Adopt A Plant

Plants love to grow! Make sure your plant's roots aren't getting cramped in their containers, and size up if you need to.

If your plant is wilting unexpectedly, or you see roots coming out of the top or bottom of the pot, tip the plant out of the container and check if the roots are becoming overcrowded. If they are, gently untangle the roots and re-pot in a larger container.

For more information, check out some of our online resources such as:

Little Book, Big Plants by Ema Sibley

Is your plant tropical? Better suited to cold climates? Make sure your plant is in the best environment for growth!

Keeping your plant's climate controlled is important, too. Avoid placing your plant next to radiators, AC vents, or other items that may cause large fluctuations in temperature.

During the winter, keep plants further away from windows, and check that their spaces are staying appropriately warm.

Did you know plants can get sunburned? Make sure you know how much (or how little) light your plant needs.

Plants getting too much light may turn yellow, or begin developing black spots. Succulents that receive too much light will begin to stretch out and appear "leggy". Plants with too little light will begin to look pale and less vibrant, and may begin to shed leaves or other foliage.

Changing the physical location of your plant may help if you notice it getting too much or too little light. South-facing windows will have the brightest light, North-facing windows will have the lowest light, and East and West-facing windows will have moderate light. Your plant may require direct or indirect light, so be sure to accommodate for either. If the sun is too intense and you're struggling to provide indirect light, a sheer curtain or translucent window sticker in front of your plant may help.

For more information, check out some of our online resources such as:

Doctor Houseplant : An Indispensible Guide to Keeping Your Houseplants Happy and Healthy by William Davidson

Some plants need to be watered daily, some weekly, and even some monthly! How often you water depends on the season: water less during the winter, and more during the warmer months.

Plants absorb warm (not hot!) water the best. You can water your plants by pouring water over the top of the soil. If you are concerned with gnats and are using a container with drainage holes, you can also bottom or reverse water your plants. This involves placing the plant containers directly into a dish, bathtub, or sink filled with a few inches of water. The water will naturally be gradually absorbed into the soil through the holes in the bottom of the container. This will take roughly 10 minutes to an hour depending on the plant and size of the container.

It is generally better to under water than to over water. Over watering your plant can lead to root rot, which is tricky to deal with. Make sure you use containers with drainage holes, and have a layer of well-draining soil or even small rocks at the bottom of the container to prevent stagnation.

While some plants such as cacti and succulents prefer dry air and bright, direct light, some plants prefer more humidity. Be sure to learn which of your plants prefer a more or less humid environment.

During the winter, or drier months, you can place several plants that require similar humidity levels close together. This will help create a more humid microclimate!

Other ways to increase humidity would be placing a more tropical-oriented plant in a sunny bathroom, or purchasing a humidifier which can be good for both you and your plant!

For more information, check out some of our online resources such as:

Taming the potted beast : the strange and sensational history of the not-so-humble houseplant by Molly Williams

While not always necessary, many plants benefit from added nutrients to their soil. As a general rule of thumb when it comes to fertilizers - less is more!

Store bought fertilizers should be diluted with water. If you cook rice at home, save the water used to wash it! This can be used to water the plants and acts as a great mild fertilizer. Used coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and great for high-foliage plants; be sure to allow the grinds to completely dry out and sprinkle over the soil. Leftover brewed coffee is also high in magnesium and potassium; simply allow to cool, dilute with water, and use monthly or less on plants that enjoy higher acidity such as aloe or ferns.

Indoor plants require less fertilizer than outdoor plants. New soil has enough nutrients so if you have recently repotted a plant, it is alright to hold off on fertilizer for a few months to a year.