Growing into Fall: An Indoor Plant Guide for Plant Parent Newbies
As the outdoor temperature drops and tans begin to fade, it’s easy to fall into a bit of a seasonal slump. A great way to counter these moods and freshen up your world is to bring a little bit of that outdoor life indoors with you!
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that keeping plants alive is not always the easiest task, but in following this plant guide, I promise you’ll have a green thumb and severe to moderate plant addiction in no time.
Tip #1: Choose a plant that is flexible to various light and watering patterns
If you’re anything like me and are used to killing every green thing you touch, then this is an important first step to transitioning into plant parenthood. The number one cause of indoor plant deterioration is the inability to find that perfect balance of light and water. This is why my all-time favorite plant is the Pothos plant. Coming in a multitude of varieties, and growing full, beautiful and viny, the Pothos plant is the Julianne Hough of plants—between singing, dancing, acting and self-empowerment, she does it all.
As the green leaves cascade in all directions, you will not be disappointed with this extremely versatile plant. Pothos can grow in low to bright light, and do not require an insane amount of watering. This plant can turn any dull room into an earthy haven.
In addition to the Pothos, some hard-to-kill and easy to maintain houseplants that I would recommend for newbies include bamboo, Little Herman Ivy and Dracaena Marginata. All of these plants require minimal attention and are extremely adaptable to a variety of light environments.
Tip #2: Allow for drainage!
A big mistake people (including myself) often make is repotting their plant into a pot with zero drainage holes. No matter how well your environment is for the plant, not many plants will survive without drainage holes. Without space to drain plants will often suffocate and suffer from root rot, and after that there is really no bringing them back. An easy shortcut I like to take is leaving my plant in the plastic planters they come in, and then finding a pot big enough to just fit the planter right in.
Tip #3: When in doubt, google it out.
The maintenance and care of a plant is truly unique to each variety. That is why research is key! Each morning, Google is my best friend and I look into my different plant babies and advice that other plant owners might have about said plant. If certain leaves are changing colors or looking sad, I look that up and chances are in the world of plant owners someone else has had that same issue and solved it. Plant ownership is not just a hobby, it is a community and there are plenty of fellow plant owners who would love to help you make your indoor jungle a reality.
Tip #4: Humidity is your friend.
A good majority of plants love a decent amount of humidity. To achieve this factor without moving into a rainforest, I suggest buying yourself a small humidifier! Amazon offers a wide variety of quality humidifiers, many of them even doubling as essential oil diffusers. I purchased the VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser for $20 and I was not disappointed. The sleek mini wood grain humidifier has not only brought my plants happiness but has turned my room into a stress-relieving, lavender scented spa.
Tip #5: Invest in a moisture meter
The last and most beneficial tip I have for plant owner newbies is to buy a moisture meter. I promise it will be the best $10 you ever spend as a plant owner. Over and under watering is one of the most common causes of plant death, and the moisture meter works to identify exactly when and how much water your plant requires that day. You simply stick the moisture meter into the pot and if your levels are below the moist ranking, then your plant is thirsty. Anywhere within the moist levels and you can skip the watering for that day.
Coming from a highly addicted, well-seasoned plant owner, I wish you the best in your indoor garden endeavors and promise you won’t regret giving your home a little extra life this fall.
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