My oldest recently bought me two amazing “plant lady” patio pillows for my birthday, so Mandy thank you for the awesome pillows and inspiring this post!
So, I like plants, but I was not always a good plant owner.
In fact, it has only been the last 10 or so years that I have not been a killer of all indoor plants.
I have learned which plants love light and what plants (hello pothos 😉 ) can handle some of the less sunny areas of our home.
So I have a simple four-step system for optimum plant health. It has been working too, as I have not lost a plant since Iggy the succulent in 2020. Not bad!
Step one– I stopped planting new plants in pots that are too big. The plant will naturally grow it’s root base before it’s above the soil foliage. That little plant will grow it’s roots out to the edges of the pot it’s in and once it does that, you will see foliage begin to grow.
So, I like to slowly bump up sizes as plants grow slowly so this does not happen. Now I see the foliage filling out much faster using this method.
Step two– I used to over-water my plants, once I started letting the soil get a little dry before I watered them I was surprised how well they responded! It will depend on your plants, climate, sun exposure etc… but I moved from every 7 days to every 10-ish days and I have seen a difference. Some plants like ferns love water more than other. I water my ferns about every five or 6 days. It sounds like a lot but it becomes a very easy routine.
Step three– Some plants love sun and some can hang out in less sunny areas and do great. I had a beautiful fern in our entry way that does not have a lot of natural light. It almost died but by adjusting the watering schedule and moving it to this sunny spot above she came back stronger than ever!
Step four– fertilizing. This has been a tough one for me as I was worried (once I started keeping them alive) that I would do it wrong. I have found that as long as I am conservative with fertilizing that it works great to support the plant and help it thrive.
There are a lot of organic fertilizers out there but I found that I ran out of them pretty fast and it seemed like it was getting a little expensive. I did some research and found that I already have on hand and use daily the very ingredients I need to make my own fertilizer!
Some folks crush up clean, dry eggshells or even lay a banana peel on top of the soil for their plants. Our dog would quickly find these and honestly I was worried about the smell. I love composting and am happy to pepper the garden with wilted lettuce and eggshells, I was not so sure about it inside.
I have found the most low-odor fertilizer to be a mix of coffee grounds, green tea grounds and water. Yep, that’s it!
Mix them together in a jar (6 cups of water to about a cup of grounds) and leave them in the pantry for a week. Then you just strain the grounds out and add some of the “tea” to my water when I water my plants. I use about a half to one cup of the mixture to a gallon of water. I know some people like to fertilize once a month but I have found every couple of months or even quarterly works well too. The nitrogen and high nutrient content of the tea makes happy plants. Which makes people happy, and that is my favorite 🙂
I would love to hear your plant hacks and tips! Drop a comment below and please share this on social media so we can help others have happy plants too 🙂
Thank you for reading friend, until next time!
xo, Tanya
9 Responses
Your plants look happy and healthy! Thanks for the tips, especially about overwatering. I think I’m guilty of over-watering my houseplants.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Thank you so much Carol! I am sure the overwatering was the main issue with my plants for a long time 🙂
We water on the 1st and 15th for the succulents and sometimes follow that rule for the other plants, and it seems to work!!!
Hi Donna! That is a great schedule! I love that you have chosen specific days 🙂
I absolutely love your four-step system for happy houseplants, Tanya! It’s a fantastic guide for both beginner and experienced plant parents.
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of talking to plants, and your story about Ganesh Babu’s connection with his plants is truly inspiring. It seems that a bit of love, care, and perhaps a gentle conversation can work wonders for our green companions.
I’ve also found that light and humidity are crucial factors in plant health. Ensuring that plants receive adequate sunlight, whether natural or artificial, can significantly impact their growth and vitality. Additionally, maintaining appropriate humidity levels, especially for tropical plants, can help prevent issues like dry leaf tips and slow growth.
I’ve been experimenting with DIY plant food using a mixture of banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds. It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to nourish plants. I also like to use worm castings as a natural fertilizer, as they are rich in nutrients and improve soil structure.
One tip I’d like to share is the importance of quarantining new plants. Before introducing a new plant to your collection, it’s wise to isolate it for a few weeks to ensure it’s free of pests and diseases. This helps protect your existing plants and prevents the spread of any potential problems.
I’m eager to hear more about your plant care journey and any other tips you may have. Let’s continue to share our experiences and help each other create thriving indoor jungles! 🌿🌱
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