Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Houseplants 101
BRRRR… baby it’s cold outside! We’re hunkering down indoors with our houseplants and noticing some things.
Like dull color, browning tips, yellowing or leaf drop. What could be going on? A few things. Our homes aren’t getting as much light and humidity at this time of year and that has an affect.
My Norfolk Pine is not pleased… and frankly, I’m embarrassed. BUT, my home is very dry and I didn’t check the moisture as well as I should have.
But my Mother-in-law tongue is a happy camper.
Two plants, different needs. Something very helpful I’ve learned is, when you first purchase your houseplant, keep it in the pot it’s been growing in. These are designed to drain. Place the new plant in your decorative pot, if there’s no drainage to that one, then either make a hole in the decorative container or use a plastic saucer underneath so your plant doesn’t sit in water. That’s the quickest way to kill them.
Another thing, invest a few bucks in a moisture meter. I had no idea how helpful that it was going to be! Mine also measures pH but you can buy ones that measure soil temperature too!
For plants that require humidity, pebble trays of water and/or misting are two of the best things you can do for them.
Be sure to know which plants need it. For instance, my norfolk pine enjoys a mist, but the sanseviera does not! Unless I’m wiping down his leaves and drying them off!
Remember that our houseplants are mostly dormant right now, they’re taking some down time. In other words, don’t fertilize them right now.
Too much stimulation when they would really rather relax! Sort of like having a dark roast coffee right before bed time!
