Troubleshooting Common Problems in Houseplants

Posted on by micah catherine
succulent plants in glass vase troubleshooting problems with houseplants

Houseplants are some of the best additions you can make to your home, but caring for them can sometimes be a challenge. I’ve had my fair share of plant woes (I see you, succulents), so this week’s blog post is all about troubleshooting common problems you’ll most likely experience.

Most houseplants, like the golden pothos, are fairly low-maintenance and won’t need much care from you. But paying attention to the common signs that show they’re in need of a little extra love will keep them happy and healthy for much longer. Here are six common mistakes new plant parents can make and how to fix them:

1. Overwatering
Perhaps the most common mistake you can make is overwatering your plants. Don’t worry! It’s easy to do, but once you’re aware of how to properly water your plants, you won’t be making this mistake again. If mature leaves are turning yellow or new leaves look more brown than light green, hold off the watering for a while. The best way to keep your plant from drowning is to only water it when 1-2 inches of the top layer of soil no longer feels moist. It’s ok to wait to water your plant until the soil is quite dry.

2. Underwatering
Your plant will make it fairly obvious if you’re not giving it enough water. The leaves will turn pale yellow and sickly and may even feel dry and crisp to the touch. The stems will be droopy and weak. If you notice that the soil is very dry and crumbly, it’s time to water! Give your plant a good soaking, then be sure to follow the tip above to ensure you’re providing the proper amount of water.

3. Root Rot
Plants that have been overwatered for too long can fall victim to root rot. This condition can occur when the soil is too dense or the pot doesn’t have a proper drainage hole. This leaves the soil moist long enough for fungus to grow and spread. If your plant has more yellow leaves than not, remove it from the pot and check to see if the roots look dark and soggy. If so, gently remove all the soil from the roots, cut away the unhealthy roots, and repot. Most importantly, don’t overwater your plant!

4. Too Much Sun
Many houseplants don’t actually require much direct sunlight. This is what makes them so easy to care for! If your plant is getting too much sun, many or all the leaves will pale and become yellow-brown, tan, or even appear scorched. You may be able to accommodate the high levels of sunlight by watering your plant more. However, it is probably best to move the plant to a less sunny part of your home and replace it with one that loves spending time in direct sunlight, like a cactus or succulent.

5. Too Little Sun
Much like when plants are underwatered, if a plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it’ll appear wilted and droopy. The leaves will feel soft and curl inward and also easily fall off the stem. Certain plants can also grow tall and spindly, leaning toward any source of natural light. If your plant is looking pale and dreary, simply move it closer to a window and let it soak up some rays. It won’t take long for your plant to perk up again.

6. Overlooking Pests
Unfortunately, indoor plants can attract pesky insects, too. Fungal gnats, spider mites, and other pests can seriously damage your plants. Check routinely for signs of an infestation, including white veins, yellowing blotches, and streaks on leaves. And, of course, actual insects. If you see signs of trouble, spray your plants with neem oil, a non-toxic and natural pesticide you can find at your local garden center. Once the insects are gone, you can keep them from returning by misting your plants monthly with a 1:1 rubbing alcohol-water solution mixed with 1 teaspoon of dish soap.

Keep Your Plants Happy
Now that you know some common problems many people have with their houseplants, you’ll be better able to diagnose the cause of your own. And keep your plants happy and thriving long-term! Have specific questions about one of your plants? I’d love to help!

XO,
Micah

The Science Behind Why Plants Make You Happy

Posted on by micah catherine 4 Comments
woman standing on road surrounded by trees and bushes

It’s evident that at some point in my life, specifically where plants are concerned, I crossed the threshold from casual acquaintanceship into full-fledged obsession. You could say they just kind of grew on me.

But more so, I realized plants provide an outlet for me to feed my nurturing side and my creativity, without being intrusive or demanding. I’ve clearly tapped into the emotional side of being a plant mama, but there’s actual scientific evidence about how plants can make you happier and healthier. Here’s what we know so far:

Plants Purify the Air
You may already know this one, but having plants around your home has greater benefits than simply adding an aesthetic touch. The friendly folks at NASA, in their Clean Air Study, found that the presence of greenery in homes and offices removed such toxins as ammonia, formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. Those are all fancy words for chemicals that lurk in common household items like printing ink, paper towel, detergent, and window cleaner. Plants gather these toxic fumes through their roots and leaves, breaking them down into byproducts they can use as food later. What does that leave us? Purer, healthier air to breathe. Not a bad trade-off.

Plants Reduce Stress
Many people, including myself, feel naturally drawn to the calming effects of nature. More research is now surfacing that speaks to both the physiological and psychological benefits of keeping plants around your home or workspace. In fact, interacting with plants on a regular basis can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, while improving mood and relaxation. (Think of it as the coveted endorphin rush, but without having to wheeze through a 3-mile run.) As someone who struggles with anxiety, immersion in nature has an almost instantaneously positive effect on my emotional state. I’ve also found that the routine nurturing of plants provides a much-needed respite from the stress of everyday life.

Plants Boost Cognitive Skills
Struggling to concentrate or be productive? Buy a plant! Studies conducted by Exeter University in the UK and Texas A&M here concluded that flowers and potted plants boosted creativity and problem-solving skills. Even the University of Michigan is getting the dirt on the benefits of plants, including how nature can have a profound effect on memory and even improve attention spans, with results similar to those you’d get from meditating. A walk in the park and a consequential boost in memory retention sounds a lot more enjoyable than completing a sudoku. But then again, numbers really aren’t my thing. Perhaps I should try meditating again … but maybe in a room full of plants this time.

Plants Help You Heal
While we already know the emotional healing plants provide, they’re also pros at accelerating physical healing, too. The concept of horticultural therapy is centuries old, but there’s a reason it has been gaining more recognition in recent years. The emotional and cognitive benefits of plants naturally create a better healing environment within our physical bodies. In fact, it’s recommended that potted greenery and flowers adorn the windowsills in hospital rooms of patients who’ve recently undergone surgery. Who wouldn’t want significantly reduced anxiety, pain, and fatigue as they recover? Best of all, therapeutic plantlife is inexpensive and noninvasive, providing significant health benefits for the minimal maintenance they require. Hospital gift shops have already figured this out, of course.

Plants Improve Mindfulness
Most houseplants need very little attention or affection (though I do think carrying on conversations with your plants is perfectly acceptable and perhaps even recommended). However, the mere act of tending to and nurturing a living thing can take focus from ourselves and transition it into gentle, purposeful care of something else. In fact, literally getting your hands dirty in microbiome-rich potting soil can be good for our immune system and can have antidepressive effects. As if that weren’t enough, more studies suggest that being in the midst of nature can foster better connections with people and kinder feelings toward others. Is it time to gift a plant to a not-so-friendly coworker or neighbor? Possibly.

Plant Care Is Self Care
I truly believe that caring for plants can positively impact people, in more ways than one! Do you agree with the scientific discoveries, or are you still skeptical? I’m curious to hear your opinion!

XO,
Micah


How to Keep an Indoor Herb Garden Thriving

Posted on by micah catherine 2 Comments
Woman holding orange clay pot in hand with herb garden basil plant in dirt

If you’ve never eaten a Caprese salad topped with fresh basil, I truly believe you’re missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures. Perhaps even better? Knowing that those viridescent, tear-drop leaves came from your very own herb garden, nurtured by your diligent and gentle care.

If you’re thinking you’ve never been that lucky or you simply don’t possess a seasoned green thumb, read on! Herbs can be tricky to grow and may need a little more love than other plants, but with watchful care and the right environment, you’ll have them thriving in no time. These tips are specifically related to an indoor herb garden, so you can enjoy the aroma, beauty, and taste of fresh herbs all year long! Here’s what you need to know:

Consider What You Love
Herbs provide flavor and color to a variety of foods and drinks, so when planning your herb garden, think first of your favorite (or most common) recipes. Do you routinely make tacos? Enjoy an occasional mojito? Love bruschetta? Your ideal herb garden may include cilantro, mint, and basil. Perhaps you prefer spaghetti, fish, or vegetable soup. Your pots may be filled with oregano, dill, and parsley. Whatever your tastes, follow with your selection of herbs.

Pro Tip: If you’ve never grown an indoor garden, take it slow with just a couple plants. Sweet basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, and parsley are great starter herbs and are incredibly versatile in the kitchen.

Plant Your Herbs Properly
It might be tempting to have a mason jar herb garden, but like all plants, herbs need water to drain through the soil properly to avoid root rot. This doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with the styles and colors! Just be sure to choose pots that have drainage holes and saucers. If you live in a humid climate, use clay-based pots that dry out quickly. Ceramic pots, which retain water longer, are ideal for dry climates. Pots that are about 10 inches in diameter are a good fit for the herb plants you’ll find at your local garden center. When planting, use a light-weight potting mix (not a generic garden soil) with perilite to ensure proper drainage and drying between watering.

Select a Sunny Location
Herbs need about six hours of bright, direct sunlight each day. In fact, the more sunlight your herbs receive (well, within reason), the more flavorful they’ll be. If possible, place your herbs in front of a southern-facing window. Don’t worry if your home doesn’t produce sufficient natural light. You can purchase a fluorescent light from any hardware store or opt for more distinguished indoor planters with LED grow lights. Overall, herb gardens grow the best when the indoor temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees, with moderate humidity.

Pro Tip: Keep a close watch on the condition of your herbs. Too much sun and heat can burn leaves, while drafty windows can be too cold.

Take Care when Watering
Herbs tend to be a little finicky about how much water they need, and how often. The key to happy, hydrated herbs is in the soil. For most herbs, you’ll want to dry out the pots between waterings, so use the finger test to determine when your herbs need another drink. In general, if the soil is dry about 2 inches below the surface, slowly wet the soil around the base of the plant until you see water seeping into the saucer. Watering frequency and soil condition vary between each type of herb (basil prefers consistently moist soil, while oregano likes dirt to dry out between waterings). Each of your herb plant tags will provide specifications on water amount and frequency.

Prune and Harvest Routinely
Herbs, like all plants, need routine pruning to stay healthy. But this simply means you’ll be able to harvest the tender, flavorful leaves on a regular basis! Culinary herbs like basil, parsley, mint, and oregano thrive when routinely cut back. Using kitchen scissors, trim the top few inches of healthy longer branches, then cut off any dead branches or leaves. The healthy trimmings can be kept in a glass of water for up to a week, during which time you can use them in your cooking. Harvested trimmings left in water will also grow roots and within a few weeks, will be ready for repotting, too. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to use your herbs fresh or add them back into your garden!

Get Your Garden Growing
Ready to try growing an indoor herb garden for the first time? Already successfully keeping herbs alive? Share your stories!

XO,
Micah