Basic plant care involves choosing the correct plant for your specific location. Before you purchase a houseplant, make sure you have an appropriate place for it in your home.

Unfortunately there is not one schedule for watering all houseplants. The amount of water required is dependant on the type of plant, size of pot, its location, and its phase of growth.

When should a plant be watered?

As a general rule, water your houseplants when the surface of the soil feels dry. You can test these moisture levels in your soil, using the simple Thumb Test. Just place either your thumb or index finger into the top layer of soil- if it feels dry and crumbly, your houseplant would like a drink.

What is the best time of day to water?

Morning is generally the best time to water, especially in bright or locations.

How should a plant be watered?

It is best to water houseplants either directly on the root ball, making sure to avoid the foliage and flowers or into the saucer under the plant.

If your houseplant is extremely dry, you can use the immersion method, which involves placing the pot up to its upper rim in a large bucket of water until air bubbles have stopped rising to the top.

If your houseplant requires a humid environment you should mist the foliage 1-2 times per day with lime-free water at room temperature.

General Tips for people who water too much?

1. Always use the thumb test- then water depending on results
2. Water into the plants saucer instead of directly on the root ball
3. Place gravel in the plant saucer
4. Select plants that require more water

General Tips for people who water too little?

1. Use clay pots rather then plastic as they help to retain the moisture.
2. Place plants in an immersion bath from time to time.
3. Choose plants that don’t require a lot of water.

Plants have a habit of letting you know when they require fertilizer. The leaves may change color, growth may slow down, they may lose leaves and cease to bloom.  When you notice this occurring in spring and summer, it is time to fertilize.

Your various houseplants will also require different fertilizers. For example, a greenery plant will require different fertilizer then a blooming houseplant. Make sure you keep this in mind when selecting food for your tropicals.

Fertilizer comes in many forms including liquid, powders, granular, stakes and sticks. As each form differs in its strength, make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions.

Feeding tips

1. Fertilize regularly throughout your houseplants growing season
2. Remember fast growing plants need more fertilizer
3. Most plants require a rest phase through the colder months so make sure to not fertilize