Simple Logic to a Greener Thumb
Caring for indoor plants can seem challenging at times, after all, plants are so different from one another! Each plant really does have its own personality. Our goal today is to offer you some simple logic on indoor plants, helping you to achieve a greener thumb! Keep in mind that each plant is unique and these are general principles.
Simple logic:
- If your plant has a flower on it, it will require a lot of light, versus a foliage plant that can tolerate lower light conditions. For example, hibiscus plants require 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, in comparison to zz plants which can survive under fluorescent lighting.
- And while #1 is great, also keep in mind that foliage that develops colors (Hawaiian Ti, Crotons, etc) will want more sun than a zz plant would. However, this can range from full sun to bright indirect light.
- Now that you can estimate your lighting needs, let’s logic through watering. If your plant is placed in full sun all day, it’s going to dry out faster than one placed in shade. Think if you spent the day outdoors in the sun or inside in the shade, you would probably drink more water if you were outside in the heat. So, plants in more direct sunlight tend to need to be watered more frequently. Again, there’s a sliding scale here, and some plants prefer to be on the dry or wet side, but the basic principle is the same.
- Continuing on this thread, let’s think about the current heat waves. Super hot conditions, mean your plant is likely to dry out quicker. Take notes on its placement (sunlight exposure, temperature, humidity) and adjust accordingly. Elevated humidity will help with hydration, whereas lower will dry out the plant faster. Watch for signs of stress such as burned leaves, leaves/flowers dropping or wilting and act. Be careful not to overwater.
This logic is very simple, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook the small stuff… especially as a nervous, new plant parent! While understanding these principles will help your general knowledge, we always do recommend specifically looking up the plant you’re interested in and taking notes of their needs. If you have a spot in your home picked out, make sure the plant will fit the conditions that spot can provide.
Happy Planting Friends!
