HELP FOR SICK HOUSEPLANTS

Keeping Plants Alive 101

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a nearby florist as a friend that they can talk to regularly and ask for advice (although they are the best people to ask, of course). First off, you’ll need to identify the most common mistakes you’re probably making and, of course, choose a plant that is easy and not too exotic or delicate.

Most Common Mistakes (and how to fix them)

Yes, you’re probably watering your plants too much. Make sure that your flowerpots and vessels have proper drainage holes in the bottom to keep soil from becoming overly moist. You don’t want to drown your plants (or encourage mold and/or fungus, either).

If you’re unsure whether your plant is heat-tolerant or not, keep it out of direct sunlight (don’t put it right by the window). Instead, find a spot with indirect light (and make sure it’s not right beside the air conditioner in the summer or the radiator in winter). This is all pretty much common sense.

Signs and Symptoms

• Yellowing leaves (chlorosis)
• Drooping, wilting, shedding
• Spots

If the leaves on your plant are yellowing or falling off, it’s probably because it either needs to be repotted so the roots can spread out, poor soil drainage, or, you guessed it, overwatering. A good way to keep your plants happy, thriving, and not too damp is to use ice cubes rather than simply pouring water onto the soil. Another useful tip is to keep plants in your bathroom; they’ll love the steam from hot showers.

Shedding, drooping, wilting leaves can usually be attributed to either too much light or not enough. Too much direct sunlight can actually scorch your plant’s leaves. If the tips of your plant’s leaves are discolored or brown, it may be suffering from root rot. The best way to cure this is to re-pot the plant in dry soil and add pebbles to the tray; this will allow for proper drainage. Also, over-fertilizing a houseplant can be detrimental as well.

Usually, if your plant has spots on its leaves (if your jade plant has dark marks, for instance), this could mean that it’s either not receiving enough water or is being over-watered. Check the soil: it shouldn’t be too dry or too wet. A helpful tip: use a small amount of rubbing alcohol diluted with water and use the mixture to massage the leaves.

Simple Plants

Yes, some of the most beautiful plants are actually relatively simple to care for and fuss-free. You don’t need finicky flowers to achieve an elegant atmosphere; common houseplants will do very nicely.

• Cacti, aloe, succulents, and air plants all have one thing in common: they don’t require much water (very little, in fact). Air plants are literally dipped in water and drained only occasionally or spritzed with a light mist from a spray water bottle.
• Bamboo is not only lucky and pleasing to the eye but is relatively easy to care for and lives a long time. One of the best things about potted bamboo is its decorative pot that can be filled with tiny smooth pebbles and maybe even a crystal or two. This Zen aesthetic is ideal for any budding bohemian!
• Snake, rubber, spider, and jade plants are incredibly common choices of houseplants; they’re fuss-free, low-cost, and have beautiful foliage. A rubber plant will thrive if you rub the leaves with olive oil. A snake plant doesn’t really require much tending at all – its tall spiky leaves enliven any space. A spider plant is a full, almost haphazard-looking beauty that adds dimension to a plain corner, empty bookshelf, or table. They don’t require a lot of water, either, and don’t mind dry soil.
• Pothos (or “devil’s ivy”) is a vine ideal for hanging because of its cascading tendrils. These only need to be watered once a week and flourish rather quickly.

From Chelsea Flowers

Chelsea Flowers offers wonderful plants that are easy to care for. Go ahead and bring the lush, green beauty of the outdoors inside your home, apartment, or office with a money tree, palm plant, or cordyline.

For more information, check out the website and visit the links below:

https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/money-tree-gift

https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/palm-plant

https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/cordyline

(Photographs used in this blog were sourced from: “The Best Plant Book Ever” (1978) and “Converted Into Houses” (1976))