Bringing the Outside In
One of the easiest ways to spruce up a space is to add a plant to it! In this article, I'll talk about how houseplants make a great conversation piece, accent, or a fun way to bring the outside in!
Want to bring life to a space? Get a houseplant!
There are many ways to spruce up a room: sculptures, paintings, maybe even an area rug but none of those come close to a plant. I’m not talking about those synthetic ones made of silk or whatever else they are made of, I’m talking about real, live plants!
There are tens of thousands of options when it comes to plants that can be grown indoors and as one can imagine–quite overwhelming to choose one. Every plant has needs in order to thrive and you want to get those needs just right.
Plants, in general, have three basic needs: light, water, and air. No two plants are exactly alike and some have more needs than others but for purposes of getting started with indoor plants–let’s stick to these three, for now.
When buying a plant, any plant, get an understanding for the type of light it will need. If it needs bright light most of the day, place it in an area that receives such light. If a plant needs lower light conditions, provide that for it. If you don’t have a space that receives or provides the type of light a given plant needs, all is not lost. Bought a plant that needs bright light for much of the day but you can’t provide it easily: buy a grow light for it. Gifted a plant that requires low light conditions in order to thrive: stick it in a bathroom. Avoid placing a plant in an area that is not suitable for the light it needs as it can result in poor growth or even death of the plant.
Plants are living, breathing things and they need water but watering plants comes down to one thing: provide what is needed, when it is needed. Some plant parents, especially new ones, like to water their plants too frequently and that has just as much of a detrimental effect as not watering enough. Overwatering, believe it or not, is one of the number one killers of plants but the good thing is overwatering can be solved rather simply by feeling the soil. If you place your index fingertip in the soil and it feels dry, it may be time to water. If it feels wet, do not water. One caveat, though: plants in large pots have a lot more moisture near the roots so just because it’s dry at the surface doesn’t mean the plant needs water. The best way to measure if to get a moisture meter and test near the roots. If it’s dry near the roots, it’s time for a drink!
Airflow is often overlooked when it comes to keeping plants indoors. Poor airflow can contribute to a number of issues but those that stand out are not enough airflow which can cause mold and mildew. If there is no airflow or low/poor airflow, the roots do not breath well and if the plant sits in water for too long, it will rot and die. Other airflow issues include drafty air and too much air which can cause the plant to be too cold or dry out faster than usual.
Now that you have a primer as to what a plant needs, it is time to go out and look for the first one to buy. One of the easiest plants to grow and get a good feel for plant keeping is the Pothos. Pothos comes in many varieties and can be found at nearly any big box home improvement store, nursery or any place that sells plants.
