When Is the Best Time to Repot a Houseplant?

April 15, 2021 by micah catherine

The giddiness of owning your first plant (or two) is finally wearing off a bit, now that it has been taking over your home for a year. You’re now a pro at reading your plant’s subtle signs and never miss a watering. You’ve even attempted to fertilize it once or twice without causing any harm. In fact, your plant has grown quite a bit. Rumor has it that eventually, you’ll need to repot your houseplant. But when exactly is the best time? Glad you asked.

Why Repot?
Repotting your houseplant is one of the best ways you can keep it growing healthy and strong. Eventually, the small grow pot your plant came in will need to be swapped for one that accommodates its expanding root system. Without the extra space, your plant can become stressed and stunted, no matter how much you love you give. Equally important, potting up will give your plant nutrient-rich soil, even if you don’t change the pot size. Signs your plant is ready for a repot include:

Roots are growing out the drainage hole or poking through the top of the soil
Water drains quickly with each watering and your plant needs water more frequently
Your plant doesn’t seem to be growing, is growing slowly, or feels top-heavy
Salt and mineral buildup is noticeable around the exterior base of the pot

The Ideal Time to Repot a Houseplant
It’s always good to keep an eye on the above scenarios when determining a good time to repot. But there is an ideal time to transition your plant. Spring! Not surprisingly, springtime is when plants are leaping out of winter dormancy. Longer days and more hours of sunlight mean your plants will also start to experience significant growth. To provide the best environment for this growth spurt, a bigger pot and fresh soil are just what your plant needs.

First, remove your plant from its grow pot or container and check the roots. If your plant is rootbound, it will need to be up-potted to a size 1-2″ greater than the diameter of the root system. Be sure to choose a pot that has a drainage hole or drill one yourself. Remove as much of the old soil as possible without harming the root system. Then, place your plant in a new pot and fill in the empty spaces with new soil. Give your plant a gentle watering and watch it grow!

How Do You Repot?
I’m curious to know how and when you repot your houseplants? Do you notice significant changes when you do? Tell me in the comments!

XO,
Micah

The Best Advice to Give a New Plant Parent

March 25, 2021 by micah catherine 1 Comment

zz plant best advice for new plant parent

Plant ownership can be an exciting and rewarding adventure. Once you get a hang of it, that is. For the beginners, it can seem daunting and at times, even discouraging. There’s nothing quite like bringing your first plant home only to watch the flowers fade…and your enthusiasm with it. I’ve had a lot of experience caring for plants and through the trials, I’ve come to realize a few key things. Here is the best advice I can give to a new plant parent (and advice you can pass to others, too):

Know your home. Where you live has a big impact on your new plants. If your house or apartment has small windows, with mostly shadowed light, you’ll want to stick to plants like the ZZ Plant, Pothos, or Philodendron that don’t require high levels of sunlight. If your home is characterized by large windows and bright light, palms, succulents, and Snake Plants are good choices. Humidity also plays a factor: cacti like dry climates while ferns love muggy atmospheres.
Sense your style. Just like every plant is subtly different, so is every new plant parent. Will you be a helicopter parent constantly obsessing over every yellow leaf or dark spot? Or are you the laissez-faire type who’ll only get around to watering and fertilizing every few months? The better you know yourself, the easier it will be to pick plants—and keep them alive for longer. If you prefer being hands-on, a Fiddle Leaf Fig or Cyclamen might be your preferred plant. Look no further than a Golden Pothos if you’re planning on letting your new plant do its own thing.
Take your time. Being a new plant parent is tough. Things will get messy, and you’ll experience a few growing pains. If your first plant doesn’t survive, don’t immediately give up! Understanding the intricacies of individual plants and their care takes time…and a healthy amount of trial and error. If you keep trying, you’ll soon have a home filled with happy, thriving plants and plenty of advice to give to others!

Pro Tip: If you have pets around the house, you’ll want to make sure your new plants aren’t toxic. Here’s the complete list of toxic and non-toxic houseplants!

Ready to become a new plant parent?
It’s never too late to make the leap into plant parenthood! When the going gets tough, reach out to some fellow plant lovers for recommendations and encouragement. It won’t be long before you have a jungle of your own! What advice would you give to a new plant parent? I’d love to know in the comments!

XO,
Micah

How to Easily Revive a Dying Houseplant

March 11, 2021 by micah catherine 1 Comment

If you’re anything like most plant owners, you’ve probably had a houseplant die on you once or twice. (In the case of my succulents, the number is…somewhat greater.) The next time you see a few withered, brown leaves and drooping stems, don’t immediately give up hope. Your dying houseplant doesn’t have to meet an untimely expiration. I’ve put together a list of the common symptoms of a struggling plant, so you have a better chance of reviving it, as long as its roots are healthy. Check the following:

Water Quantity
Water is an essential part of keeping a plant alive and healthy. However, overwatering can actually harm your plant. A dying houseplant as a result of overwatering will have obvious signs: saturated soil and wilted, yellow leaves that are drooping. If this is the case, leave your plant in bright, indirect light and let the soil dry thoroughly before watering again. In extreme situations, repotting your plant in fresh soil in a pot with a drainage hole may be needed.

On the other hand, underwatering plants can lead to their demise as well. Too little water and your plant will show dry and crispy yellowing leaves that curl inward. Naturally, the soil will be dusty and dry, too. To remedy an underwatered houseplant, give it a thorough and even watering until water seeps out of the drainage hole of the pot. In the future, be sure to water your plant as soon as the top two inches of soil are dry.

Sunlight Levels
All houseplants respond to sunlight differently. Some require bright, direct light while others can thrive for weeks in low-light conditions. Improper light levels can quickly result in a dying houseplant! For a low-light plant that is getting too much sun, leaves will appear crispy, with dark patches that look similar to burn marks. Move your plant away from the source of light and trim off all affected leaves.

A plant that isn’t receiving enough sunlight will have stunted growth, small leaves, and weak stems that may feel limp or droop. Remove any dust that has collected on the leaves to ensure proper photosynthesis and move it to an area that receives bright, indirect light. Watch to ensure your plant is reviving, but not receiving too much sun.

Nutritional Intake
Plants need nutrients, which is often found in potting soil. But when this limited quantity runs out, your plant may need a boost. A lack of nutrients will slow a plant’s growth and may be the reason for a dying houseplant. Deformed and browning leaves, as well as stunted growth, are signs your plant is lacking key nutrients. The best way to revive a plant in this situation is by repotting it in fresh, nutrient-rich soil. Fertilizing regularly will also help replenish the nutrients your plant needs to grow healthy and strong.

Your plant may not be beyond hope, even if it appears to be on its deathbed. With a little tender loving care and close attention to its water, light, and soil requirements, you can revive your plant in no time! Have you brought a dying houseplant back to full health? I’d love to know your stories!

XO,
Micah