4 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Indoor Plants

Are you a plant parent? If you head to the nursery nearby once (or twice to three times) a week, you’re not alone. In fact, over quarantine, thousands of people realized the cathartic nature of caring for nature.

So, whether you’re a newbie to the indoor plant world or you’re having some problems with some of your babies, take a look here. We’ve laid out some common mistakes you may be making with your indoor plants. From head-slapping your plants with too much water to the (often) unknown power of a sprinkle of fertilizer, we’re here to help you get it sorted.

You Might Not Know Your Plant

Did you just pick up a random plant at the local shop? If you’re not really sure what you bought or what was sent to you, then it’s time to do a bit of research.

When we don’t know the plant we’re caring for, it puts us in a position to harm a plant more than help it grow and thrive. While you may have an inkling of what the plant is, if you don’t know the specifics, caring for it will be like trying to bake something without the recipe. It’s not impossible—but it probably won’t turn out the way you’d hoped.

You’re Over and Under-Watering

This goes along with the above. If you don’t know your plant, you run the risk of over-watering or under-watering. And even if you know your plant, you may still run the risk of not watering properly.

The truth is, house plants are quite resilient. While opting for the most intricate plant at the nursery may prove a challenge, a majority of houseplants can handle themselves and regulate fairly well. Sometimes, our over-bearing mom days need to take a step back, as over-watering can do a lot of harm to plant babies. Research your plant, then stick to a very regular watering schedule appropriate to its needs and the condition and environment it’s in. Just like children, plants do better with a regular schedule.

You’re Not Fertilizing (or Fertilizing Improperly)

Fertilizing indoor plants is a step that’s debated quite a bit. To do or not to do? In our opinion, a little house plant food can go a long way. And that’s the key—your plants don’t need tons of fertilizer to grow. Plus just like overwatering, giving them too much may result in a dying plant. But if you don’t give them any, and you may never see your plant bloom.

Follow the growing directions and keep an eye on your plant. Such simple and diligent care could be just what your house plant needs.

Pick The Right Light

Often, we place our plants where we think they look best, decor wise. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best combination of light and temperature for our plants to thrive. Too much sunlight can burn a plant - and too little means it won’t get the nutrients it needs. Take into mind the temperature range in the space where your plant lives and what it can handle (including abrupt changes in temperature, not just max and min temps), as well as whether it’s getting direct or diffused sunlight. If you see it yellowing or ‘burning’ a bit, it might need a little less direct light. If it’s not growing well, shriveling up, or straining towards the sunlight, you might need to give it a little more.

These are just a few of the common mistakes you’re making with your indoor plants. Hopefully, these will provide you with the kickstart you need to really help your house plants bloom. We wish you the best!