Okay, so maybe it’s not cold for everyone, but for the majority of us, it sure is! For those of you fortunate enough to live in warm weather year-round, look away! Look away quickly! The frost might get you!
Of course, I’m just kidding. We all know that frost can’t harm us–as long as we stay inside where it’s warm. The same goes for our plants. Many of our plants are prepared for cold weather. But for those plants not prepared, plants that are not indigenous to cold climates, it’s our responsibility to either bring them inside for the winter, or buy a plane ticket for them and fly them South. In most cases, it’s much easier just to bring them inside!
If planting in your garden, always do your research and be sure to only plant species that can survive year-round in your climate. Often times, we want to care for plants and flowers that may be used to a warmer environment. Or maybe we just want some easy-to-care-for plants inside year-round.
How To Care For Your Indoor Plants:
A natural, outdoor environment is always best for any plant. So, if you’re going to have indoor plants, you want to do your best to re-create that plant’s natural habitat. Most of us prefer our home to be approximately 70 degrees. Coincidentally, so do our indoor plants. Try to avoid drafty areas (entryways, windowsills, etc.)
The majority of us like to have sunlight in our homes, so we open our curtains or raise our blinds during the daytime. Position your houseplants so that they receive the morning sun’s rays. Direct sunlight throughout the day can be too much for our indoor plants, but morning sun is perfect.
Water your indoor plants at least once a week to maintain moist soil, but not wet soil. Keeping a saucer under your plants to catch excess water is not necessarily a good idea. Pooling water at the bottom of your plant’s pot can actually cause mold to grow and rot your plant. I suggest watering your plants in the kitchen sink. Allow the plant to sit for 10-15 minutes after watering it to ensure that excess water has drained. If your pot has an attached saucer, just make sure that not a lot of water pools in it. In nature, a plant only drinks what it needs and excess water drains away into the ground. Not so with indoor plants, so be careful not to over-water them.
Your everyday, average potting soil will work just fine for your houseplants. Dirt gets old though, so be sure to re-pot your indoor plants every 2 years or so. I’m sure we’ve all seen the “white-washed” look that the top layers of our potting soil can get over time. This is simply due to being exposed to the environment-whether indoor or outdoor. Simply break the top layer up occasionally, remove, and replace with fresh soil. The nutrients from the fresh soil will filter through when you water your plant and help keep it healthy.
Often times, a fresh layer of potting soil is plenty of “food” for indoor plants, but if you find your houseplant lacking life, you can apply a small amount of slow-release fertilizer. Don’t over-dose your plants! Use fertilizer sparingly on indoor plants.
What Are The Best Types Of Plants To Keep Indoors?
- Ivy are wonderful as indoor plants. They are very hardy, need little care, do not require much sunlight, and will grow slowly and consistently. Many varieties are available.
- African Violets are a favorite indoor plant. These fuzzy flowers love sunlight, but be careful not to expose them to direct sunlight for too long. When watering them, try to only get water on the soil, as water on leave leaves will leave water-spots.
- Geraniums are great for indoor or outdoor environments. They do very well indoors and add some much needed color through the gloomy winter months. These plants really like their sun, so make sure they get it daily.
Philodendrons must be the easiest plant to grow indoors. In fact, they’re my favorite! They require very little light and will do well in any room in the house. They can even live in water! Many times you’ll see beta fish in vases with philodendron growing inside the vase, its roots making a natural habitat for the fish.- In addition, many herbs do well indoors. Growing herbs indoor is not only a nice hobby, but it will also encourage healthier cooking. Nothing is better than fresh herbs!
Ahhh! It’s Warm In Here!
It’s fun to have indoor plants! They’re not terribly hard to take care of, they add some much needed life to your indoor habitat, and they’re just fun to tend and take care of! Gardening is one of the most relaxing hobbies a person can have. Who says you can’t enjoy that hobby in your home? Answer: No one! So take care, and happy gardening!