3 Tips for When You Bring a New Plant Home

February 11, 2021 by micah catherine

Everyday care for your indoor plants is a fairly straightforward process, but what about those first few days after bringing a new plant home? If you’ve recently purchased an indoor plant, you’ll want to acclimate it first. This is a simple and easy way to give your plant a healthy and stress-free transition into your home. Here are my top three tips:

Tip #1 – Know your plant’s care preferences.
Knowing how to properly care for your new plant is the first step! Look at the accompanying care tag or do a quick search to learn about your plant’s lighting needs, water requirements, and environmental factors (humidity, etc.). This blog has lots of resources on how to care for indoor plants that range from specific plant care to more generalized tips and tricks and how-tos. Understanding what your plant needs will ultimately determine where you’ll place it and, of course, how to care for it!

Tip #2 – Keep your plant temporarily quarantined.
A pest infestation can quickly happen without careful attention when you first bring new plants home. No matter how well cared for your plant was at the nursery or garden center, bugs and diseases can still pose a risk for your other plants. It’s a good idea to keep your new plant in a separate location for 1-2 weeks, so nothing transfers to your existing plants. During this period, check daily for common plant pests and be sure to remove these bugs before moving your plant.

Tip #3 – Find your plant’s ideal location.
The final step of plant transition is to determine the best location for your plant in your home. Plants that enjoy bright light will need to be closer to windows, while plants that prefer low light can camp out most anywhere else. Plants that love humidity will do well in the bathroom or kitchen. For all plants, be sure to avoid areas that are drafty or near vents. Your plant will let you know if its new spot is ideal!

That’s it! Following these simple tips can help your plant thoroughly enjoy its new home from day one. What other ways do you provide some extra care when bringing a new plant home?

XO,
Micah

Your Guide to Fertilizing Indoor Plants

January 21, 2021 by micah catherine

Does the word “fertilizer” conjure up unpleasant memories of driving past odorous cow pastures all summer long? It could just be my Midwest roots. Thankfully, fertilizing indoor plants is a little different (and a lot less smelly).

Just like humans, houseplants benefit from regular nourishment and the occasional boost of vitamins and minerals. Fertilizer is the extra nutritional support your indoor plants need to remain healthy and lush. It is possible to fertilize plants incorrectly, so you may find this guide helpful:

Back to the Basics
Numerous types of fertilizer exist, so it’s helpful to know what exactly to look for when shopping for your own plants. You want a fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio, usually represented in numbers (15-30-15, for example). These are the key macronutrients all plants need: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. The higher the ratio numbers, the greater the concentration of nutrients, so using a fertilizer specifically for indoor plants is a must. There isn’t a magic formula for fertilizing indoor plants. Just like vitamins we consume, plants will take the nutrients they need and discard the rest.

Pro Tip: The packaging on the fertilizer bottle will headline both the type (houseplants) and the ratio. Look for plant fertilizers that have both macro- and micronutrients not derived from laboratory chemicals.

The Types of Fertilizer
Fertilizing indoor plants can be accomplished in three different ways: solid, liquid, and organic. Solid time-release fertilizer pellets release nutrients into the soil slowly over 3-6 months. Granular fertilizer, either pellets or powders, can be applied every 1-2 months. Liquid fertilizer diluted in water works best when applied bi-weekly or monthly.

If you choose to leave the chemicals behind, go with organic fertilizer, which contains all-natural ingredients. (It may give off a smell.) The important thing to remember when fertilizing indoor plants, is that timing and quantity are often more important than the brand or type of fertilizer. Too much of a good thing can actually harm your plants by burning the roots!

Set a Fertilizing Schedule
While it’s true that all houseplants are different, it’s also true that the majority of plants have similar enough fertilizing requirements to stay on a singular schedule. In most cases, spring and summer are the best times to fertilize. This is when plants are going through a big growth stage. Start fertilizing with half the recommended strength to ease your plants into active growth. During summer, fertilize with the full recommended amount, but only as often as necessary for the fertilizer type you’ve chosen. When plants are dormant in winter, fertilizing can be minimal or postponed until spring.

Tips for Proper Fertilizing
Be careful not to overdo it! Fertilizing can burn plants and do more harm than good. If you’re unsure, always dilute fertilizer or use less than the recommended amount. Fertilizer won’t help a plant on the precipice of death and may even damage it as it’s struggling to revive itself (give it some water, sun, and a little TLC first). Be careful about light levels. The less light, the slower the growth, and the less fertilizer a plant will need. The good news is that even a little nutrients can go a long way in helping your plant grow healthy and happy!

What fertilizers do you like best? Or are you intimidated by the thought of fertilizing indoor plants? Tell me in the comments!

XO,
Micah

How to Properly Clean Houseplants

December 17, 2020 by micah catherine 2 Comments

If you’ve ever neglected house chores for a few days, you know how easily dust can accumulate on surfaces, especially if you live in a dry, windy climate. But what can go unnoticed is the dust that settles on your plant’s leaves. This may not seem like a big deal, but dirty leaves limit their ability to produce food and stay healthy. The good news is there’s an easy solution: All you need is water, a cloth, and a little TLC and you’ll be on your way to happy, clean houseplants!

Why is it important to clean houseplants, you may ask? Plants rely on the sun to produce food through photosynthesis. But if dust and dirt are blocking the leaves from soaking in this light, your plant will suffer from lack of nutrients. An unhealthy plant can also be more susceptible to illness and pests. Not to mention, it doesn’t make your plant feel all that attractive to have dull, dusty leaves.

Here’s how to clean your houseplants:

Gently Dust
Using a feather duster or soft cloth, gently remove as much dust and dirt as possible from each leaf. For plants with fuzzy leaves, dry brushing is the only safe way to clean. Using a brush will coax off the dust without harming the leaves. This may be all your plant needs to have clean leaves, but if there’s heavy dust accumulation, move on to step two.
Mist with Water
Using a spray bottle, thoroughly mist your plant’s leaves with water. For a tough layer of dust or dirt on the leaves, add a small amount of non-toxic dish soap to the bottle and spray. Avoid using household cleaning supplies as these can harm your plant’s leaves. If too much dust has accumulated, giving your plants a thorough shower can help remove the buildup.
Wipe Away
The final step to clean your plants is carefully wiping each leaf with a cotton round or soft cloth (microfiber is an excellent material). You may have to give some leaves a little tough love, just be sure to remain gentle. If you need extra moisture, spray the leaves again. Avoid using any cloth or wipes infused with chemicals.

Once you’ve completed these three steps, you should have clean houseplants that are now able to grow healthy and strong. As long as you routinely dust, mist, and wipe your plant’s leaves, they will be able to properly photosynthesize! Just be sure to keep your newly cleaned plants away from direct sunlight for a few days, so the leaves don’t burn.

Have you noticed dust accumulation on your plant’s leaves? Have any other cleaning tips? I’d love to know!

XO,
Micah