Upgrade Your Apartment With Inexpensive, Temporary Decor

Posted on: 19 May 2016

Many people love the way that a live plant can add beauty to an interior living space. However, even though plants are beautiful and help promote clean air within a space, they must receive proper care in order to thrive.

Most people have witnessed the demise of a houseplant. Drooping or falling leaves, mold or insects on an indoor plant can indicate that the plant is dying. Here are a few things that you can do to help keep your house plants in optimal condition:

Don't over or under-water.

Many houseplants die due to a lack or overabundance of moisture. Plants with thick leaves or hefty roots don't require as much watering because they have the ability to store moisture more easily. In addition, plants that are located in high-humidity areas of your home, such as your bathroom, may require less watering.  

Plants that are young and growing may need additional water to thrive. Also, plants in rooms that have a great amount of natural light or those with huge leaves should be watered more often.

The type of container in which an indoor plant is housed can also affect moisture levels. Containers made of clay may leach water from the soil, due to the porous consistency of the material. Likewise, planters that are nonporous, such as metal, plastic or enamel-coated containers, can make it easy to over-water.

In addition, if a planter does not contain holes or moisture vents in the bottom of the container to allow excess water to escape, place a layer of small rocks at the bottom of the container to act as a drainage system. The excess moisture can collect there and be absorbed as needed by the plants. If you use a planter without drainage holes, you will likely need to water your indoor plants less frequently.

How can you determine the moisture levels within a planter?

There are several ways to determine moisture levels inside a planter. Here are a few"

• Use a moisture-reading meter. These little meters can often be purchased a local nursery and will display whether or not your plant' soil is too wet, too dry or moist.
• Stick your finger into the soil to feel how moist the soil is. Over time, you will grow accustomed to the feeling of moist soil instead of wet or dry.

Discourage a pest infestation.

Some insects, such as aphids, may have an affinity for your house plants. To avoid an infestation that could damage your plants, use a plant-safe insecticide. You can even make your own.

Homemade insecticides for your plants can include water mixed with cayenne pepper, dish detergent or even spices, such as basil, rosemary or mint, mixed with water. The leaves of the plant may need to be lightly sprayed with the insecticide regularly, but be sure to test the mixture on a small area of the leaves before regular use. 

To learn more ways to care for your indoor plants properly, consult with an indoor plant company in your local area, like Indoor Eden.