Something hits in adulthood that I like to call “plant fever.” Suddenly you’re noticing houseplants everywhere and can’t stop looking up Fiddle Leaf Figs on Pinterest. Every millennial has at least one plant. Of course, I’ve had plant fever my whole life. And, what’s not to love? Houseplants are an easy way to bring beauty and character to any room! For many starting on their plant-journey, they’ll find two things: 1) plants are expensive and 2) plants die within a matter of weeks. What gives?
I’ve been testing and taming my own thriving indoor jungle for a long time. While each plant is going to vary on what kind of care it needs, here are a few beginner-tips for happy, domestic plants.
1) Buy Cheap Plants
It’s tempting to go to the aesthetically pleasing nurseries with expensive pottery and exotic plant finds. However, with your first few buys, I highly recommend picking up some cheaper plants. Head to a larger gardening center to find some of the more popular plants for a lower price. You’re learning, so if you make mistakes and send a cheap plant to the big nursery in the sky, you won’t be out too much money. As you become more experienced, support local nurseries and get some wild guys!
2) Drainage Holes
There are so many cute pots in existence, I could cry. It takes every ounce of my strength to not buy every single pot I encounter. But I’ve created one rule to live by when choosing pots to buy: drainage holes must be present or easily able to be drilled in. Plant roots don’t like sitting in water, so having proper drainage is necessary. Saucers are a good plus to let the water drain into while keeping your floors and furniture safe.
3) Light & Water
It can be frustrating finding the right combo for light and water, but that is really the key to keeping plants healthy and happy. Check what kind of lighting you have around your home, and plan to keep regular with watering.
4) Love & Attention
Maybe I’m a big hippie, but giving my plants love and attention has shown a significant amount of difference in their health. Stability is seriously important for their growth, so being mindful of their placement, watering, and how they are looking is going to help you make the proper adjustments needed.
5) Do Research
This may not be glamorous, but each plant is going to have individual needs. They range from super easy to mega hard to care for, so keeping on top of the knowledge is going to be your best tool.
So, there you have it! A basic overview of what you’ll get into as a plant owner. Keeping these things in mind will put you on the right path to happy plants. So, go forth and build your jungle!
Until next time!
Mercedes Simonion