Basics Housplant Maintenance

Most houseplants are tropical plants. In their home country they live outside but in our climate they need to be inside, mainly for warmth.

The two questions I get asked most often are:

1. How much light/sun does the plant need?

Neither answers, are the same for every plant or every household.

But no plant likes to stand close to a window and have the sun beating down on it all day long, even Cacti will die there. Why??? Cacti after all are dessert plants!! The window glass acts as magnifier and will burn the plant, so allow some distance between the plant and glass.

Some plants come from jungle floors where they have shady canopies to protect them. So even though they come from a hot climate they prefer a shady spot.

ALL plants need natural light- “Sunlight”. A standard light bulb gives off the wrong light waves for a plant to photosynthesise (make food). There are bulbs that do give off similar light to sunlight, but are not generally household bulbs.

So all plants will eventually die, without enough sunlight.

2. How often do I need to water?

Again not a straight forward answer. It really depends on how warm your home is and on the plants need for water. All plants need water but some need more than others. BUT no plants except for Aquatics like to have their feet (Roots) constantly wet.

Overwatering is the main killer of all Houseplants.

Overwatering will result in Root rot from which there is no return!!

IF IN DOUBT DO NOT WATER!!

A plant that has been under watered will start to droop its leaves and you’ll know its time to water. It may loose a few leaves BUT generally it will recover unless it’s been dry for some time!

So how do you know when to water?

Water is a heavy substance, so basically lift up your pot after it has had a good soak, it will be heavy. Once the water is gone the pot will be a lot lighter.

With large plants which you can not pick up, put your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil is wet there do not water, if it is dry at that depth then water.

How best to water

Water from underneath (saucer or cover pot). Fill the saucer with water, if after an hour all the water is gone, repeat until there is water left after an hour. Then pour away the remainder. Remember if the plant roots are left in water they will rot and the plant will die.