Aside from the aesthetic value plants provide your home with, there are also health benefits - grade school science class tells us that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen. Here is some important information on how to care for your indoor plants to gain the optimum health and aesthetic benefits.
Lighting
Most indoor plants need good lighting. You can provide this through natural lighting in the room of your choice or there must be electric lighting. Darker leaved plants usually don't need as much light as others.
Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:
a. Philodendrons
b. Boston ferns
c. African violets
d. Cyclamens
e. Creeping Fig
Watering
A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to rotting roots. Make sure to research the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.
Potting
Choose good quality and attractive container for your indoor plants. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and to encourage healthy growth.
Humidity
In indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue. The amount of moisture in the air has effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much-needed moisture. Make sure the leaves don't get covered in dust.
Fertilization
Just like watering, fertilizing depends on the type of plant. If you have managed to supply your indoor garden with the right amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention. A good indoor fertilizer can be bought from most home depot or hardware stores. Orchids need the special fertilizer available.
Putting Houseplants Outside for the Summer
When the weather warms in the spring, houseplants can be put outside. Don't be too anxious to move your houseplants outdoors, even a good chill can knock the leaves off tender plants. Monitor houseplants spending the warm months outside. Move plants to calmer spots if leaves are being wind damaged. If pots dry out rapidly, move plants into some protection from wind or shade, or repot if needed.
Pruning Houseplants
In addition to shaping plants and removing yellowed and withered leaves, pruning encourages low-growing foliage, which makes plants fuller and more attractive. Lightly prune houseplants regularly during their active growth, but leave hard pruning for spring and fall.
How to Prune Houseplants
Always use sharp scissors or pruning shears that wont crush stems or leave jagged edges, which can invite disease.
1. To shape lightly during the growing season, snip off withered or yellowed stems, spent flower heads, and elongated or overzealous growth. After pruning shaggy outer parts, probe inside the plant and remove hidden dieback there.
2. To encourage denser, more compact growth in spring and fall, snip stems just above a new leaf or leaf node. Prune heavily in spring, when plants can rebound during growth season, or in fall to prepare plants for winter.
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