Common Indoor Gardening Mistakes: 55% of households, or 185.9 million Americans, are gardeners. That makes America the third largest gardening country behind Australia and China.
Millennials are one of the largest sectors of plant owners, but they’re also most likely to murder their babies. They admit to accidentally killing at least seven indoor plants.
Learning to take care of them better has measurable benefits. Four in five millennials say it’s led them to care for themselves better, and 81% say it’s improved their mental health.
Read on to learn how to avoid the five most common indoor gardening mistakes.
Overwatering and Underwatering Plants (Common Indoor Gardening Mistakes)
This tops the list of most common indoor gardening mistakes. Overwatering leads to root rot, especially if you don’t have a pot with proper drainage. Underwatering can cause discolored leaves, pest infestations, and more.
Check the soil every day to see if it’s moist. Most plants won’t need watering until the first inch of the soil is dry.
Soak the soil and then give it enough time to pass through. A light misting with a spray bottle helps in dry environments.
Create a watering schedule to make sure you’re keeping every plant hydrated. Make a calendar, set a watering day, put them in categories, or label them based on how often they need to be watered.
Plantaform’s smart garden automates the process. It delivers the exact amount of water and nutrients that your indoor plants need.
Not Providing the Right Light
Plants also have their own lighting requirements. They differ depending on the season and growth stage.
Learn the names of the light requirements and what they mean. They include:
- Direct sun
- Filtered light
- Skylight
- Indirect light
- Low light
Too much direct light is a killer for most plants. It will cause brown spots on their leaves around the light source.
Add growth lights to your Indoor garden lighting. They’re affordable and easy to install, adding a few extra hours of brightness.
Poor Indoor Garden Setup
Start your garden with two or three similar types of plants with similar care routines. You’ll get into a groove and can grow from there.
Plants that don’t have the same natural environment may not be able to live together. If they need humidity, put them in the bathroom or kitchen.
Avoid putting your radiator where it can dry out the air. Keep vents and AC units where they’ll cause drastic temperature changes.
Not Using Fertilizer
Plants in containers need help getting food. Many nutrients in potting soil get washed out when you water it.
Use traditional indoor garden fertilizer. There are several options, including:
- Organic
- Slow-release
- Liquid
Be careful how much you add. Too much fertilizer makes the plant’s stems and branches limp and creates a buildup of salt.
Not Pruning
Remove dead or dying leaves and drooping stems. It prevents pests and encourages your plants to grow.
The best time to do it is the active growing season, which is typically spring or summer. Cut new growths when they separate from the stem and leaf.
More Common Indoor Gardening Mistakes
Common indoor gardening mistakes turn an enthusiastic plant parent into a murderer. Avoid them by researching what your babies need.
Place each plant in an area that resembles its natural environment. Give it the right amount of water and sunlight. Use indoor plant fertilizer and prune dying leaves and stems.
Read the rest of our content for more tips for creating a beautiful home.