Indoor Plant Care: How to Look After Your Indoor Plants

Indoor plants are the perfect choice to add colour and freshness to your everyday life.

Little lively floras who don’t ask for lush lawns or yards but share your closed space with you. They beautify the rooms’ look, clear out air toxins, and be your cheerful companion in the hours of boredom.

Contrary to what people think, being a plant parent isn’t supposed to be stressful. Your green companions can easily blossom and bloom with little but the right type of care.

So, don’t worry about a green thumb. Just follow these simple tips by AHH Flowers to keep your houseplants happy, healthy, and alive.

AHH Flowers are the expert florists in Perth, meeting all your floristry needs. We offer a vast colourful variety of flowers, to brighten up every occasion of your life.

Let’s Discover the tips for planting House Plants:

8 Must-Follow Tips to Choose the Best Indoor Plants

Indoor plants are preferred for their ability to flourish in the home environment. Unlike their outdoor counterparts, they adapt easily to indoor lighting, humidity, and temperatures.

1. Choose Healthy Plants

Healthy plants are the first requirement of a blooming indoor garden. Always buy your houseplants from a reputable plant seller, who has been doing this for years and knows his craft.

These signs show that your indoor plant is healthy and will continue to grow when you bring it home:

• Normal-Sized Growth
• Well-formed Leaves and Buds
• Durable Stem
• Vibrant Color

Don’t pick the plant that looks any less great. Keep an eye on wilted leaves, droopy stems, or small, shrunken growth. These signs suggest disease and plants are beyond saving. Also, watch out for pests and fungus.

If you’re unsure which indoor plants are best for your home, get a piece of advice from experts. Many easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plants like Chinese evergreens, golden pothos, and snake plants can flourish in almost any home.

2. Check Your Home’s Light & Window Direction

The first requirement for a plant’s life is light and your favourite indoor plant should be able to live in your home.

Observe the natural light your space gets, and it depends primarily on the window direction.

• South-facing windows provide bright light,
• East and west-facing windows offer moderate light
• North-facing windows receive low light.

Also, consider the external obstacles in the way of light like trees and buildings. If your windows let in intense sunlight, consider using a sheer curtain to soften the light.

Discuss the sunlight condition with your plant seller, and then buy the compatible plant.

3. Maintain the Humidity and Temperature

After light, temperature and humidity are the second major factors in a plant’s growth. The temperature mimicking the plant’s natural habitat is best for indoor plants.

Tropical plants generally bloom in high humidity and prefer indirect light. In winter, when indoor air gets dry, grouping plants with similar needs can help in creating a humid environment. You can also use a humidifier.

Similarly, desert plants like cacti and succulents thrive in dry air and need direct light with no shade. Keep humidity levels low for them.

Maintaining a stable temperature is equally important. Severe and frequent changes can stress out the plants. Keep the temperature between 65 and 85°F. Avoid placing near radiators, A/C, and air vents, which release hot or cold air.

4. Match Plants to Your Lifestyle

Be realistic about the time you can dedicate to indoor plant care. If you have long hours of work or a busy schedule, choose low-maintenance plants. Here are some varieties that require minimum attention and suit well for a hectic lifestyle.

Great Indoor Plants with Low Maintenance:

Some hydroponics and succulents are most suitable for low maintenance, such as:

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

It tolerates low light and infrequent watering. Its upright, sword-shaped leaves make it an attractive addition to any room.

• Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

The Jade Plant, or Money Tree, is a succulent that thrives on minimal water and can withstand neglect.

• Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)

Philodendrons are adaptable and can grow well in low to moderate light. They require minimal watering and are great for adding lush, green foliage to any room.

If you have enough time at home, you can try some attention-loving indoor flowering plants like orchids, or ferns. They require continuous spraying with filtered water to remain fresh.

5. Consider the Pets and Children

If you have pets or young children at home, keep their safety in mind while buying indoor plants. Ingestion or contact with the sap of some plants can be risky for pets and children.

Choose non-toxic varieties like spider plants or Boston ferns for the safety of all members of your home.

Some potentially toxic indoor plants are:

• Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)
• Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
• Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata)
• Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa).

If you already have them, place them at a higher inaccessible place and monitor the pet & child activity around them.

6. Choose the Right Pot and Soil Mix

The perfect root environment is essential to add bloom and colors to the plant and suitable indoor plant pots are key to it.

Choose a high-quality plant pot with the right potting soil according to the needs of the plant. E.g. succulents require more draining and ferns need moisture retention.

The potting mix should contain nutrients and biologically active components. They will create a soil ecosystem essential for the healthy growth of plants.

Moreover, check for drainage holes in the pot to avoid waterlogging. They help in regulating the moisture levels and prevent the issues caused by over or under-watering.

7. Stock the Plant Care Supplies

Stock the basics in your home such as a watering can, pruning shears, a moisture meter, and plant food. Having these tools on hand will save you extra effort and make your plant greener and healthier.

8. Find an Ideal Spot to Place Them

Your plants will find comfort in the same place where you find it. Don’t put warmth-loving plants in the bathroom. It will be only warm while showering and will be cold and damp at other times.

Read the labels of plants for the information of their placement or ask your plant seller. Don’t put them under direct sunlight, it will burn them.

Keep plants away from heating or cooling vents such as radiators, A/Cs, and air vents,

where the temperature is not stable.

Also, make sure they have enough space to grow and aren’t blocking pathways.

Taking Care of Indoor Plants | 8 Things to Keep in Mind

When you have picked the right indoor plant and put it at its spot, these tips will help you to provide it the maximal care.

1. Ideal Lighting

Place the plant according to its lighting requirement. Mostly need bright light and others can live in dim corners. Adjust their location as needed with changing weather conditions.

2. The Right Amount of Hydration

Check the soil moisture before adding water. Most plants need the dried soil for some time between watering. Water evenly in the form of spray. Also maintain the proper drainage to prevent root rot.

3. Feeding Requirements

Every plant needs a specific type of nutrients. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season. Take advice from a florist for the selection of fertilizer. Follow the instructions and avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm the plants.

4. Need to Repot

Always Repot the plants when they outgrow their pots. While choosing a new pot, keep the size 1-2 inches higher than the previous one and use fresh potting mix.

5. Cutting & Pruning

Regular pruning enhances plant growth, health, and vibrant colors. Remove the dead or yellowing leaves.

6. Regular Cleaning

Dust on plant leaves can make them dull and withered. Wipe the leaves with a moist cloth or use a soft brush to remove dust. Larger plants can be showered or sprayed with water.

7. Pest Control

Indoor plants are safe from mostly insects. But, some pests and fungi are still a concern. Monitor the plants for pests like spider mites or aphids. Also, check for leaf spots or root decay. Solve the issues with appropriate measures like insecticidal soap and remove the decayed parts.

8. Signs of Trouble

Closely observe the plant for signs of trouble, such as yellowed leaves (indicate overwatering) or brown edges (suggest under-watering). Contact an expert if you can’t find out the cause and provide a prompt solution.

Now, let’s talk about some low-maintenance plants which are considered as the best friends of beginner plant keepers:

10 Best Indoor Plants for Beginner Plant Keepers

Check out this list including some good plants for indoor settings.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

• Suitable for a range of lighting
• Tolerate irregular watering
• Require minimal attention
• Air-purifying qualities

2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Beautiful white flowers
• Easy to grow
• Adapt to changing indoor environments
• Filter out air pollutants
• Produce offshoots for propagation

3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

• White blooms with dark green leaves
• Low light conditions
• Improve indoor air quality
• Remove harmful chemicals

4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) 

• Glossy, dark green leaves
• Require low light
• Infrequent watering
• Tolerate variety of indoor conditions

5. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

• Beautiful trailing vines
• Fast growth
• Adapt to different light conditions
• Prefer bright, indirect light
• Require minimal attention

6. Philodendron

• Lush, green leaves
• Need moderate light
• Adapt to different indoor conditions
• Occasional water need

7. Aloe Vera

• Useful for skin and hair
• Minimal water need
• Handle lower light levels
• Help in soothing minor burns and skin irritations

8. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

• Vibrant green touch
• Needs humid environment
• Indirect sunlight
• Help in creating a humid atmosphere

9. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

• Broad, dark green leaves durable
• Tolerates low light
• Handle long neglect

10. Orchid (Orchidaceae)

• Splendid long-lasting flowers
• Grow in bright indirect light
• Require regular watering

Wrap Up

Bringing indoor plants into your home can add a vibrant and lively touch to your space.

Remember, there is no such thing as a green thumb or black thumb. And with a little knowledge and attention, you can make your indoor garden flourish like a pro.

Enjoy the luxury and peace that indoor plants bring into your life while providing the right care according to their needs and concerns.

AHH Flowers | The Floristry Experts You Need

At AHH Flowers, we understand the exact needs of plants and flowers and help you enjoy the wonders they can create. We keep our flowers with great care and caution to provide you with ready-made blooms on the spot.

Explore our wide range of beautiful flower bouquets and vases, and let us help you add a touch of natural beauty to every occasion.

Contact AHH Flowers for All Your Flower Needs

Happy planting!