How to stop killing plants
If you’ve had plant fatalities in the past, don’t worry. Keeping plants alive is just a matter of picking the right plants and following a few simple tips.
Every plant owner has a few fatalities in their past. Everyone. Even if you’ve had bad luck in the past, you can keep a plant alive.
Three things to remember before we start:
-Some plants are more fussy than others. If you want easy level, try an unkillable plant.
-Plants want to be alive. No plant has a death wish. They really want to help you succeed.
-A plant that appears to be dying is not always dying. Sometimes it’s just dormant.
If you find plants keep dying on you, let’s look at the usual causes of death.
Three things to remember before we start:
-Some plants are more fussy than others. If you want easy level, try an unkillable plant.
-Plants want to be alive. No plant has a death wish. They really want to help you succeed.
-A plant that appears to be dying is not always dying. Sometimes it’s just dormant.
If you find plants keep dying on you, let’s look at the usual causes of death.
Know Your Potting Soil
Though most plants will do just fine in a potted plant soil mix, others — like succulents and orchids — require a special potting mix. At the store, look for cactai and succlent mix and orchid bark. Don’t use garden soil, which is intended to be mixed into existing soil in gardens outdoors.
Put Plants in the Right Place
Bigger plants, like this palm, need plenty of room to grow while smaller plants, like the diffenbachia and alstroemeria, will do fine in smaller pots. Planting in the wrong size pot or overcrowding can quickly lead to rootbound plants with a short shelf-life.
Drainage Is Key
Always make sure your pots have drainage. For ornamental pots without drainage holes, repot the plant in a slightly smaller plastic container, then set it inside the ornamental pot. Use a saucer or other dish (clear plastic serving plates are great for large pots) to prevent water from spilling out onto surfaces.
Is your plant getting the right amount of light?
All plants need some natural light. Some will happily live in a shady corner. Some want to feel the sun on their leaves as much as possible.
Too little light will make a plant drop leaves to conserve energy or start growing straight up with very few leaves. This is known as getting ‘leggy’. A leggy plant is shooting up because it’s looking for more light.
Plants that are getting too much light might show scorch marks on their leaves or look faded, like a photo left in the sun.
You’ll find shade-loving plants here.
You’ll find sun-loving plants here.
Too little light will make a plant drop leaves to conserve energy or start growing straight up with very few leaves. This is known as getting ‘leggy’. A leggy plant is shooting up because it’s looking for more light.
Plants that are getting too much light might show scorch marks on their leaves or look faded, like a photo left in the sun.
You’ll find shade-loving plants here.
You’ll find sun-loving plants here.
Is your plant getting the right amount of water?
Often when someone thinks they can’t keep a plant alive it’s because they’re accidentally overwatering. Plants don’t want to be soaking wet. They want enough water to drink, not enough to swim in.
Most plants like lightly moist soil, not soggy. Plants that have been overwatered will go yellow and floppy.
Of course, a plant will also suffer with too little water. Some plants, like cacti, snake plants or succulents, like their soil dry, because they’re used to living in dry places. An underwatered plant will look crispy and shriveled.
For most plants, the best test is to put a finger in the soil to a depth of two inches. If you feel moisture, it doesn’t need any more water. If you feel totally dry soil, time for a drink.
Most plants like lightly moist soil, not soggy. Plants that have been overwatered will go yellow and floppy.
Of course, a plant will also suffer with too little water. Some plants, like cacti, snake plants or succulents, like their soil dry, because they’re used to living in dry places. An underwatered plant will look crispy and shriveled.
For most plants, the best test is to put a finger in the soil to a depth of two inches. If you feel moisture, it doesn’t need any more water. If you feel totally dry soil, time for a drink.
Is the temperature right for your plant?
The temperature of most homes will be absolutely fine for the majority of indoor plants. Plants are happiest somewhere that has a steady temperature and no draughts. If it’s the right temperature for you, it’s right for your plants.
Plants hate draughts, so keep them clear of badly insulated doors and windows.
Plants also hate extreme heat, so keep them clear of radiators.
Plants hate draughts, so keep them clear of badly insulated doors and windows.
Plants also hate extreme heat, so keep them clear of radiators.
In summary:
-Water your plants only when the top two inches of soil feel dry.
-Make sure they’re getting the right level of light
-Keep them somewhere that’s warm and not draughty
You’ve got this.
-Water your plants only when the top two inches of soil feel dry.
-Make sure they’re getting the right level of light
-Keep them somewhere that’s warm and not draughty
You’ve got this.