10 Of The Most Common Mistakes Houseplant Parents Make
Whether you’re a new plant-parent, or have been tending to indoor plants for a while now, we all make mistakes! It’s part of the learning process.
That doesn’t mean we can’t share those mistake and others. So – here’s the 10 most common mistakes people make when buying and caring for their houseplants.
Overwatering
This is the most common killer of houseplants. Many plants will come with a recommended watering schedule, but the best option is to only water when needed. Always check the soil before watering.
Judging a plant based on its looks
Many people buy a plant based on how it looks. Forgetting that each plant has different light and care requirements.
Getting a pretty plant and popping in a shelf doesn’t always mean they will survive.
Forgetting about temperature changes
Most plants like consistency. Any fluctuations the temperature around them can cause stress to your plants. This includes draughts from doors and windows, as well as increased heat from radiators. There are a few plants which don’t mind too much – so keep an eye out for those if you’re looking for a plant to pop by the front door.
Buying too many plants in one go
It is easy to get carried away and buy all the plants in one hit. But this can be overwhelming and time consuming when it comes to remembering their needs and care requirements. Getting a few at a time and letting them settle before buying more is a great way to steadily build a collection of happy, healthy houseplants.
Plants get hungry too
Don’t forget to feed your plants, whether this is with fertilizer or with an annual change of soil. Either way your plants will love your for it and will thrive.
Repotting
This is one of the most common questions I’m asked – “does it need a repot when I get home?”. The answer is always “no”.
Repotting does not always mean moving your plant into a bigger planter ― sometimes it simply means changing your plant’s potting mix to provide it with new nutrients from fresh mix. If it has outgrown its current pot, upsizing should be a gradual process throughout the years. You do not want your plant swimming in potting mix, this can lead to so many issues for your plant including root rot.
Placing them in the wrong light
Sometimes the temptation can be to put plants in a windowsill – but not all plants like bright light, especially if it is a south-facing window.
Checking the light requirements of your plant before picking where to pop it in the home will help your plant thrive.
Potting directly into a decorative pot
The plastic nursery pots your plants come in are there to help with drainage and overall care. It is tempting to report your plant into a decorative ceramic pot as it looks nicer, but the trick is to get a decorative pot which fits your nursery pot perfectly so that the nursery pot can’t be seen.
Don’t forget to check your plant’s health
Taking a good look at your plant every now and then for signs of pests and diseases means you can catch them early and treat them. This may be things like Root Rot, Fungus or pests such as Thrips.
Blaming yourself.
Plants die! It’s a fact. Don’t be hard on yourself if it happens. It is how we learn and develop your green-thumbs. No one was born a plant expert, but with experience and some research, you can become a full fledged and successful plant parent.
