Plant Care Guides

Watering Your Plants

Proper watering is essential for healthy plants. Most indoor plants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings, but the exact schedule depends on the plant type, pot size, and environmental conditions.

Key Watering Tips:

• Check soil moisture before watering by inserting your finger 2-3cm into the soil
• Water once every 7-10 days for most tropical plants; adjust based on season
• Keep soil slightly moist but never waterlogged
• Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the roots
• Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer
• Reduce watering frequency in winter when plants grow more slowly

Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and soil that stays wet. Signs of underwatering include drooping leaves, dry soil, and brown leaf edges.

Light Requirements

Understanding your plant's light needs is crucial for its health and growth. Light requirements vary significantly between plant species, and placing a plant in the wrong light can cause stress and poor growth.

Light Categories:

• Bright direct light: South-facing windows, 4-6 hours of direct sun daily
• Bright indirect light: Near east or west windows, or a few feet from south windows
• Medium light: North-facing windows or several feet from bright windows
• Low light: Areas away from windows but still receiving ambient light

Most houseplants prefer bright, indirect light. Rotate your plants regularly to ensure even growth. If leaves are fading or stretching toward light, your plant may need more light. If leaves are scorching or turning brown, reduce direct sunlight exposure.

Repotting Your Plants

Repotting gives your plants room to grow and refreshes their soil. Most plants benefit from repotting every 1-2 years, typically in spring when they're entering their active growth period.

When to Repot:

• Roots growing through drainage holes
• Plant dries out very quickly after watering
• Plant has stopped growing despite proper care
• Soil has become compacted or depleted

Repotting Steps:

• Choose a pot that's 2-5cm larger in diameter than the current pot
• Gently remove the plant from its current pot, being careful with roots
• Loosen the root ball and remove old, compacted soil
• Place fresh potting mix in the new pot and position the plant
• Fill around the plant with soil and water thoroughly
• Wait a week before fertilizing to allow roots to settle

Pest Management

Early detection and treatment are key to managing plant pests. Regular inspection of your plants helps catch problems before they spread. Most common indoor plant pests can be managed with simple, non-toxic methods.

Common Pests:

• Spider mites: Tiny red or brown dots, fine webbing on leaves. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap
• Mealybugs: White, cotton-like clusters. Remove with cotton swab dipped in alcohol
• Scale: Brown or white bumps on stems and leaves. Scrape off and treat with horticultural oil
• Fungus gnats: Small flying insects around soil. Let soil dry out and use yellow sticky traps
• Aphids: Small green or black insects on new growth. Spray with water or insecticidal soap

Prevention is the best approach: keep plants healthy, avoid overwatering, and isolate new plants for a few weeks before placing them near others. Regularly wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and potential pests.