Like all living things, a plant needs water, food, environment and occasional grooming. It’s basically the program in a nutshell. Learn how to best meet these needs for your particular plant and by routinely meeting the basic needs, you should be rewarded with healthy plants.

Pot and soil mixture: To enable sufficient drainage, it is recommended that you grow potted plants in either clay or plastic pots with drainage holes.

You can place growing pots inside attractive outer pots but do not let extra water collect at the bottom.

Most houseplants do not require frequent transplantation. Transplant when you see that the plant is forced out of the container or if you see roots that appear at the drainage hole. Use potted plants and place in a container slightly larger than the roots.

Light: Flowering houseplants and those with colored leaves need more light than green-leafed plants. These potted plants may require additional plant lighting from either a growing candle or an ordinary fluorescent lamp.

Water: Overwatering is the most common mistake made by new gardeners. Wait until the soil is almost dry, but do not allow the plant to wither. Water until the water just starts to appear at the drainage holes. Test for moisture by touch or by using a moisture meter every five days. If it feels dry or if the meter registers dry, it is time to add water.

When watering your potted plants, look at the top and bottom of the leaves. If you see bugs, try washing them off with water and a mild detergent. Test the water and soap mixture on a small part of the plant first to make sure that there is no damage to the leaves. If you find that it is not successful, you must apply a chemical insecticide.

Discard plant substances and discard the soil to prevent diseases from spreading to your other houseplants.

Moisture: Place a layer of marble in the bottom of the barrel; fill with water and place the plant pot on top to catch evaporation. Think of a room humidifier if you notice that your humidity is too low for your potted plants.

Temperature: Daytime temperatures of 18 to 23 ° C (64 to 73 ° F) and slightly cooler at night are ideal. Avoid placing potted plants near heating ducts or drained areas.

Fertilization: A lot of fertilization is not necessary. Fertilization of potted plants should be further reduced during slower winter growth. Start fertilizing around February with all-purpose fertilizer diluted to half strength. All-round fertilizer has nutrient conditions that are balanced or in equal concentrations, e.g. 15-15-15 or 20-20-20.

Remove leaves that turn off color or yellow yellow and dead leaves. If more than half of the blade is affected, remove the entire blade. If only a small part of the leaf is discolored, trim that part to the natural shape of the leaf. Use sharp scissors for best results. The leaves of some houseplants can continue to grow at the base of the leaf. Remove both the flower and the stem. Remove pale and discolored flowers.

Pests and diseases: Healthy potted plants are less susceptible to disease and less than ideal conditions. For best success, buy only healthy, live plants. Plants purchased at reduced prices have often deteriorated sharply and will require a lot of care to restore them to health.