Since plants are totally having a moment right now, there is a lot of information around about what’s best for plants … and what’s not so good for them. Even though some general rules are good to keep in your back pocket, the truth is, the more you get to know your plant and pay attention to its cues, the more you’ll become attuned to its specific needs.
Whether or not you’re a dedicated plant parent or just in the plant curious stage we hope these tips give you inspiration and extra wisdom on your green thumb journey!
Happy plant parenting!
1. The more you water your plants, the more they grow
Watering plants every day can be harmful for some species. Our tip is to stick your finger in the soil, and if it feels super dry & cracking go ahead and water it. Otherwise, check on it again in a few days.
2. Some people have black thumbs
Some people say that they cannot grow a houseplant. For us black thumb people do not exist, it only needs a little education and some experimentation. We suggest reading the book by Veronica Peerless “How not to kill your houseplant: survival tips to the horticulturally challenged”.
3. All the plants are dangerous to our furry friends
The majority of the common indoor plants are not dangerous to cats and dogs, however some plants can be toxic to our furry friends. For example ivy, aloe and hortensia, or berries from american vine and holly can cause annoying reactions to pets. If you are not sure that your plants are safe for your pets, we suggest putting them out of reach.
4. Singing and talking to plants doesn’t actually do anything
Some researches say that plants benefit from sound vibrations. According to a study by the University of Western Australia (Gagliano/Renton-2013) plants communicate to each other using sound waves. A recent study by the Royal Horticulture Society demonstrates that plants grow faster to the sound of female voices.
We don’t know all plants’ musical tastes but we encourage you to sing something to our plants, especially because it’s proven that singing is a natural antidepressant, releases endorphins and oxytocin, the hormones of wellness.
5. Big pot means big plant
If this was true we would use bath tubs as pots. Unfortunately, if you put your plant in an oversized pot, there’s a good chance the roots will start to rot and soil will dry out.
What’s the best way to pick a pot for your plant?
We suggest using a pot 4 - 5 cm larger than the plant. A good idea is also to keep a report of the growing, in this way you’ll know the right time to find a bigger pot.
6. If the leaves are yellow it drank too much
Yellow leaves can be a sign that the plants took too much water, especially if the soil is wet to the touch. In this case we suggest putting the plant in a new pot and leave it alone.
However yellow leaves can also be a sign of pests or mineral deficiency so we suggest checking the plant and its soil well and if needed call a specialist to do specific tests.
7. Some plants are immortals. There can be only one!
Even if plants like ZZ plant require less light than succulents, they cannot survive in complete darkness.
Plants like snake plant are considered immortals because they are extremely resilient, in fact they don’t need so much light and require water usually once a month.
If you are not an expert but you still want to grow some plants in your house we suggest starting with these types of plants. Maybe you won’t get a green thumb immediately but start to get your hands dirty, you won’t regret it!
