Ten Golden Rules to Houseplant Care

Mar 25, 2010

By Kathleen Lang, Lanark County Master Gardeners

Don’t drown them – roots need air as well as water – keeping soil soaked at all times means certain death for most plants.

Give them a Rest – Beginners are usually surprised to learn that nearly all plants need a rest in winter, which means less water, less feeding and less heat than in the active growing season.

Accept the loss of ‘temporary’ plants. Some popular gift plants such as cyclamen, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and gloxinias will die down in a matter of weeks. You’ve done nothing wrong, this is a normal life cycle for these types of plants.

Give them extra humidity – The atmosphere of a centrally-heated room in winter is as dry as desert air. Increase humidity by misting the plant, grouping plants together, or using pebble trays or water reservoirs.Treat trouble promptly. Expert or beginner, trouble will strike sometime. One or two scale insects are easily picked off; an infestation may be incurable. Overwatering is not fatal at first, but kills when prolonged.Group them together. Nearly all plants look better when grouped or arranged together.Learn to repot. After a year or two, most plants begin to look sickly; in many cases the plant simply needs repotting into a larger container.

Choose wisely. The plant must be able to flourish in the home you provide for it. Even the most expert gardeners can’t make a shade-lover survive in a spot getting direct sunlight.

Have the proper tools –

a watering can with a long, narrow spouta misting bottlea bottle of liquid (or water soluable) fertilizera safe pest killer (Safer’s insecticidal soap)a soft spongean old spoon and fork from the kitchensmall-sized secateursa collection of pots, stakes, plant ties, drip traysa bag of good potting soil.

Check the plant’s specific needs. A good house plant reference guide will help you identify your plant and provide you with its specific needs.

All your gardening questions can be submitted and answered on our website at www.lanarkmastergardeners.mgoi.ca