Indoor Plant Care

Indoor Plant Care

While I don't get into the "fad" plants, I do grow plenty of reliable indoor staples like Pothos and Philodendrons.  These I group with all my "general" indoor plants because they are adaptable, but they still need the right start to thrive in a home environment.

Settling In Your New Arrivals.

If your plant arrived bare-rooted, the first step is to get it back into a pot of soil as soon as possible.

• The Mix: A good potting mix with some extra pumice is always a good idea to keep things free-draining.

• The First Drink: If your soil is dry, go ahead and water the plant in. Let it drain thoroughly before moving it to its permanent spot.

• Patience: Once it's potted, leave it alone to adjust to its new surroundings. Only rewater it once the soil has dried out again.

Finding the Right Spot

When choosing where your plant will live, consider what type of plant it is:

• The "General" Rule: A Pothos is happy with indirect light, but a succulent-type indoor plant will require a much brighter spot to stay looking its best.

• Things to Avoid: Indoor plants can be sensitive to the "unnatural" climate of a house. Keep them away from strong drafts, air-conditioners, direct heat sources (like fireplaces or heaters), and the harsh, magnified light coming through a glass window.

Watering: The Finger Test

Indoor plants often die from "over-loving." Because they aren't exposed to the wind or the sun, they take much longer to dry out than plants in the tunnel house. Always check the soil with your finger—if it’s still damp, leave the watering can alone.

Propagation.

Most indoor plants are easy enough to grow from cuttings if you follow a few basic rules.

• The Node: Ensure your cutting has at least one "node" (the little bump where a leaf meets the stem), as this is where the roots will emerge.  Two nodes are even better—you can bury one under the soil and leave the other above.

• The "Nursery" Method: I personally plant most of my cuttings straight into soil to avoid that "transition slump" they have when transferred from water.   A great trick is to pot your cuttings up and sit them on a bed of damp pumice inside a plastic box with a lid.

• Humidity & Heat: Keeping the pumice just damp allows the cuttings to soak up what they need, and the lid provides the extra humidity to help them along.   It essentially replicates how the big nurseries do it with heat mats and misting systems.

• Clear Pots: While people like them for the "look," they go against my growing logic.   Plants don't generally grow roots towards the light, so I stick to traditional pots where the roots can stay in the dark.