Houseplant Essentials

It is a difficult task to keep your indoor plants healthy. Therefore it will make a big difference if you chose those plants that could easily adapt to the indoor environment such as lesser light, heat and water.

It is not uncommon for plants to grow much slower indoors than they would outdoors. Many plants are known to stop growing or showing sign of development or change from fall to winter.

Indoor plants have different needs compared to outdoor plants and this means that they should not be “killed with kindness” either.

It is necessary to control the temperature indoors for the plants to thrive. It is recommended to keep the temperature between 60 degrees to 70 degrees F during the daytime and 55 to 65 degrees during the night.

It is advisable to keep the plants away from a drafty location as this could lead to the plants drying. Instead of keeping your plants in direct sunlight, it will do them good to keep them in a place that gets adequate light but not directly from the sun.

The varying changes in the day and night temperature will only damage the plants.

In the winter, the indoor environment gets a lot drier than the summer. This adversely affects the plants. Therefore it is advised to ‘spray bathe’ the plants twice a week to keep them healthy.

Finally, a word about watering the plants: Tap water from your home is not good for your plants. You should store the water in a container and use it for watering the plants after keeping it for a day or two. This will help dissipate the Chlorine which damages the plant.

Household plants are used to add beauty to the indoor environment. The term “household plants” does not mean that the plants have to be in a home, they cold be used to decorate a hotel, lobby or an office as well. A lot of care needs to be taken of these plants and prevent pests from infecting the plants.

Plants are usually infected with pests when they are put outdoors for sunlight or they may come infected with mites, insects or their eggs.

Many pests are easy to get rid of with non-chemical means, however, if you are having a problem with your household plants being attached by pests you could get an insecticide spray that is quite easy to use and rids the plant of the pests in a couple of days.

It is always better to prevent infection rather than let it happen and then look for a cure. It is always better to inspect plants before you purchase them.

Even after you examine the plants it is possible for you to get a plant with a disease or pest infestation. So when you get a plant to the house or office, keep it isolated for a couple of weeks to observe any infection. This will prevent the pest from infecting the other plants as well.

To prevent pests from infecting your plants it is best to insect them periodically and spray the plants with fresh clean water regularly. Never use a feather duster to clean the plants; this is a sure way of transferring insects to the plant.

Spray your plants at least once every two months.

Though humidity is rarely found in the house, it is always good to keep an eye out for a plant that is being affected by humidity. If you notice rot, mildew or mold, it is time to get some ventilation in the area or else lose your precious indoor plants.

Contrary to high humidity low humidity could also adversely affect the plants by sapping them of their water content faster than they can replenish it.

Some of the signs of low humidity are brown leaves, wilting, buds dropping, and low humidity which is especially prevalent during the winter months, especially if it is too cold and you use heaters in the house.

If you follow the few ways to regulate the humidity at proper levels you will have a beautiful and healthy indoor collection of plants.

• Do not keep to a schedule to water plants. Check the soil in the pot before adding water. Water when you feel it is necessary not because it is time to water the plants.

• Use a mixture of soil and fertilizer that will hold water for longer periods. A sandy mixture will allow water to drain out easily.

• For low humidity, install an electric humidifier to raise the humidity level and a dehumidifier if the humidity level is too high.

• Keep plants in a place that is free from a draft. Such a location is bound to dry the plant.

• If you have many small pots of plants or flowers, make a large tray and fill it with marbles or pebbles. This will keep the pot above the water and the evaporating water will rise and wet the plants.

In the end, you will notice by regulating humidity levels you will have healthier plants.

When it comes to choosing indoor plants there is no dearth of the variety you can select from. We will list some of the plants that can liven up your indoors and are easy to maintain.

It will pay, however, to keep in mind that any type of plant needs sunlight and will sooner or later begin to tilt toward the source of light. This will make them grow at an awkward angle and so you will need to rotate the direction so that the plant will grow straight up.

Some of the popular indoor plants include:

African Violets: These small potted plants are easy to grow and adapt well to the indoors. These plants blossom for about three weeks, however they need a lot of sunshine, so keep them on a windowsill.

However, avoid the heat of the sun or they will wither. These plants also need special fertilizer made especially for them. All green house stores keep a supply of it.

Begonias: You will find three kinds of Begonias; Tuberous, Perennial and Semperflorens. The most common of the Begonias are the Semperflorens and come in ever blooming and wax finishes.

Begonias are available in red, pink, yellow and white varieties and all have a very attractive yellow center.

Ivy: This variety of indoor climber makes for a very attractive indoor plant. Though this plant can survive for quite some time in a dark cornet of a room it will soon begin to demand its share of sunlight.

So if you plan to have this plant among your collectionb it is best to choose a place near a source of sunlight. Remember to add enough water to your ivy to make the water drip out of the bottom of the pot. Too little water will stunt the plant.

Some of the other popular plants are Cactus, Coleus, Amaryllis, Geraniums, Paper Whites, Poinsettia and a variety of rubber plants.

Gardening is a hobby many people love to bide their time with. It gives one a sense of accomplishment when they see their flowers or plants blooming after a few weeks or even months of tender loving care.

The plants also add to the aesthetics of the room and sooth the occupants of the home or office as well.

There are many forms of indoor gardening. You could have flower gardens, hanging gardens, vegetable gardens, fruit gardens and bonsai gardens.

As with the many types of indoor gardening there are indoor gardening tools available to help you make your indoor garden blossom even better. There are fertilizers, insecticides, implements and indoor gardening lights to substitute sunlight.

For those who do not have a place to garden outdoors there is always container gardening.

Containers are used to grow plants on windowsills or on the balcony of an apartment and are useful when it comes to moving the plants from place to place, be it to optimize sunlight or to redecorate the place.

Container gardening is also useful when you have to move from your home; you will not have to leave your beloved plants behind.

There are many designs, sizes and colors of containers and pots that can be used to grow indoor plants. Plastic containers are economical and last a lifetime, however, many people like to use hand crafted clay containers for their plants.

These containers are very attractive and give a very natural look to the place. Wooden containers made, much like barrels, are another good choice for indoor gardening containers.

Indoor gardening is a very satisfying pastime and there is a lot of advice out there for the beginner and even the seasoned gardener to learn from.

There are also scores of manufacturers offering implements ranging from the very basic to the most sophisticated for indoor gardening enthusiasts.

There are a few insects that infect a plant that grows indoors. When the symptoms of these infestations become known you should take immediate remedial action because failure to do so will allow the infestation to spread to the other plants and lead to complete destruction in short time.

The most common plant pest is the spider mites. These are a very serious problem for plants as they multiply very fast, lead to defoliate and kill the plant.

These mites belong to the family of ticks and spiders. Spider mites are yellow or green in color and cannot be seen easily. To check for presence of spider mites tap the leaf over a piece of white paper and check for very tiny movements on the paper. Remove them with an insecticide spray from your plant store.

Shell Insects appear like a small bump of wax on a stem or leaf. It is usually not possible to view these creatures without magnification, but when their numbers increase they make their presence known.

Shell insects stunt a plants growth and can even kill the plant in time. The only known solution is an insecticide spray.

Mealy Bugs are easily visible without having to magnify the pest. These insects look like they have come out of a sack of flour and have a long waxy protrusion from their tails.

These appear like small clusters of cotton on the plant. Check the under side of the leaves to notice these pests and when you do find them wash them off with water and spray with insecticide for plants. A couple of weeks of treatment and you will be rid of these pests.

Pests not only kill a plant in time, they are also very unsightly. A beautiful plant will become ugly and the whole purpose of decorating the place is defeated by plant pests.

Proper cleaning and regular spraying with insecticide will help prevent any kind of pest infection.

There are not just a few ways of propagating (or reproducing) plants, but many. A few of the most popular ways are explained below:

Sowing seeds.

Many houseplants can be reproduced by seeds. Seeds need three basic conditions for germination: moisture, warmth and air. A special seed compost soil can be purchased for this purpose. Most seeds germinate in darkness but a few need light. Look at the flower seed packet to determine which is which.

Plant seeds in small trays. If you plan to grow more than one type of plant, don’t plant the different seeds in the same potting tray.

Thin the seedlings once they are well established to prevent crowding, lack of growth and to provide good air circulation.

When the young plants are sturdy and growing strongly, transfer each of them into its own pot.

Dividing plants.

This is the easiest way to propagate plants. It is usually best to divide plants in the spring. When a plant gets too big for the pot that it is currently in, the roots become root-bound or crowded. This prevents the natural growth of the plant and it begins to die.

Here are the steps to take to divide a plant:

1. Remove the entire plant from the pot.

2. Using your fingers, pull the root apart being careful not to tear the root stems. Only cut through a root as a last resort if the root ball won’t pull apart.

3. Inspect the center of the root. If it appears old and the roots are woody, discard it.

4. Replant the separated plants, each into its own pot.

Layering

Layering is an easy, though slower, method of propagating many trailing and climbing houseplants that have flexible stemps - like ivy plants.

Long stems from the mother plant are secured with small pieces of wire into pots of potting compost. The stems are not cut from the parent plant until roots have formed from the potted plant shoot.

It’s best to layer plants in late spring and early summer while they are growing strongly.

Stem cuttings

Many plants can be reproduced by taking stem cuttings. Here’s how:

1. Use a sharp knife to cut a strong and healthy shoot from the mother plant, cutting it just above a leaf joint.

2. Push a dowel into a pot of compost soil and then insert the cut end of the stem 3/4 to 1 inch into the hole. Don’t bury any leaves since this will cause rotting.

3. Tap compost around the cutting and lightly water.

4. Cover the plant and pot with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect. (Use small dowels to keep the baggie from touching the plant.)

As I mentioned before, these are just a few of the many ways of propagating plants. Other ways include water rooting, whole leaf cuttings, leaf square cuttings and more.

No matter what kind of plant that you have, there is a way to propagate it.

There’s a large overlap between herbs that do well in an outdoor garden versus those that thrive inside. Many will perform equally well in either setting, provided they’re cared for properly.

Fortunately, herbs are just about the easiest possible plant to tend. Once planted in the proper soil, they’ll do well with almost no care. They perform well in earth that would be considered poor for other plants. They rarely require fertilizer of any kind, are drought tolerant and most will come back year after year.

That makes the choice easy for picking some to go out in the sunshine or into a pot for the house or deck.

Bay Laurel is a Mediterranean native so it likes lots of sunshine and dry conditions. But it can be planted indoors or out. Just make sure the container has good drainage if you want this herb in a pot. Allow it to get plenty of sun if it’s in or near the house.

Fill a pot with pre-dampened potting soil, and make sure the container is large enough to prevent the Bay Laurel from becoming root bound. Then place the herb where it will get 6 hours per day or more of sun and watch it outgrow your container in a year.

Chives can thrive in a pot, but they really excel in a garden. They soak up the heat and sprout up to a foot or more, producing beautiful purple flowers. They do well bunched together and can last years, wintering over well in cold climates. Clip the leaves near the base, rather than further up.

Parsley is an excellent choice for an indoor herb. Even though it will grow well outside, it will probably only last one season. Keep it in a pot and you can sustain it year after year. Easier to grow from plants than seeds, it will be easy to tend for.

New leaves grow from the center, so trim the outer ones first in order to keep the plant healthy. They love sun, so put them on a sill in a window with southern exposure (in the Northern Hemisphere) where they can soak up the rays.

Let that Lavender stay outside until you’re ready to prepare it for potpourri or a perfume sachet. It makes great ground cover and gives a garden a lovely smell to complement the beautiful pinkish-purple flowers.

Lavender requires very little care, just make sure the soil drains so it isn’t excessively wet. They’re bug-resistant and the deer don’t care for the blossoms so you won’t have to take special precautions. No need to fertilize or prune either.

Most herbs will winter well, and many will do just fine in a container or a basket. Just keep the soil a mixture of clay and sandy loam to ensure some water retention, but not too much. Indoors or out you’ll find they are lovely, aromatic and many make for great seasonings when harvested.

Many plants will do equally well indoor or out. But some thrive best in the protected environment of the house, while others won’t flourish unless they are in the elements. Anyone considering a bit of indoor gardening and decoration with houseplants will want to do a little research to find out which falls into which category.

Herbs in particular are famously adaptable. Provided they have adequate drainage and light, most can do well outdoors or in. But it’s still true that some are better suited if your heart is set on indoor plants.

Bay Laurel is a Mediterranean native that has adapted for poor soil and lots of sunshine. That’s an advantage and a caution for those considering it as an indoor plant. Some enthusiasts have a tendency to want to care a little too much for their indoor houseplants. That can lead to overwatering and excessive fertilizing. Go easy with those when planting Bay Laurel in a pot indoors.

Parsley does very well indoors, where in fact it thrives better than if it were planted outside. Like most herbs, it loves sun so make sure it’s near a window with lots of afternoon exposure.

Most Bonsai prefer the outdoors. But there are several species that adapt well to conditions in the house. In some climates those that would otherwise be considered outdoor plants will actually do better indoors.

Tropical bonsai can, as the name suggests, do very well outside - if you live in the tropics. But only a small range of latitudes get that Caribbean-like climate. If you live in a climate that dips below 50F/10C for more than a day or so, it’s best to keep your tropical bonsai indoors where conditions can be controlled.

Simulating tropical conditions inside can lead to discomfort, but need not. Just remember that hot and humid is the call for these plants. You need not mist the whole house, but lots of warmth and regular spray will help this type. Some bonsai pots have automatic misters that make the job super easy. Keep the plants out of direct sun, though. Even though they like the heat and sun, glass can act as a magnifier, overwhelming even these plants.

There are many ways to keep indoor plants healthy. Supplemental lights, and occasionally heat lamps, are great aids to indoor planting. Soil care kits are inexpensive and easy to use. But it’s essential to choose plants that thrive inside to begin with.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of having houseplants is the opportunity they provide for doing interior design. A home can be lovely with good furniture, fine table-top items and beautiful paintings. But adding indoor plants can expand the choices enormously while moving the decoration into a whole new dimension.

Pots come in all sizes, shapes, colors, designs and materials. A simple clay pot can provide a subtle earth color for a subdued design. A bright yellow ceramic can liven up a dark corner. A pattern in plastic, metal or wood can fold right in with the décor of a hallway or sunroom.

If you have lots of bonsai, for example, you may want to continue the oriental theme by providing several pots in red ceramic. If you have a complex of vines, you can go with a simple line carving on the pot to minimize distraction. If you have a flourishing Pitcher Plant or other carnivorous species, you can select something festooned with crocodile drawings to add humor to your design.

You can vary the effect even more by selecting containers of different shapes. Round pots convey solidity, while a long rectangular tray gives a feeling of motion because it encourages the eye to move along its length. Going with an asymmetrical shape shows the iconoclasm of the designer.

The type of flower you select will play into your color scheme. Bright yellows and reds will add lively splashes to an otherwise quiet room. Or, you can continue the soft atmosphere of your favorite reading spot by choosing a deep purple.

Even the size and shape of the flower comes into play when pondering over your interior decorating plan. Numerous, small, star-shaped blossoms can make for an active looking display. Large, bell-shaped orchids give a bold impression. You can select a species that is just ground cover with small flowers poking up. Or, you can go for a single blossom on a long green stalk to make a living sculpture.

The number and placement of plants is also a factor in the overall design.

A medium-sized room that has a dozen or more small pots placed at different levels gives a feeling of space in three dimensions. A single, larger plant in one corner draws the eye to that spot. A hanging basket draped from the ceiling has a different effect from a large pot pushing up from the floor.

By varying all the possible attributes - color, shape, place, size and so forth - you can tailor your indoor gardening efforts to the total design of your living space. Doing so combines the artificial, decorative elements that make for a personal touch with the living benefits of plants.