Houseplants are a great way to add color and a natural element to your home’s design; they’re known to boost mood as well. And whether you’re an experienced plant parent or just getting started, houseplant hacks are always welcome.
“Each plant you add is like a new member of your family,” says Karla Gallegos, owner of The Planting Hand on Lower Greenville Avenue. “If you love and nurture your plant, it will thrive.” Easy for a pro to say, right? Fortunately for us (and you), we asked Gallegos and two other Dallas plant experts — Bree Clarke, founder of The Plant Project in Uptown, and Erin Whaley, plant buyer and social media manager of Oasis Plant Shop in the Bishop Arts District — for their best tips.
Clean your leaves for healthy, pest-free plants.
“It’s crucial to keep your plant’s leaves clean,” Gallegos emphasizes. “Dust and dirt can clog the plant’s pores, called stomata, which are essential for the plant to breathe and photosynthesize.” Giving your plant’s leaves a regular cleaning will also help prevent pests — “spider mites, thrips and mealybugs, which tend to hide on the leaves,” ticks off Gallegos. “That’s why we recommend using Protect Spray by We the Wild. It effectively removes dirt, dust and stains while serving as a preventive pest treatment with the added benefit of neem oil.” Gallegos also likes We the Wild’s leaf-cleaning gloves.
You can also create a DIY solution to get rid of pests. “One of my favorite hacks is this dish soap mixture,” says Clarke. “It’s the old-school way to get rid of pests.” Just mix three teaspoons of Dawn dish soap with 16 ounces of water. Fill a spray bottle and mist the leaves, then wipe them clean.
Choose the right pot for your plants.
“One problem we see frequently is plants that are potted in too large of a pot,” says Gallegos. “Many think that since the plant will eventually grow to a bigger size, it’s best to give it a large pot to grow into. But if a plant is too small for its pot, it won’t be able to absorb the amount of water present in the soil, and your plant will end up with root rot.”
Another common issue is pots without drainage, or plantings that aren’t able to absorb excess water. “We prefer to add a layer of horticultural charcoal to the bottom of the pot when potting without drainage,” Gallegos shares. “It helps to absorb the excess moisture as well as inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes root rot.”
Use this handy tool to prevent overwatering.
Just because the top layer of soil appears dry, it doesn’t necessarily mean a plant is thirsty. That’s why you should get a moisture meter, which will take the guesswork out of your watering schedule. “Indoor or outdoor gardeners will benefit from this helpful tool,” says Whaley. “[It’s] longer than your finger and pretty darn accurate.”
Most meters come with a scale of dry to wet, and you’ll just want to make sure you know what level of moisture each particular plant prefers. “Some of your green friends, like a calathea, want to stay moist; some like a cactus want to go completely dry,” notes Whaley, “and some like a ficus need that perfect watering schedule.”
Gallegos recommends the 3-in-1 moisture meter by Classy Casita. “[It] not only measures soil moisture but also provides pH balance readings and can be used as a light meter,” she says.
Create humidity for tropical plants during colder months.
Enjoy Monstera, golden pothos and red valentines and other tropicals? You probably think about the temperature — “Most indoor tropical plants need to be kept above 40 degrees,” notes Whaley — but you need to keep humidity levels in mind too. “Adding a humidifier is a wonderful idea during the winter months, as your heater sucks the moisture out of the air,” Whaley says.
Clarke suggests increasing humidity by grouping plants together or placing a pebble tray filled with water beneath them. “This creates a mini microclimate that mimics their natural habitat, helping to keep leaves lush and vibrant,” she says.
Another cold weather tip from Whaley: “If moving patio plants indoors — especially dracaena — remember to keep them away from warm air drafts.”
Don’t rush to repot dormant plants.
Whaley says many plants, like alocasia, go dormant in the wintertime. “Avoid repotting and fertilizing during winter and wait for spring,” she advises. “If any of your plants are looking grim, give spring a chance to revitalize them. You will be amazed at what some rain water and warm spring temperatures will do.”
Watch where the light goes.
“Everyone loves a hanging plant or plant cascading down a bookshelf,” says Whaley. Her rule for this type of plant is to let the top or base of the plant be exposed to light. “When you let light shine only on the vining portions, you end up with a trailing plant that is bald on top,” she says.
Remember that, in nature, tropical plants are growing under the canopy of large trees. “Think of that all-day, dappled, indirect sunlight. The same goes for plants growing in a greenhouse,” Whaley shares. “They are receiving 360-degree indirect sunlight. When you bring a plant into your home you can never recreate that perfect lighting. The best you can do is put them close to a window or in a very well-lit room.”
Whaley goes on to explain that some plants — such as sanseveria, ZZ plant and pothos — can tolerate lower light thresholds, but other indoor tropicals need to be exposed to as much indirect light as possible.
Water your plants from the bottom up (usually).
“Instead of feeding or pouring the water into your plants, we like to see our plants work a little for their water,” Clarke says. “Add water to a clear tray or saucer underneath the pot or place the plant in the sink that is filled with water.”
This watering techniques comes with a variety of benefits. “When we pour water into a plant, we are just focusing on the top layer of the plant,” Clarke explains, noting that bottom watering provides a better distribution of moisture and allows your plant to develop a deeper, stronger root system. Bottom watering also discourages fungus gnats from laying eggs in your plant. (Clarke does recommend top watering every four to six months to flush away fertilizer that builds up on the top part of the soil.)
Whaley notes that bottom watering is especially helpful for vining plants of the succulent variety such as strings-of-pearls or strings-of-hearts. “These plants do not like water sitting on their foliage. It will rot the leaves and leave you with a bald appearance at the base of the plant,” she says.
Potted plants need to be fertilized, too.
“Many plant parents overlook the importance of fertilizing their plants,” Gallegos says. “[But] it’s crucial because the nutrients in their soil are limited.” If you have a fast-growing plant — say, a fiddle-leaf fig or bird-of-paradise — this is particularly important, she adds. “They deplete their available nutrients quickly and require additional nourishment to support their growth.”
But don’t buy just any fertilizer. “It’s possible to give plants too many nutrients,” Gallegos explains. “Some fertilizers are highly concentrated and can cause fertilizer burns if used improperly. We recommend using natural and gentle plant food like Rosy Soil Plant Food and the fertilizer line by We the Wild.”
Rotate your plants.
“I say that plants and people have so much in common,” says Clarke. “If we just stayed in one place and didn’t evolve, we wouldn’t grow. The same goes for our plants. To encourage balanced growth, make it a habit to rotate your plants every few weeks. This simple act ensures that all sides receive equal sunlight, helping to prevent leggy growth and promoting a fuller, healthier appearance. Plus, it’s a great excuse to give your plants a little extra love and attention.”
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