Indoor Plants, Their Progression.
02/7/2013
Houseplants are part of American history. Everyone likes the idea of having houseplants in their homes for their soothing effects and the added benefit of ridding pollutants. NASA has done research to prove that ammonia and formaldehyde, and a number of other toxic chemicals can be taken out by some of our botanical indoor buddies. Indoor plants have been a part of our home for a long time, although plants in our homes are relatively a new thing. In the old days before glass windows were ubiquitous, people had to think of other ways to keep their plants safe from the elements. They would board up and/or use bricks to cover openings in their homes, and not until the early 16-century did people start developing glass windows for the masses; this shift caused folks to start growing plants indoors. What were they growing? Philodendrons, pothos, and sansevierias also called mother-in-laws tongue are easy to grow. Almost anybody can grow indoor plants. That being said I’m amazed at the number of people who say: “I kill every plant I come in contact with.” If you try these tried and true plants you’ll almost always have success.
Water is the key to life not only for us but also for plants. How often should you water? Well it depends upon the plant size, the larger the container the longer you can go between watering. If you’re not sure about the moisture content use a moisture meter or your index finger, if it’s dry you probably need to water again.
One other factor that’s keys to having successful indoor plant growth is the light level. Most plants need a good deal of light. So how can one tell? If you put your hand out and you can’t see the shade or the silhouette of your hand you probably don’t have enough light for the average indoor plant. Remember that most indoor plants need a good deal of light, so make sure your plants are within 2 to 3 feet of a bright window.
Fertilization is something everybody worries about and yet if you’re going to give it a water-soluble plant food during the warm months or in the growing months, use half strength once a month for your indoor plants. If you use a time-released fertilizer, which looks like little bb’s, these will feed for 3 to 6 months. No extra fertilization will be needed for your indoor plants. They truly are easy to grow. Just remember like your family and friends you will lose them on occasion, it’s a normal part of life, except it, embrace it, and move on.