House plant care mistakes

You may have noticed that your local and online florist offers you much more than the usual bouquets. Now they have all kinds of gifts and baskets and even potted plants! Many people who used to send flowers now send potted plants. Florists like to call it “the gift that keeps on giving.” However, there are some basic rules to remember when caring for a house plant and many people make such simple mistakes that end up causing the death of their beloved plant.

Too much water

The first big mistake people tend to make is watering too much. They water their plants with excessive amounts of water every day thinking it will help the plant grow. In fact, too much water causes the roots to rot and the plant dies. If you consider the way things work in nature, you’ll understand why plants don’t need such large amounts of water. In nature, rains come and go. It doesn’t rain every day of the year. Also, the soil in your garden allows water to drain so the roots aren’t constantly surrounded by water.

Not enough water

Conversely, some people rarely or completely forget to water their house plants. This is obviously a sure-fire way to kill them sooner rather than later. All living things need water to survive, so it stands to reason that this is a big NO-NO.

Keeping pots wrapped

No matter how nice the pots look wrapped in that plastic wrap, it’s no good for them to stay that way. The reason is that when the water leaves the pot, some of the water collects on the plastic and stays there. The rest of the water remains in the soil and cannot be drained, which, as mentioned above, will cause root rot. Instead you have to remove the plastic completely or if you really don’t want to you can always poke holes exactly where the holes are in the pot. Then place your potted plant on a plate or saucer so excess water doesn’t get everywhere.

Too much or too little sunlight

Some rooms in our homes lack the lighting department. In other words, there is not enough sunlight coming through the windows. All plants need sunlight to aid in the photosynthesis process. This is the process where plants convert water, carbon dioxide and sunlight into food for the plant and oxygen for us. Without the energy of the sun, this process is not possible and the plant will die. Different types of house plants require different amounts of sunlight, so it’s also very important to consult a professional or do your own research to determine which type of plants are right for your home.

Before you purchase a house plant, it is important to make sure that you do some research first. By making sure that you understand their needs, you will be able to choose the perfect spot in your home for the plant. You will also be able to provide the plant with the appropriate care.