11 Essential Tips for Indoor Plant Care and Maintenance

Each species of indoor plant has its own specific care and needs, but they all share some basic requirements: watering, light, temperature, and soil. While the first three aspects are generally very specific to each plant species, soil can be handled more generally with some exceptions. By ensuring the right watering frequency, providing adequate light, maintaining a suitable climate for the plant, and using quality soil, your indoor plants will maintain enviable health. We also recommend checking out our other article about what indoor plants need to thrive.

However, in addition to understanding these basic needs, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific needs of each species, especially regarding the differences in requirements among various plants. We advise consulting with a professional when selecting plants that will best suit your home rather than choosing based solely on aesthetics.

This is the most crucial aspect of caring for most plants, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor. Most plants benefit from frequent, light watering that keeps the soil slightly moist without waterlogging the roots. However, it’s essential to check the specific water needs for the type of plant you own before watering.

When it comes to watering, it’s best to use rainwater or water with low mineralization, though many plants can tolerate tap water. If you choose this option, let the water sit overnight so the minerals settle at the bottom, preventing excess from entering the plant’s soil.

Moreover, always water using a can with fine holes, ensuring that you moisten the soil rather than the plant itself. By following these indoor plant watering tips, you can avoid many issues related to fungus and root rot. This is especially crucial when learning how to care for flowering indoor plants, as you should avoid wetting the flowers.

Some plants, such as succulents or other species adapted to dry climates, are highly resistant to drought and can tolerate spaced-out watering. In fact, these plants are often sensitive to excess moisture, which can lead to fungal infections or root rot. This type of plant typically requires watering only when the top layer of soil is completely dry, which you can easily check by inserting a finger below the surface.

Tropical plants kept indoors also require a constant level of humidity, due to their tropical origins. These plants may need to be watered more than once a day depending on the humidity levels in your home, and they also benefit from having water misted onto their leaves to provide moisture and refresh them.

All plants require light for photosynthesis, though the amount of direct sunlight they need can vary greatly. In general, an indoor plant does not require excessive hours of direct sunlight.

Nonetheless, placing indoor plants near a window or balcony is usually an excellent choice for them. Make sure to inform yourself about the specific light requirements for your plant species to determine which varieties thrive in indirect light and which ones require more sunlight.

Similar to light, the location and climate play a crucial role in the health of your indoor plants. Even within the home, local climate conditions greatly influence temperature. Some plants require certain temperature ranges to grow properly, and while some species may thrive in drafts, others do not tolerate them at all. Generally, it’s best to avoid placing any indoor plants near heaters or air conditioning units, as these tend to dry out the environment.

Therefore, before buying a plant, it’s vital to clearly understand the specific needs of the species and to ask any questions you may have to the professional assisting you.

Most plants require a light, nutrient-rich soil that also provides good drainage. We recommend a universal mix comprising one part peat, one part worm humus, and one part coconut coir, supplemented with vermiculite and perlite, placed on a layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom of the pot. This universal mix is effective for most plants, although some, like succulents, may need more specific soil types. As nutrients in the soil diminish over time, it’s essential to renew the soil partially or completely every few months.

In caring for potted plants, it’s also crucial that the pot has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging. If you use a plate under the pot, make sure to empty it about ten minutes after watering. Furthermore, most plants will benefit from an annual or biannual re-potting into a larger container, during which you can also replace some of the soil with enriched nutrients.

As previously mentioned, the nutrient reserves in the soil deplete more quickly than one might anticipate, thus necessitating the regular addition of fertilizer. Keep in mind that if you’ve used humus in your soil mixture, it’s highly nutritious, so you will only need to add fertilizer, nutrients, or organic materials during the warmer months, according to each plant’s needs. Typically, it’s essential to consider the plant’s main growing season and flowering periods to apply the appropriate fertilizer during these times of heightened nutrient demand.

Fertilizer can come in liquid form, basic organic matter, or other formats such as slow-release pellets or granules. Check with your trusted gardening store about which type of fertilizer is most suitable for your plants.

During winter, many plants need to enter a state of dormancy to rest and prepare for growth and flowering in the warmer months. Typically, this involves keeping them away from heating sources, radiators, or air conditioning units, and reducing watering and fertilizer application significantly. By doing so, you will allow your indoor plants to enter the necessary dormancy period. However, be sure to verify whether your specific plant species requires this adjustment before altering their care routine.

In summer, unlike during the colder months, indoor plants’ needs for water and nutrients significantly increase. Ensure their leaves do not turn yellow due to either dryness or excess sunlight, and provide organic matter or fertilizer in their soil or during watering. If you notice your plant developing yellow leaves, consult our article on yellowing leaves in plants: causes and solutions.