While we love the idea of filling our homes with lush greenery, the reality is that we often struggle to keep plants alive. We talk to Gisele Zanier, founder of Beyond Sunflowers, about how to keep our indoor plants happy.
When gardening indoors it’s important to take into consideration the following points:
1. Do I have the right light? Different pot plants thrive in different light, so make sure you tailor your indoor garden to the right lighting needs.
2. Some plants are poisonous to animals (such as peace lilies) – so check these details about your chosen plants before bringing them into the home.
3. Your plant’s needs. A lot of plants are seasonal, so your greenthumb work needs to extend into the off-season. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what is required to care for your plant.
Tips on looking after indoor plants
Make sure you position pot plants around the home according to their necessary light levels and temperatures. Some plants thrive in the colder temperatures, whereas some need light.
Do not over-water your plants. While you think you might be doing them a favour, some pot plants only require a small amount of water and too much can drown them.
Be aware of the types of diseases your indoor plants can catch. For example, indoor palms can catch mealy bugs. To avoid this, wipe down the palm leaves and spray a palm safe insecticide.
5 tips to keep your plants healthy
- Keep soil moist with regular but light watering. Keep a tray to catch any excess water below to avoid over-watering them.
- Make sure your plants have the right air supply, especially if they are kept inside. They not only need fresh air to grow but it also helps reduce disease.
- Fertilise every one to two months depending on your plant. Always make sure you have information about your plant as so many indoor plants vary.
- Keep an eye out for bugs. If you notice any bugs on your plants, remove them. Get rid of any dead leaves to prevent disease.
- Repot your plants every one to two years depending on how quickly they grow. This will help your plants thriving and growing.
