Indoor plants can bring so much life into each room of your home. They are an extension of your personal style. There is a reason I have tropical plants all over my home; the beach is my happy place and indoor plants make it so easy to incorporate that style into my home.
However, some of us have a problem–we can’t keep these beautiful plants alive! The disappointment of falling in love with a plant at your local garden center, only to watch it die before your eyes at home is a real thing, something I myself have experienced. Read On!
We are going to go over the 3 most common things that cause your indoor plants to die and tips to avoid these mistakes, hopefully giving you the confidence to bring home that Fiddle Leaf Fig you have had your eye on!
1. Direct or Indirect: Which Light Does Your Plant Need?
Plants need light to grow, how much and which type of light is dependent on the plant. Most plants like East or West facing windows, however, there are some that can thrive in low light. Do a little research before you buy that plant you’ve been eyeing and make sure you have a space in your home with adequate light for the plant ‘s needs.
2. Drainage Is Key
I sometimes get more excited about the pot I’m buying more than the plant itself. Anyone else? But, before you bring home that gorgeous mid-century pot, check for drainage holes. This is so important. Almost without exception, indoor plants need to be in a pot with good drainage. Many indoor plants are succepable to root rot, and the best way to avoid this is to repot the plant in a pot with drainage holes. TIP–place small rocks in the bottom of your pot to provide another layer of drainage for you plant.
3. Too Much H2O
Your indoor plants do not like to be treated like your outdoor plants. While your outdoor potted plants like water everyday, your indoor plants do not. Most indoor plants like their soil to dry out between waterings. This may take some getting used to, but try to get on a watering schedule with your indoor plants: every Monday or every other Monday water your indoor plants. The longer you have your indoor plants, the better you will get to know their watering needs. Check out this awesome graphic from A Pair & A Spare for a quick reference on the amount of light and water your indoor plant will need.
