Plant Care 101; How To Spoil Your Plant Children - PART 1 (10 steps)
Plants are in. Homey dreamscapes now spill over with lush greenery, tenacious vines, juicy succulents, & exotic cacti collections. Here at The Zen Den we’re more excited than ever over this wave of green love!; an appreciation our planet desperately needs.
We’ve been cultivating house plants since before it was a trend. I recently counted 89 houseplants indoors alone - and might I add that we’ve learned some incredible things along this journey! Between college botany & horticulture, trial & error in my own gardens, studying herbalism, & being raised by a certified Master Gardener (& green witch), understanding how plants work provides a stable basis for all of my plant care.
Here are my most vital tips for happy, healthy plant babies! (& why!)
WATER. Seems obvious, right? But did you know that plants prefer specific water ph depending on their species? *Most* plants thrive in slightly acidic environments. I personally use 6.0 PH water straight from our Kangen Machine, which means it’s also rich in free ions. This may sound trivial, but it has been KEY in growing the healthiest plants ever. It is THE game changer.
If you’re curious about Kangen Machines & living water, you can click here to find out more, or contact me if you’re interested in purchasing one for your own home & garden!
Watering Frequency & Drainage. Over-watering is one of the top plant-parent mistakes, & provides a perfect environment for pests like soil gnats, mold, mildew, fungus, & root rot. ALWAYS have holes in the bottoms of your pots for drainage. Tossing some pea gravel in the bottom under the soil is also helpful! Finding out how often each plant needs water is a great tidbit, although a general rule of thumb is to to wait until the soil is completely dry. To learn how to rid of pests & molds, read on.
Correct Soil. Oh the woes I have experienced with soil. Hydroponics definitely has its appeal, haha. Correct water PH sets up the soil for balance in between waterings, but much of the generic potting soil available at stores is also packed with other things, like nutrients & varying types of soil. Does your species prefer loamy or sandy soil? Well draining or damp roots? Knowing what your plant likes make selecting soil easier. Many brands even have plant-specific mixes, like this blend for succulents, and this one for African Violets.
Light. Another seemingly obvious suggestion, but again, not all plants like a lot of light...a mistake that has cost me plant lives. The Zen Den farmhouse doesn’t boast many windows, so for my light-loving babies, I have to bring in extra rays. I’m obsessed with the clip-on bendable plant lights like these ones from Amazon. I have about 10 different light heads on rotation around the house, I also love this standing one. Once again, knowing your species is everything.
Fans. One of the most interesting things I learned in college botany (besides how leaves use light photons to produce sugars) is how the cells of plants wear down & regenerate. It reminds me much of our own flesh - when we work out, we tear muscle so new tissue can be made, making us stronger. Wind serves as this “work out” for plants. In nature, stalks don’t grow strong unless they’re assailed by gusts. Putting a fan on your plants not only creates stronger stems, but also provides air circulation which is essential in preventing excess moisture, molds, fungus, & gnats.
Nutrients. Let me start by reminding that plants are autotrophic, meaning they create their own nutrition. Technically, plant “noots” are an extra, but using them can create healthier plants. MiracleGro is a common growth nutrient found in most grocery stores, but if you prefer to go a natural route, I highly recommend Nectar Of The Gods brand, which is what I use both for houseplants & medicines. You can buy them here on Amazon.
Heaters & heating pads. North Michigan winters mean freeezing cold temperatures for half of the year. Our home is wood-heated, so it is essential to provide indoor plants with adequate heat during these months. Plug in heaters have been a God send, especially ones with temperature control. I keep mine around 75 degrees & move my plants to a common area so they can all benefit from the warmth.
Heating pads are also a neat trick when germinating new plants from seed. The sprouting rate is incomparable when I use a heating pad under my seeds. I have specific ones made for plants that you can find on Amazon here.
Humidifier & leaf spray (6.0 ph). This is a careful topic. Although too much humidity can prevent a plant from properly transpiring & photosynthesizing, too little can also hinder the photosynthesis process. While seedlings need it damp to sprout, high humidity for too long can cause molds that kill sprouts before they can establish. Plants best thrive in humidity levels around 50-60%, so a humidifier with humidity control is best.
Soil & Leaf tonic. Not the same as nutrients, soil & leaf tonics are often a sprayable elixir that helps rid soil & foliage of insects & spores. I don’t do this daily, but at least twice a week. I am in love with this brand of Sacred Plant Tonics by Sacred Elements.
*Sticky fly papers are also a great, natural method for depopulating soil gnat armies!
Showers & leaf washing. Last but not least in this mundane plant care Part 1, is showers! Plants love getting rained on, so I try to provide a similar experience for the indoor babes. I imagine it “feels” good to them to have warm water rinsing their leaves & soils. I rotate the plants for monthly showers to eliminate dust that accumulates, & to give their leaves a nice shine.
Thank you so much for reading , I hope this information proves helpful!