Houseplants

What is a Houseplant?

Any growing indoor plant can be a houseplant. Each plant’s care requirements vary based on its natural habitat. The information in this blog is generalized and may not work for all indoor plants. To ensure your indoor plants receive the best care regardless of their species, always look into the individual plant’s specific care requirements and native environment.

General Care

Many houseplants are considered “exotic” or aren’t native to the location they’re sold in. Typically, these houseplants are jungle plants or prefer warm climates, which we can easily recreate in the home. 

1. Light

While many houseplants do well with indirect sunlight, light levels vary depending on the species. A houseplant that isn’t getting enough sunlight will appear “leggy” and have thinner stems and drooping leaves. The plant will also appear discolored, turning either pale green or yellow-green.

2. Water

Succulents and cacti are often a special case because they don’t need water often. Houseplants will need a routine watering schedule to thrive. A general rule of thumb is to monitor your soil’s moisture levels with either your finger or a moisture meter and water when the soil gets dry. Some plants need more water than others, so always look into how much water your plant needs before you water it.

3. Soil

Soil requirements once again vary based on your plant’s natural environment, and some may need sandier soil or more acidic soil, or even no soil to grow comfortably. A general potting soil is easy to modify for specific needs and works best for most houseplants.

4. Temperature and Humidity

Most, if not all, plants that do well indoors need temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the home. On the other hand, humidity levels may vary from plant to plant. To help control humidity in your home, we recommend using a humidifier or dehumidifier.

5. Fertilizer

For fertilizer, your plant’s natural environment will once again play a major role in which nutrients are high-priority. Always look into your houseplant’s fertilizer needs before choosing a fertilizer at the store! 

Potting and Repotting

If you’re used to repotting succulents, the process for houseplants isn’t too different. There are always a few constants to keep in mind while you repot, including growing season, soil type, and pot type. Houseplants tend to grow faster than succulents do, so you may need to repot them once a year instead of once every couple of years.

When you repot any plant, it’s always best to do so during the growing season (if you can help it). This will help reduce transplant shock and allow the plant extra time and energy to heal any damage. Go with the soil mix you’ve previously used for your soil choice– making batches in advance for your plants is an excellent way to prepare for repotting! Finally, your pot choice will vary depending on your plant’s drainage requirements. Succulents typically need high-drainage soil and porous pots made from concrete, terracotta, or ceramic to provide optimal drainage. However, some indoor plants like lucky bamboo require pots with absolutely no drainage, made from glass or metal.

Blooming

The best part about your houseplants blooming is that it won’t kill them. Unlike many succulents, houseplants aren’t typically monocarpic, and their blooming period is often a lot longer than the few weeks your succulents will be in bloom. Flowering houseplants, like the Kalanchoe and Anthurium, show their brightest colors during their blooming seasons. To ensure your indoor plants bloom, you can do a few things: first, slightly increase the amount of light your plant receives– this will mimic the longer days in springtime– and add a bit of fertilizer. The extra nutrients will give your plants plenty of energy to blossom and grow.

Propagation

Unlike succulents, it’s a bit more difficult to propagate a houseplant. You’ll need to take cuttings directly from your plant during the growing season for houseplants. If you prune your houseplants, this is the perfect time to take cuttings– just be careful as you trim and use a pair of clean, sharp scissors or a knife.