5+ Common Mistakes That Are Killing Your Houseplants
Does it seem like you are constantly throwing away plants? Do you feel like whatever you bring home, it just can’t survive? Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you don’t have a green thumb. After all, we all start out somewhere. However, in order to have happy and healthy houseplants, it’s not all about knowing what to do, but also what not to do. Here are some common mistakes that may be killing your houseplants.
Keep your houseplants happy by avoiding these mistakes
Mistakes That Are Killing Your Houseplants
Houseplants are amazing. They bring a piece of nature into your home, they can bring happiness and love, they can help you sleep better, and even purify the air! And to top it all off, they look breathtaking. Having houseplants brings joy, however that positive experience can quickly turn sour when they start to die. That’s why today we are going to take a look at some mistakes to avoid if you want your plants to thrive.
Having houseplants brings joy, however that positive experience can quickly turn sour
#Over or Under Watering
Both can happen quite easily. Very few plants need to be watered every day. The truth is most plants do well with just one watering per week, and some even less. Some common cultivars such as cacti, succulents, and florae originate from hot regions meaning that they really don’t need much water. However, they are usually the ones to go first from overwatering at home. A good rule of thumb to knowing when to water your plants is to stick your finger at least 2 inches deep into the dirt. If the dirt is sticking to you, then the plant still doesn’t need to be watered. If it’s dry, then water it. It’s best to check what your plant recommendations are beforehand to know how to correctly water them. On the other end of the spectrum is under-watering. Plants will show you when you aren’t giving them enough water. They will droop and leaves will start turning yellow and wilt. Learn your plant’s needs are water based on them.
Very few plants need to be watered every day
#Wrong Placement
In order for a plant to thrive it needs the right conditions. So, before taking home a plant, it’s important to research if you can provide it with the right environment. How much light does it need? Do you have enough space on the windowsill? Some plants may thrive in shady places, while others won’t be able to grow. Some prefer a humid placement, such as the bathroom, while others love dry climates. It’s important to position your plant somewhere it will feel good and grow to its full potential. The wrong placement will quickly kill a plant.
Before taking home a plant, research if you can provide it with the right environment
#Using Leaf Spray
Using leaf shine spray is a quick way to sentence your houseplant to death. These sprays make your plant’s leaves shiny, in a plastic shiny way. And while shiny leaves may sound appealing and give a certain clean feel to your plants, it’s terrible for their health. Since plants breathe through their leaves, when you use such sprays, you are basically suffocating them. And while manufactured shine sprays are bad, homemade ones aren’t better. Don’t wipe down your leaves with mayonnaise or olive oil. All it will do is bring you pest infestation. Just wipe your leaves down with a damp cloth and enjoy their natural glow. If you want shiny plants, just get some fake ones.
Just wipe your leaves down with a damp cloth and enjoy their natural glow
#Lack of Root Space
Plants go through growth spurts which means they need plenty of space to go. Once a plant has grown too big for its pot, it becomes root-bound or pot-bound. The roots start to twist and curl in and around themselves. This compromises the plant’s health. If you start to see that roots have started to poke out of the bottom of the pot, that the plant has stopped growing and that there are more roots than soil, it’s time to repot. Otherwise, the plant will die. When you repot the plant, make sure you loosen and get rid of as much old dirt as you can from the main roots. Then put it in a bigger pot.
Once a plant has grown too big for its pot, it becomes root-bound or pot-bound
#Constant Relocating
Plants adapt to their surrounding, so any time you move them to another location they tend to become stressed as they need to learn to adapt and readjust all over again. Kind of like humans. If your plant is doing fine in the spot you placed it, then why move it around? Try to keep plants moving down to a minimum, so you don’t stress them out too much.
Any time you move plants to another location they tend to become stressed
These were some common mistakes you might be making that are killing your houseplants. We hope you found this article useful. Now you know what to avoid, and you’ll have happier, healthier houseplants!
These were some common mistakes you might be making
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