There are many ways to install indoor plants, ranging from simple potted plants to more complex vertical wall systems. One such system is the LiveWall vertical plant wall system, which is designed to be simple and lasting, accessible and serviceable to a broad customer demographic.
The system is designed to parallel nature, with plants enjoying natural orientation. Stems are oriented upward, instead of sideways, and roots grow downward in nutrient-rich soil. Irrigation comes from above, like rainfall, and excess water drains from each planter for healthy, oxygen-enriched roots.
Another option is Natura, which offers indoor plant design, service and maintenance. Their team will deliver and install your live plants according to plan and provide professional care so you don’t have to worry about watering and maintaining your plants.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider Bidvest Execuflora. They offer a wide variety of indoor plants, flowers, trees and pots that can be rented or purchased at affordable prices.
Alternatively, you can explore The Spruce’s guide on indoor gardening systems. They provide a comprehensive beginner’s guide on the common types of indoor gardening systems available based on the type of plants you want to grow, your budget, available space, and your preferred aesthetic.
How do I take care of indoor plants?
Indoor plants require proper care to thrive. To ensure proper care, follow these tips: water the plants when the soil becomes lighter or appears cracked, and ensure they are placed in an area with 14 hours of sunlight a day. Use room temperature water, as too hot or cold can cause root damage and plant shock. Regularly fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer, monitor for pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects, and prune the plants regularly to remove dead or yellowing leaves. Increase humidity levels as needed.
Caring for indoor plants can be a rewarding experience. Here are important tips to help you take care of indoor plants:
- Watering: Keep the soil moist, but not too wet, by watering it only when the soil becomes lighter or appears cracked.
- ust do is determine what kind of plant you have, and follow guidelines on how often to water it by doing research on its specific type.
- Lighting: Put the plant in an area that gets about 14 hours of sunlight a day, and don’t move it too often.
- Temperature: Use water that is at room temperature (68° F or 20° C) to water your plants. Water that is too hot can cause root damage and plant shock, potentially killing your indoor plant. Water that is too cold causes dormancy in your plant, which will stifle any existing and future vegetation.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize your plants regularly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer.
- Pests: Watch out for spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. If you notice any pests, remove them immediately using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Pruning: Prune your plants regularly to remove dead or yellowing leaves and promote new growth.
- Humidity: Some indoor plants require higher humidity levels than others. You can increase humidity levels by placing a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier.
How do I repot my indoor plant?
Repotting an indoor plant is a crucial part of their care. To repot, gently water the plant, remove it from its current pot, care for the root ball, and cut away dead or rotted roots. Choose a larger pot and add fresh potting soil directly.
Gently set the new plant in the pot, backfill with soil or compost, and water thoroughly until liquid seeps from the drainage holes at the bottom. For more detailed instructions, refer to The Spruce’s guide or watch informative videos on YouTube. Research specific care instructions for your specific indoor plant.
Repotting indoor plants is an essential part of care. Here are some general steps to help you repot your indoor plant:
- Prepare the plant for extraction: Lightly water the plant and let it dry for an hour or so. Gently remove the plant from its current pot by turning the pot over and pulling it up and away from the root ball. Avoid yanking the plant out by the stem, as this can cause damage.
- Care for the root ball: It’s okay to gently loosen the root ball with a finger or a fork, but be careful not to cause any root damage. Cut away any dead or rotted roots. If you plan on repotting the plant into the same size pot, you may want to consider root pruning.
- Prepare the new pot: Choose a pot that is one size larger than the current pot. Plastic or ceramic pots are both suitable options, depending on your preference. Add fresh potting soil directly to the pot, without adding pebbles or other drainage media to the bottom.
- Plant: Gently set the new plant in its new pot and backfill with soil or compost. Make sure not to plant it deeper than it was in the original pot. Press the soil down firmly as you fill in and tap the pot gently to settle all the dirt.
- Water: Thoroughly water your newly repotted plant until liquid seeps from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
For more detailed instructions, you can refer to The Spruce’s guide on how to repot houseplants1. Additionally, there are several informative videos available on YouTube that demonstrate how to repot indoor plants.
Remember, different plants have different needs, so it’s always a good idea to research specific care instructions for your particular indoor plant.
Kind of Soil Should I use for Repotting?
When repotting indoor plants, it’s important to choose the right soil to ensure your plants thrive. According to The Spruce, a quality potting soil mix is the easiest way to set up your houseplants’ soil for succes.
Here are some of the best potting soils for indoor plants according to The Spruce:
- Wonder Soil Organic Potting Soil: This is our top choice and is suitable for just about any plant. It contains earthworm castings, kelp, perlite, and coco coir, which expands and keeps plants moist for longer.
- FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil: This multi-purpose soil is perfect for indoor plants that require a lot of nutrients. It contains earthworm castings, bat guano, and sea-going fish and crab meal.
- Sun Gro Horticulture Black Gold African Violet Mix: This soil is specifically formulated for African violets but can also be used for other indoor plants. It contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
If you prefer to make your own potting mix, you can mix up composted bark, coconut coir, peat, perlite, vermiculite, pumice, and other soil additives 2. However, this is a more advanced option that requires some knowledge of plant care.
After that there are many plant utilities but first we need to know about common houseplant pests.
What are some common houseplant pests?
Common houseplant pests include scales, mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids. Scales are soft-bodied insects that suck plant sap, producing a waxy coating.
Mealybugs have a waxy coating and produce dew, causing yellowing, dying leaves, and stunted growth. Spider mites feed on plant sap, causing leaves to turn yellow or brown and fall off. Whiteflies feed on plant sap, causing yellowing and attracting ants.
Aphids cause leaves to curl or become distorted. To control these pests, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, while horticultural oil can be used for spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids.
There are several common houseplant pests that can be detrimental to the health of your plants. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Scales: These soft-bodied insects suck plant sap and produce a waxy, protective coating that makes them difficult to spot. They are most likely to be found on the underside of leaves and on stems, although they occasionally appear on the upper leaf surface as well. Scale-infested leaves may turn yellow or drop off and stems die back.
- Mealybugs: These sapsuckers also have a waxy coating and make dew. Signs of a mealybug infestation can include the presence of waxy deposits on the plant, black sooty mold that grows on the honeydew produced by these insects, and sometimes yellowing and dying leaves, and distorted or stunted plant growth.
- Spider Mites: These pests are difficult to see with the eye but can cause significant damage to your plants. They feed on plant sap, causing leaves to turn yellow or brown and fall off.
- Whiteflies: These small, white insects feed on plant sap and can cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off. They also produce a sticky substance called honeydew that attracts ants and can lead to the growth of black sooty mold.
- Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects feed on plant sap and can cause leaves to curl or become distorted. They also produce honeydew, which can lead to the growth of black sooty mold.
If you notice any of these pests on your indoor plants, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent them from spreading. You can use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control scales and mealybugs, while spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
What are some common indoor plant diseases?
Common indoor plant diseases include root and stem rot, fungal leaf spots, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and bacterial leaf spots. Root and stem rot, caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil, can cause wilting, browning, and yellowing of foliage and stems.
Fungal leaf spots, characterized by circular or irregularly shaped spots, are most prevalent in cool and wet conditions. Anthracnose, a soil-borne fungal disease, can cause dark lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits.
Powdery mildew, characterized by white powdery coatings, thrives in warm and humid conditions. Bacterial leaf spots, caused by various bacteria, can cause water-soaked lesions and yellow halos. Proper care and ventilation can help prevent these diseases.
Indoor plants can be susceptible to various diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Here are some common indoor plant diseases:
- Root and Stem Rot: Overwatering or poorly draining soil can lead to root and stem rot. Fungal organisms such as Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Phytophthora are the most common culprits. Symptoms include wilting from the bottom up, browning or yellowing foliage and stems, mushy brown or black roots, and a rotten smell. Prevention involves using well-draining soil, watering only when necessary, and reducing watering in winter.
- Fungal Leaf Spots: Various fungi can cause fungal leaf spots on houseplants. These spots are most prevalent in cool and wet conditions. Symptoms include circular or irregularly shaped spots on leaves that may be brown, yellow, or black. Prevention and treatment involve removing infected leaves, improving air circulation, and avoiding overhead watering.
- Anthracnose: Anthracnose is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects a range of plants, including houseplants. It can be difficult to get rid of this disease as the spores overwinter on leaves and branches. Symptoms include dark lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits. Prevention involves removing infected plant material and improving air circulation.
- Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease characterized by a white powdery coating on leaves, stems, and flowers. It thrives in warm and humid conditions. Prevention and treatment involve improving air circulation, reducing humidity, and removing infected plant material.
- Bacterial Leaf Spot: Bacterial leaf spot is caused by various bacteria and affects many types of plants. Symptoms include water-soaked lesions that turn brown or black with yellow halos. Prevention involves avoiding overhead watering and removing infected plant material.
These are just a few examples of common indoor plant diseases. Proper care, including providing adequate light, water, and ventilation, can help prevent many diseases from affecting your indoor plants.
How do I prevent indoor plant diseases?
Preventing indoor plant diseases is crucial for maintaining the health and vitality of your plants. Here are some tips to help you prevent indoor plant diseases:
- Choose healthy plants: Start with healthy plants from reputable sources. Inspect the plants for any signs of pests, diseases, or stress before bringing them home.
- Quarantine new plants: Isolate new plants from your existing collection for a few weeks to monitor them for any signs of pests or diseases. This will help prevent the spread of potential problems to your other plants.
- Provide proper lighting: Different plants have different light requirements. Make sure to place your plants in areas that provide the appropriate amount of light for their specific needs. Insufficient light can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to diseases.
- Avoid overwatering: Overwatering can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases. Water your plants only when the soil is dry to the touch, and make sure the pots have proper drainage to prevent waterlogging.
- Practice good hygiene: Regularly clean your indoor plant containers, tools, and surrounding areas to remove any debris or dead plant material that can harbor pests or diseases.
- Monitor humidity levels: Some indoor plants thrive in high humidity, while others prefer drier conditions. Monitor the humidity levels in your home and adjust them accordingly using humidifiers or by placing trays of water near your plants.
- Avoid overcrowding: Overcrowding can create a favorable environment for pests and diseases by restricting airflow and increasing humidity levels. Give your plants enough space to grow and ensure good air circulation around them.
- Inspect regularly: Regularly inspect your plants for any signs of pests, diseases, or stress. Early detection is key to preventing the spread of problems and minimizing damage .
- Use sterile soil: Use fresh, sterile potting soil when repotting your indoor plants to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens into their root systems.
- Avoid overfertilizing: Over fertilization can lead to nutrient imbalances and weaken plants’ natural defenses against diseases. Follow the recommended fertilization guidelines for each type of plant.
Remember that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to indoor plant diseases. By following these tips, you can create a healthy environment for your indoor plants and minimize the risk of diseases.
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