Are You Accidentally Killing Your Indoor Plants Without Realising It?
From watering your plants incorrectly to placing them in too-small pots, these are some reasons why you might struggling to keep your plant babies alive
Do your plants look happy and healthy one day, and the next they're shrivelled and sadly deceased? You're not alone. The good news is that there could be a very simple explanation for the growing number of sad plants in your green waste bin.
Here are five ways you might be accidentally killing your plants.
Yes, you can kill your plant with kindness by giving it too much water. Over-watering your plants means the roots are sitting in liquid for too long, which leads to rot.
But you can also kill it with neglect. Horticulturist and Northcote Pottery ambassador Melissa King offers the following advice: "If your indoor plants are looking a bit sad, don't automatically reach for the watering can. Do the finger test first. Poke your finger into the soil – if it's dry a few centimetres or so down, then give your plant a drink. If it's soggy and wet, allow the soil to dry out. Always check to make sure that your plants are not sitting in a pool of water."
Plants need sunlight in order to grow, so if you've popped your pot in a lacklustre position that doesn't see the sun, it could be curtains for it fairly soon. Try rotating your plants around (both indoors and sometimes give them a day outside) so that they get a chance to soak up some rays.
You'll need to choose plants that like shade if you want them to survive in rooms that don't see much sun, such as bathrooms. King recommends Mother-in-Law's Tongue (pictured below) as a virtually indestructible plant that can survive in low light levels. Plus it has a pointy, upright form and striking white-yellow and green foliage that looks superb.
When you bring a plant into your home, you need to remember that your house is not its natural habitat. The air inside your home is very different to that of the outside world. If you've got your air-conditioning on, this will remove moisture from the air, which can cause indoor plants to dehydrate.
Some plants are so happy inside that they have a bit of a growth spurt and end up outgrowing the space they're in. You'll know when this happens as the water will run straight out of the pot when you water it, or you'll see roots growing outside the drainage holes or out of the topsoil.
Re-pot the plant with some fresh soil and this will encourage more growth (and give you a happier plant). If you're stuck on how big or small your plant's new home should be, no fear — you can find a diversity of indoor pots here.
Just when you thought the cleaning was done, we're here to tell you that you need to keep the leaves of your plants clean too. Over time, dust can build up on your indoor plants, which means they can't absorb the sun.
Plus, if you give your plants a quick wipe down, they'll look fantastic. King has another idea that you can try too – take your plant for a cold shower. "I like to give my indoor plants a more thorough clean every few months by popping them in the shower," she says.
Just don't use hot water. A shower helps to remove any build up on the leaves and gives them a fresh glossy new look. You could also pop them out in the rain or give them a good sprinkling with the hose.
Text: Homes To Love