My sister has a houseplant obsession- last time I visited her, she had no fewer than 20 houseplants in her kitchen and living room! Indoor plants are a popular addition to any home, and research shows that they actually offer both physical and psychological benefits like mood improvement, stress relief, increased concentration, and visual appeal. Taking proper care of houseplants can range in difficulty depending on what plants you wish to have, but there are a few good guidelines to use no matter what.
First and foremost, get familiar with the type of houseplants you’re interested in having. All plants have different preferences in terms of care, so make sure you match your experience and ability to the plant you’re interested in. A major consideration when selecting a type of plant is the amount of light it requires. Most commonly, indoor plants need between 12-16 hours of light per day. Depending on your living situation, you may or may not be able to meet that requirement. When you don’t meet light requirements, the plants grow “leggy”, or long internodes between leaves, and smaller leaves. Artificial or supplemental lighting may be needed for some situations.
In addition to light, house plants need appropriate water and humidity. Again, water demand will vary based on the type of plant you purchase. For most plants, a good rule of thumb is to place a finger in the soil up to the first knuckle- if it is damp at that depth, you should not water the plant. If it is dry, the plant needs to be watered. It is better to water plants less frequently but more deeply. A battery-operated moisture meter can be used to help determine when plants need to be watered. Over time, fertilizer salts and salts from water sources can accumulate in plant pots. Every so often, you should water your plant until water runs freely out of the drainage holes in the bottom- a process called leaching. This can help prevent issues due to salts in the soil.
Humidity is also critical for houseplants, particularly in the winter when the heat is running. A common sign of low humidity is the browning and withering of foliage. Bathrooms and kitchens tend to be more humid and may be good locations for plants who need additional humidity. If those places aren’t an option, a spray bottle can be used to mist the leaves of the plants each morning.
Sometimes houseplants will need to be repotted. Typically, we recommend doing this in the spring. Choose containers with drainage holes that are 1-2” larger than the existing pot. Selecting a pot that is too large can cause unnecessary stress to the plant. When repotting, be sure to use an appropriate potting mix for the plant, which usually will contain enough nutrients that fertilization is unnecessary. Follow the instructions on your potting mix as to when you should fertilize that plant next, typically late summer and early fall.
Finally, keep an eye out for any pest or disease issues. Don’t purchase plants that look unhealthy. Should you wind up with an issue in your houseplants, contact your local extension agent for help managing the problem. If you’d like a quick recommendation on good starting plants- I like Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) and Peace lily (Spathiphyllum). Snake plants are really hardy and Peace lilies are very dramatic- characteristics that make these pretty easy to maintain.
