13 Ways To Not Kill Your Indoor Plants
You raised them as your own... and then slaughtered them mercilessly.
You had one job: watering your new plant. But it's been a week and it's already dying.
You didn't plan to become a plant-killer. And yet, your death toll has reached such massive proportions that it's becoming a bit terrifying.
Keeping a living creature alive in such a hostile environment as your apartment can seem impossible, but follow a few simple steps and you're on your way to turning your home into a bonafide greenhouse.
1. Purchase plants that do well indoors. Look for plants that prefer indirect sunlight and don't require a lot of watering.
2. Choose the right pot for your plant. For those that require more moisture, plastic can help retain water. Clay pots are porous so they're a good bet if you are a nervous waterer.
Size matters. Choose a pot that is somewhere between 6 and 18 inches depending on the size of the plant. For a lengthier explanation of what material pot is best, check out this post by The Micro Gardener.
Check out more pictures of this plant-filled apartment at Glitter Guide.
3. To make sure you aren't over- or under-watering your plants, set a day (or two) each week to water your plants.
If establishing a routine is next to impossible for you, set alarms in your calendar so you don't forget.
The Jungalow is literally a blog-shrine to houseplants. Check it out here.
4. If you can't handle the enormous responsibility of watering your own plants, use this Froggy Plant Waterer ($7.50).
He'll do all the work while you sit on your butt watching Stranger Things or scrolling aimlessly on your phone. You can buy him at Planet Natural, but any self-watering planter is a great solution if you travel a lot or are generally irresponsible with your plants. You know who you are.
5. Yes, in fact, you can compost indoors! Anything from coffee grinds to vegetable peels can be tossed into your soil as a yummy snack for your plant.
No, it will not make your apartment smell repulsive. That is, as long as you follow a few rules.
Check out some great tips at Sustainable America.
6. Clean dusty leaves using soap, water, and a bit of mayo.
Yup, mayo is good for something. Check out the full tutorial at Apartment Therapy.
7. In this case, one bad leaf actually does spoil the bunch. Use sharp scissors to cut dead or damaged leaves at the root.
Learn how to make this super simple planter at It's Pretty Nice. Check out a more thorough explanation of how to handle dead or dying leaves on Gardening Know How.
8. If your plant isn't looking so hot, the shape and coloring of the leaves can give you a hint of what your plant needs.
Check out more gardening tips on Safer Brand's blog.
9. Position your plant next to a south-facing window so that it receives as much light as possible.
Making sure your plant gets enough light during the winter is especially tough with shorter day hours, so choose the sunniest room in your house to house your plant. If your home doesn't allow for a ton of natural lighting consider choosing a plant that thrives in low or indirect lighting.
Check out Studio McGee's roundup of plants that can stand up to indoor conditions and how to keep them alive.
10. That means that if you are super committed to growing a bunch of succulents in your windowless bedroom, you're going to have to consider using an artificial light like this one.
11. Rotate your indoor plant regularly to assure that it receives light from all sides, or else you'll have an awkward lopsided plant that is craning toward the light.
Get more beautiful plant inspiration at Style Me Pretty.
12. Practice your newfound gardening skills on your kitchen leftovers by regrowing leafy greens from the roots.
13. If you just can't manage to keep living plants, well, living, take cuttings from your backyard or a few branches from your favorite florist and display them in creative ways.
Put them in lightbulbs, in flip flops, in your medicine cabinet, in drawers, the opportunities are endless. Check out a whole list of DIY planters here.