sure all the pests are gone. This product can help kill any eggs to prevent new pests from appearing.

To safely remove pests that you see, simply wipe them away with a damp paper towel. You can also dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently remove them from the plant.

Popular Plants for Your Home

With so many indoor plants being sold today, it's tough to decide which ones will look great and live in your home. The dracaena is one of the most beloved indoor plants, and it helps to clean the air quite effectively. This plant grows fast, but it's also extremely easy to care for.

Succulents are definitely popular and add character to your space. Remember that succulents require a lot of natural light, but they're a beautiful addition to any room.

Croton is a great option if you want some bold color in your home. These unique indoor plants boast dark green, orange, and yellow leaves and thrive in warm, humid environments.

Lucky bamboo is an adorable addition to your space, and they're extremely easy to care for. As long as this bamboo gets adequate water, it will thrive indoors for a long time to come.

With thick, dark green leaves, the snake plant is found in almost any environment. Thanks to its bold look and super low maintenance, this plant is a fantastic choice for your home or office.

Palms are a fabulous way to bring a bit of the tropics indoors. The fan palm and majesty palm are two common choices that add greenery and whimsy to any room.

Beautify Your Home with Plants

From the trusty pothos to the flowering peace lily, indoor plants bring beauty and color to your home. As long as you understand the proper care for your plants, they should reward you for years to come.

Check the soil frequently for the proper water levels, and make sure your plants get the sunlight they need. Practice good pruning habits and pest control, and your plants will flourish.

Visit our website for a stunning selection of plants, and contact us today with any questions or for more information about our incredible succulents.