Office plant care tips to help them thrive

The right office plant can really transform your working environment. Plants are known for improving the quality of the air and they help make workers that much more productive too. The colour green is known for being soothing and it also encourages creativity. Since this can prove to be a rather challenging environment, you will need to know just how to keep your plants happy.

Watering

Water is one of the most important parts of office plant care. Too little and your plant will die. On the other hand, too much water can cause the roots to rot. Different plants have different watering needs and the season will also affect your watering schedule. Some plants require less water than others. For example, a succulent or cactus will not need as much water as a hydrangea. A good rule to remember is to insert your finger into the soil, about an inch deep, to check if it is still moist or not. If the soil is dry below just the surface, it is time to water. When watering, make sure that the pot has drainage holes and you allow any excess water to drain away before placing on the drainage tray and back on display. If you allow water to pool in the tray, it will keep the soil excessively moist and this can result in root rot.

Lighting

All plants need some form of lighting and your office plant is no exception. Of course, in an office environment, this can be difficult. Some plants prefer indirect sunlight while others need some amount of direct sunlight. There are also plants that can thrive under fluorescent lighting but it is important to do your research before buying a plant. Just to make sure that you can, in fact, cater to its lighting needs.

Fertilizer

When your office plant is rooted in the pot, the soil will most likely be fresh and full of nutrients. These nutrients are absorbed by the plant over time and, eventually, the soil can become rather void of any nutritional value. This can stunt the growth of your plant or even cause it to slowly perish without any apparent reason. For this reason, during the growing period of the plant, you should apply a suitable fertilizer to encourage growth.

Re-potting

As your office plant grows, you will need to transfer it to a larger pot. Remember, it might sound like a good idea to place the plant in a large pot in order to avoid re-potting in the near future. However, for many plants, this can prove to be too much of a shock. It is best to opt for a pot that is a size or two larger than the current pot.

Choose the right spot

Your office plant will need to be placed in just the right spot. This means that you will need to find a place where it will not be directly exposed to drafts, the air flowing from your air conditioner or heating vents or similar external factors. Placing your plant near your computer screen can also negatively impact its health so do take care if displaying the plant on your desk.

With all of these simple tips in mind, you can be sure that your office plant will thrive for years to come. Before choosing your plant, make sure that it will indeed continue to grow for years. Some plants only last a season or two before perishing and this is perfectly natural.