If you have just started in the world of gardening, you may be wondering how to take care of houseplants. Which is a valid question, since, usually, houseplants turn yellow and dry because the owners are unaware of their main needs.
Luckily, keeping houseplants healthy is easier than you think, and in this post you will find the recommendations you are looking for so that they are always lush and full of life.
What care do houseplants need?
Each plant is different. Therefore, according to their species will require specific care. However, they all share some basic needs such as watering, temperature, substrate and lighting.
When to water the plants
According to the type of plant will be their watering needs. For example:
- Crass or succulents: do not require constant watering. In fact, you can water them 1 or 2 times a week.
- Watering.
- Orchids or vines: this type of plant requires a more frequent watering of 2 to 3 times per week; but, of course, without submerging them completely, as they are prone to fungal attacks.
- Orchids or vines: this type of plant requires a more frequent watering of 2 to 3 times per week; but, of course, without submerging them completely, as they are prone to fungal attacks.
- Tropical plants: are the ones that need more humidity. You will even have to water them once a day.
As a general rule, during summer and spring follow this guideline. But in the winter and fall you only need to water the plants 1 time a week. Also, try to do it in the early hours of the day or in the late afternoon.
Excess water
Houseplants do not need frequent watering. Unlike garden plants, they can keep moisture in their substrate for a longer period of time. That is why overwatering them is counterproductive, because waterlogging the roots will cause the plant to rot.
A quick and effective way to check that there is no excess water is to touch the substrate with the tip of your finger. This serves to verify that the soil is only moist and not over-watered. Also, if the dish under the pot has water in it, you should remove it. A useful tip is to fill it with gravel or stone to avoid residual water.
Temperature
Sudden changes in temperature are another common problem in the care of houseplants. They are comfortable at a temperature ranging from 15° C to 25° C. As they do not like sudden changes, never put a houseplant near radiators or air conditioners.
Lack of light
Lack of light is often one of the most common reasons houseplants wilt or become damaged. Although they do not tolerate direct sunlight, they do need adequate and not too little lighting.
In this sense, it is good that the plant is located near a window, gallery or balcony; that is to say, in a place where sufficient luminosity enters. The lack of exposure to light will cause the plant to stop performing its vital functions such as photosynthesis and respiration. However, remember that the sun’s rays should not touch it directly.