There are five definitive elements required for indoor plants; light, temperature and ventilation, humidity, irrigation and fertilizer. The first of these elements to be discussed here is easy. Plants really have different needs for light.

My croton, for example, requires to be placed by a window with direct sunlight, but my Norfolk pine does well with medium to low light intensity. Natural light is usually obtained from a window position to maintain the life of an indoor plant.

However, this is always controlled by how close the plant is to the window. This natural light decreases exponentially with the plant farther and farther away from the natural light source from the window.

There are many other things you can do to provide the necessary light to survive. You can possibly make hanging baskets, provide some glass shelves that allow light to reach all plants at more than one shelf, or you can build a bay window that provides a greenhouse effect for your plants.

A more practical idea would be to add some broad spectrum lighting specifically designed for plants. These fluorescent lamps are generally better than ordinary fluorescent lamps. It is best to place these lamps 12-14 inches above the indoor plants, which gives a medium light intensity.

Temperature and ventilation are definite factors in the life of all indoor plants. As a rule of thumb, the majority of indoor plants perform their best between 60F and 75F degrees. Plants otherwise tend to become thin and weak if kept at temperatures that are warmer than above

Hot and cold drafts, hot appliances and especially heat registers are the kiss of death for once flowering indoor plants. They keep their flowers longer at lower temperature settings and have better resistance to insect infestations and diseases. Ventilation is important and in many homes there is enough fresh air. You should be aware of the presence of vapors that may escape from gas appliances or furnaces.

Humidity is an essential requirement for these plants and because they usually need a higher humidity than the average home or apartment can provide some adjustments.

However, if you have a heating system with a humidifier installed, make sure it is kept full of water. A terrarium or placing them on a tray of gravel with moisture applied to the tray also provides additional moisture. The gravel tray works especially well with your larger indoor plants.

Watering is probably the leading cause of indoor failure. It comes from both under watering and overwatering of the plants. Your first indication of this problem results in yellowing and continuous tapping of leaves. The easiest way to deal with this problem is to check the soil daily

If you think the soil is dry to at least a quarter inch down or if the pot makes a hollow sound when dropped, it’s time for some water. Sometimes it is necessary to add water until the moisture begins to seep from the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot.

The water that flows out of the pot must never stand still because you should never let the bottom of your pot linger in standing water. For small plants, the weight of the pot may indicate the need for water. The lighter the pot, the more water is required to revive the indoor plant.

A soil that loses reasonably will increase the ease of watering an indoor plant. A heavy soil retains too much water and can cause crown rot in the plant.

Last but not least, there is enough fertilizer to keep your indoor plant healthy and happy. Dilute your fertilizer by adding it to the water used to water your plants. A mixture of a teaspoon of soluble fertilizer in a liter of water should give you the right ratio. Apply this solution once a month during the growing season. It is best to consult with your garden center about the best strength required for your plant.

Personally, I prefer slow release fertilizers, they are such a time saver. It is applied according to the label direction. Each time you water, some of the nutrients are released from the small pellets. You only need to apply the fertilizer again when the instructions inform you to do so.