Houseplants are becoming increasingly popular, and rightfully so—from unique plants to fun and quirky containers, they are a great addition to your home décor. How do you know what plants will grow well in your home? Follow these tips for success.
Selecting the right houseplant is very similar to selecting a plant for the yard. It is important to know how much light and space you have in your home. Additionally, you may want to combine houseplants and design an indoor garden space using color, texture, and form. Selecting a plant based on the conditions in your home will start you off on the right path. Use Gardening Solutions to find the right houseplant for you.
Next, select a container that has drainage holes. Indoors, you will want to place a saucer under the container to catch excess water and prevent furniture damage.
Watering can be tricky when it comes to houseplants. The questions “how much?” is based on the needs of the individual plant. It is important to know what the plant needs by doing a little research. For example, a maidenhair fern needs continually moist soil, where an orchid likes to dry out in between waterings. When watering, apply water until excess drains out of the bottom. Make sure that you empty the saucer as it drains, or water plants outdoors or in the bathtub.
Maintenance requirements of houseplants are very similar to plants outdoors. Frequent inspection for pests is important. If a pest is found, identification prior to treatment and isolating the infected plant will ensure that the pest is not spread to other houseplants. Other maintenance needs include fertilization. Houseplants typically don’t need much, and some, such as African violets, have specialized needs. You may need to eventually repot your houseplant. This should be done if the plant outgrows its pot and new, clean potting mix should be used.
Houseplants add life and color to your home and their care can be a fun and rewarding pastime. Choose a plant that interests you and does well in your home—then watch your indoor garden grow!
Let us help you grow happy houseplants! Join us at our next Growing Happy Houseplants webinar on July 30th at 5:30 pm. You can find this webinar, and more, here.
For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online. The Plant Clinic is available to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Due to covid-19, please give us a call, or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.
The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.
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