Indoor Gardening Tips for Thriving Indoor Plants

Indoor Gardening Tips for Thriving Houseplants

Indoor plants bring life and beauty into our homes, but keeping them healthy and thriving can be a challenge without the right knowledge. This guide provides detailed insights and actionable advice to ensure your indoor plants thrive year-round!

Tip #1: Don’t Water on a Schedule

Watering schedules can do more harm than good because your plant’s needs vary depending on ever-changing environmental conditions. Instead of watering on a strict routine, ensure your plant needs water before watering it.

• Check the soil: For most tropical plants, stick your finger 3–5 cm into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Adjust this depth for plants with different needs—for example, the soil of succulents should be allowed to completely dry out before watering.
• Avoid micro-adjusting: Weekly fluctuations in sunlight, temperature, and humidity are too frequent to reliably factor into your watering routine. Instead, adapt a rough watering frequency seasonally while relying on soil checks every few days.
• Key takeaway: Checking the soil before watering every few days is the best way to avoid overwatering or underwatering.

Tip #2: Modify Your Plant’s Environment to Suit Your Watering Style

Most people tend towards over- or under-watering, which is one of the leading causes of plant deaths. You can work with your watering style to help make your plants thrive.

How do you know what type of waterer you are? Observe your plant’s soil:

• If your soil is slightly damp when you think it needs water, you likely lean toward overwatering.
• If the soil feels dry when you check, you may tend to underwater.

Bonus tip: Passive hydroponics takes the guesswork out of watering. This system eliminates the possibility of over- or under-watering by allowing plants to draw only the water they need from a reservoir. It’s an excellent option for both overwaterers and underwaterers.

Tip #3: Your Plant Probably Needs More Light Than You Think

Many indoor plants suffer from insufficient light because most people underestimate how much light their plants actually need. Here’s why:

• Misconceptions about shade plants: The term “shade plant” often leads people to believe these plants can thrive in dim conditions. In reality, even shade-loving plants evolved to grow in the understory of forests, where they receive indirect light and occasional dappled sunlight.
• Indoor light vs. outdoor light: The natural light that streams through a small south-facing window is far less intense than the light plants experience in the understory of forest canopies.
• Test your space: If you can’t comfortably read a book without turning on a light during daylight hours, your room is likely too dim for most plants.
• Solutions: Place plants closer to windows or supplement with grow lights, especially during winter. Choose the right plants; for example, plants with purple or red undersides on their leaves (e.g., calatheas) are better suited to low-light conditions. Accept that in low-light conditions, plants may survive but are unlikely to thrive.

Tip #4: Dust Your Leaves for Better Growth

Dust on your plant’s leaves not only looks unsightly but also reduces their ability to photosynthesise. Different plants require different care when it comes to cleaning:

• Large-leaved plants (e.g., monsteras, fiddle leaf figs): Wipe gently with a damp cloth to remove dust.
• Smaller plants (e.g., ferns): Rinse under lukewarm water to clean leaves effectively.
• Fuzzy-leaved plants (e.g., African violets): Use a soft brush to gently remove dust without damaging the delicate leaves.
• Avoid synthetic shine products: Opt for warm water or a diluted neem oil solution, which can also deter pests.
• Frequency: Clean leaves every 2–4 weeks or more often if you live in a dusty environment.

Tip #5: Prune for Stronger, Healthier Growth

Pruning isn’t essential for all plants but offers many benefits for appearance and growth. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics:

• Why prune:
  • Remove dead or damaged leaves to improve the plant’s appearance.
  • Redirect energy to healthier parts of the plant.
  • Encourage bushier, more compact growth by trimming leggy stems.
  • Manage variegated plants.
• When to prune:
  • Prune during the growing season (spring or summer) when plants are actively growing.
  • Avoid heavy pruning during winter dormancy as it can stress the plant.
• How to prune:
  1. Use clean, sharp tools to avoid introducing bacteria.
  2. Cut just above a leaf node to encourage new growth.
  3. Propagate healthy cuttings in water or soil to create new plants.
• Examples of plants that benefit from pruning:
  • Syngoniums: Maintain a compact shape and control vining tendencies.
  • Pothos: Trim leggy stems to promote bushier growth.
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs: Prune to encourage branching and create a fuller structure.
  • Variegated Plants: Manage variegation by pruning stems with undesired patterns.
• Bonus tip: After pruning, reduce watering. With fewer leaves, your plant will use less water, and overwatering can become a risk.

Final Thoughts

Caring for indoor plants doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding their needs, and making small adjustments to their environment, you can create the perfect conditions for them to thrive. Whether it’s watering as needed, optimising light, cleaning leaves, or pruning regularly, these tips will set you up for success.

Have questions? Email us —we’d love to hear from you!