Houseplants are Trendy Again. Tips to Help them Flourish!

Houseplants are popular again – last time they were as trendy and hot was the 1970’s. Novice and experienced gardeners are embracing the trend of having plants in their homes for air purification; it’s a bonus that plants also add depth and texture to the decor of your home.

Our modern homes are NOT friendly for house plants – we turn on our furnaces for our own comfort or heat with wood (very dry heat), have air tight windows and doors (energy conservation) and new windows have low-E glass, permitting VERY little sunlight in, especially the weak winter sun. 

• Success with house plants depends on: Location (including light level) and Water/Care

• When transplanting, go up one size (i.e. 4” pot to a 6” pot) as we tend to water to the size of the pot

• Drainage holes are key – water retention trays help keep spills from happening; plant dollies help move large plants

• Houseplants can struggle in our homes in the winter.  A study indicates that a Canadian home in winter is “drier than the Sahara Desert”, therefore humidity is key for house plants.  Humidity trays (a plastic or clay tray with rocks on it, and the plant sitting on top) and misting do help with the dryness; signs of stress due to dryness include: dried up leaves or brown tips on leaves

• Water should not be run through the water softener; it should sit in your watering can for a few hours to become room temperature and allow the chemicals in the water to disperse.

• Plants should not sit in water; drain out any water left in the saucer or decorative over pot

• Fertilizer should be used only during months of growth (not winter) as plants rest when light levels are low (winter)

• Pests can be monitored with “Sticky Strips” and/or controlled by spraying an insecticidal soap (Safer’s End All is a great option)

By Vikki Whitney, Owner of Griffin’s Greenhouses
www.griffinsgreenhouses.com
705-652-8638 or 1-877-647-4334