I love having at least one plant in every room. And I usually think a room feels sort of stale if there’s nothing alive in the space. But, you guys, I am killing houseplants left and right and I’m spending way too much money replacing the goners!
I know a lot of you have the greenest of green thumbs – so I’d love to ask you – What do you do to keep your houseplants alive? Water from the bottom? How? And how much? Do those glass bulb water things work? I read online once that leaves with brown edges means you’re over-watering. Plant-tending is finicky business!
Ooh, what's this about self-watering pots from IKEA?? I'd be allllll over that!
These are SUCH helpful tips! Thank you guys! Keep em coming!
(PS I think I must be guilty of overwatering…) :/
My Dad has the greenest green houseplant thumb of anyone I know, and his procedure is very simple: every Sunday, soak all of the plant in the sink until water runs out the bottom of the pot. Once a month, use miracle grow or similar. That's really all he does, and his orchids bloom forever.
Apartment Therapy has done a few good posts on low-light and low-maintenance houseplants. A few of my favorites include boston ferns, peace lilies (there is a type with variegated leaves that I love) the ficus, the "prayer plant", and one that has many common names but most people know it as "snake plant". I water once a week for non-succulents, and every other week for desert climate plants, like the snake plant. And I do it the same day, ever week. The peace lily is fantastic because it will pitch a very obvious fit when it needs water, and is instantly revived as soon as you do. And water amount depends on pot size, but I say that you should water until just a small amount of water comes out into the saucer below the pot. The soil should be dry by the time you water again, but not so dry as to come away from the sides of the pot. I worked in a greenhouse for a long time, and have had some of my houseplants for almost a decade now.
I have found that it is all about the types of plants you have. The easiest ever plants to keep alive that I've found are both the sansevieria/snake plant and pothos vine. Both could do well no matter what the light situation is. I water my snake plants so rarely (I am talking once a month). You practically can't kill them. Pothos can just be watered whenever the leaves start drooping (every few days). I have a lot of succulents that I just water once every few weeks and keep in a lot of sunlight. Both the snake plant and the pothos vine are easy to propagate which is fun and saves money!
I like some of the self watering pots from IKEA. They are great because I usually forget to water until plants are all droopy.
I've always had dozens of plants around my apartment (and now in my house). The key for me is to find low maintenance plants. Many varieties need full sun, and that really doesn't tend to work for me. I tend to get ones that are partial shade or filtered sun. I water all my plants once a week, and the amount of water will depend on how much soil is in each pot. I aim to completely moisten the soil, but not so much water that it fills the saucer in the base (if the pot has one).
I tend to give all my plants the same treatment, and if they don't survive, too bad. For this reason, I've never been able to keep plants like Rhododendrons (azaleas) alive no matter how much I try to keep them happy.
The plants that I *DO* have, tend to be very healthy and beautiful. I currently have:
African Violets
Ivies (English, and Arrowhead)
Succulents (Aloes, Haworthias)
Rubber Tree
Hoyas (which are gorgeous and have wonderful flowers)
Ooh, what's this about self-watering pots from IKEA?? I'd be allllll over that!
First make sure you know what plant you have. Not all plants like the same thing. Some like more or less water than others. Some will get sunburnt in direct light but needs lots of bright indirect light. The pots that have standing water in the bottom can be a nightmare because they keep the plant sitting in soggy soil which always leads to root rot (sometimes even if you have a bog plant) and standing water attracts bugs. Keep a small dish beneath them and empty it after you water them. Watering bulbs do nicely for most plants but not all. Some plants like less water. Also try re-potting them when you get home to a slightly larger pot and use water retention soil. Like miracle grow. Go to a legitimate nursery and ask questions. Just because someone is working in the garden section at lowes doesn't mean they can help.
Good Luck!
I am an occasional waterer – once every two to three weeks. I find plants that tolerate and thrive on this! Like ZiZi…and I dont tryto replace any that don't make it…
I like Ikea's self-watering pots but I've found they don't have a good medium size- just small, large and jumbo. There is a brand called Lechuza that makes a good in-between size and has more colors and styles than Ikea. The plant I have in it is doing amazingly well.
I have the NEKTARIN and the PS FEJÖ. I don't love that they are plastic but my plants in them have done well. I haven't had any trouble with root rot.
What kind of plants do you have? I can only successfully tell you how to keep succulents, peace lilies and yucca plants alive…and that's mostly by ignoring them for a few days at a time (I ignore the succulents for a week or two sometimes). When a peace lily starts to droop, you know it needs a little drink of water. My mom sent me those watering bulbs, but they didn't work for me. Plants are tricky. Good luck!
http://3princestreet.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/plants-that-you-cant-kill/
It also helps to make sure you have generously sized pots. Plants that are in pots too small for them will get root-bound and run out of water much faster.
Invest in a cloche!! My business partner is a landscape designer so we do custom container gardens for clients–in between sales we have to keep some alive in our own homes and we've eaten the cost for a few because of my black thumb, but the plants I have been VERY successful with are small fern varieties planted together and topped with a cloche. It's a self-contained greenhouse, really. Good luck!!
You CANNOT kill a peace lily – I've inadvertently tried. Might be one for your replacement list!
I have around 30 house plants, and I've learned a few things over the years…I love them so much and would love to be able to help if I can.
(1) be realistic about how much light you can offer a plant in a given space…almost everything I have killed has been due to this reason. If you have some well lit areas , fiddle leaf figs do great, but be realistic about how much light they will need (at least 6 hours of full sun).
(2) Pothos are awesome & cheap and work GREAT in lower light areas or anytime you want a plant in the interior of a room (far from the window). I am also having great luck with Silver Philodendrens in my low light areas.
(3) Most of my plants do not like to be soaked in water. I have those plastic liners from Home depot in every pot and give each plant 1/2 c. to 1 c. each week. Whenever I get a new plant I do a little general online research into how to care for it, and then I try to learn exactly what it likes and doesn't like. I have never had anything rot from a little bit of water in the plastic liner.
(3) Your new dog is precious, so make sure he doesn't take a liking to anything new you bring in. There are some general guidelines you can find online, but anything in the lily family will send a cat into renal failure. Pothos are also somewhat toxic, but my cats pretty much stay away from them. I think each animal is different.
(4) I have a few succulents (jade) that are doing great, but they def need to be near a window.
(5) African violets need a lot of sun and do best when watered from the bottom up…not sure why, but it works.
GOOD LUCK! And if you buy from home depot, they usually have a guarantee for 6 months/year.
The photo you are using for this post is a bromeliad. They are kind of cool in that you don't water the soil. You put the water directly in the center of the plant, near the leaves and flower and they are good to go. I like that you can see if it has enough water, if you can see water in that little bowl of leaves in the center it doesn't need anymore water.
My mom always tells me that more plants are killed by over watering than under watering. That being said light is critical – if a room has iffy light – only certain plants will survive. It can also be helpful to develop a relationship with a garden center. I like the once a week watering approach.
I used to kill plants too until my mom got me one of those water meters that you stick in the soil and it tells you if the plant needs water or not. There's a red dry zone and a green zone just right, and a blue too much zone on the meter on it. Mine is from Hold All, but I bet there are lots of them out there. It sounds hokey but it made a big difference for me.
Love your blog!
I worked in a flower shop before and the biggest thing is over watering! Especially succulents or tropical type plants. Let the soil dry out in between, so that the top few inches feel completely dry to the touch before watering. Make sure there's good drainage too, or your roots will rot. Also, make sure they're getting enough sun, and not too close to the cold from windows or drafts! Hope this helps!
Generally, letting plants dry to the point of wilting a bit is much healthier for them than over watering. For leafy plants that do wilt a bit, it is a perfectly fine strategy to let them wilt a bit before watering. Be sure that plants are potted in pots with drainage. I typically water until water runs into the saucer underneath. If you wait an hour or so, that water is likely to be absorbed into the soil. Be sure to dump any water in the saucer after an hour or so.
The #1 culprit, as I think others are saying, is over-watering. It rots the plant's roots and then the plant can't feed itself – or worse, the roots become food for something icky like gnats. Try hardy plants that are able to be 'expressive' first – Lillys are great at this, the leaves will droop a little when the plant is thirsty, and perk right back up when you water.
The #1 culprit, as I think others are saying, is over-watering. It rots the plant's roots and then the plant can't feed itself – or worse, the roots become food for something icky like gnats. Try hardy plants that are able to be 'expressive' first – Lillys are great at this, the leaves will droop a little when the plant is thirsty, and perk right back up when you water.
These are SUCH helpful tips! Thank you guys! Keep em coming!
(PS I think I must be guilty of overwatering…) :/
I have no idea – I kill them all too. We stopped replacing them ages ago, so we just have the one that has an amazing will to live. It must be 10 years old!
ALSO – I think that your blog is awesome, but SO much more awesome since you decided not to care what people thought about what you write!
I used to own a flower shop and learned from my partner that the best way to water a plant is to submerge the pot in a bucket or basin of water. As the water is taken in, the air is forced out of the soil, and bubbles form in the water. When the bubbles stop, the plant is thoroughly watered. Depending on the size of the plant, it should not need watering again until the top of the soil is dry. The larger the plant, the longer it can go between waterings.
Oh goodness, I am such a brown thumb!!!! All of these tips are brilliant. I love Nora's tip – that is so easy to do, even a brown thumb could do that one! haha!
For us, it is all trial and error. No science here! I figure, if it is going to live with us it has to put up with us. And if it can't handle us, it doesn't belong here!
Another good one that is very low maintenance is the zz plant. Dark vibrant green leaves, low light, and I water mine only about once a month! They are highly poisonous though so you have to be careful with kiddos and pets but I haven't had any issues.
I am not crazy experienced but this is what has worked for me… Like others have said, wait till the top of the soil is dry, but not all. I usually stick my fingers in the dirt and see how far down till its damp. If the top inch or two (depending on pot size) is dry then I water. When I water I always take the pot to the sink and saturate the dirt under the faucet then I let it completely drain before returning it to its spot. That way it doesn't ever sit in water. I usually don't have a designated water day cause all plants are different and need water at different times depending on heat, humidity and pot size. Some small plants that I have had that have lasted well and look nice and not "granny-ish" are Creeping Fig, Angel Vine, Baby Tears and Orchids -naturally. :). These have all done fine in normal household light and with with watering the above stated way. Well, with the exception of the orchid… Those I let dry all the way out – per the instruction of an experienced grower. I love the way plants give a room a certain something too. Good luck!!!
I am not crazy experienced but this is what has worked for me… Like others have said, wait till the top of the soil is dry, but not all. I usually stick my fingers in the dirt and see how far down till its damp. If the top inch or two (depending on pot size) is dry then I water. When I water I always take the pot to the sink and saturate the dirt under the faucet then I let it completely drain before returning it to its spot. That way it doesn't ever sit in water. I usually don't have a designated water day cause all plants are different and need water at different times depending on heat, humidity and pot size. Some small plants that I have had that have lasted well and look nice and not "granny-ish" are Creeping Fig, Angel Vine, Baby Tears and Orchids -naturally. :). These have all done fine in normal household light and with with watering the above stated way. Well, with the exception of the orchid… Those I let dry all the way out – per the instruction of an experienced grower. I love the way plants give a room a certain something too. Good luck!!!
Whoot. I'm learning so much from all the comments. Who knew about bromeliads. I consistently kill them off. Thanks for asking the question.
The only other thing I do for my plants is spray them with water. Just a light mist. I'm sure its wrong for some of my guys, but I read that it would make a fern much happier to have a humid environment. It also keeps me from overwatering since I feel like I've cared for them by something other than pouring water in.
~k
orchids are so easy and look so rich. every sunday i put 3-4 large ice cubes right by its root (where the large leaves stem from). i dont have a super green thumb, but i only replace my orchids 2-3 times a year.
Filtered light works best for most house plants. I water my African violets, Christmas cactus, philodendron once a week on the weekend. That makes it easy to remember. I water from the top until the plant begins to drain. Do not let the plant sit standing water. Snake plant – every 4-5 weeks sparingly.
Goodness! I've had my orchids for over 10 years and my rubber plants for much more. The main thing is to match the plant to the correct light situation and learn what it needs. I've never had plants die from sitting in water, but african violets will rot right away if their leaves get wet. They do best watered from below. Every 7-10 days is about my watering schedule. Some plants like to be pot bound and will not flower otherwise. Pothos are great for a very low light situation as mentioned by others.
I adore self-watering pots. You can find them most places. I must be the only one that has killed plants through neglect.:(
If you have large plants (or even small), they all love a vacation outside in the summer. Just be careful not to give them too much sun at once. I think that's why all mine have done so well.
Hi! I am a horticulturist and take care of houseplants for people who own vacation homes as a part-time job. It comes down to right plant, right place, every single time. I really don't feel that self-watering pots work. Plants actually like to dry out a little between waterings. Now, for plants I don't use, unless I expect only to use them for a short time: ivy (hello, spider mite), peace lilies (they tend to get ugly with age), African violets, and kalanchoe. The absolute, most durable plant we use in homes is the ZZ plant. It tolerates really low light and hates to be watered. It has an interesting look, as well. You literally have to water it about once a month, if that. We also use neantha bella palms in rooms with very little light. They are smaller and tidy. Bamboo palms, which are larger, also do well. Phalaenopsis orchids (the moth orchid) are amazing. They need the slightest bit of water once a week and can hold their blooms sometimes up to 6 months. For that reason, they are really cheaper than any flower arrangement. Such a better gift! Bromeliads hold their blooms for a long time if they are not overwatered. Rabbit's foot fern and bird's nest fern also do well for a longer period of time. Keep in mind, most plants bought from greenhouses have been growing in very bright, indirect light. They don't like to go from the joy of that to a dark corner, next to a heat or A/C vent. If you want to put a ficus, or other bright light plant in a darker part of a house, it needs to gradually be moved (acclimatization) there from a brighter location. I hope this helps!
Like Nora's Dad, I too soak my plants in the sink and let them drain and then put them back in their saucers. You really want to avoid ever having your plant sit in water in its saucer, that will turn their leaves brown and kill them. And never fertilize when the roots are dry, it should always be on a secondary watering. And I have the most luck with southern and western exposures. Good luck!
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My husband got me a peace lily plant when we were dating. Called it our "love fern" (name that movie). And that sucker will not die! :) I believe it was Lizzy (above) who said it "will pitch a very obvious fit" when it's thirsty. Too too true! This bad boy has been literally flat against the pot (more often than I care to admit), but within minutes of watering will perk right back up. Amazing! Hooray for resilient love, ha! :)
For this Valentine's Day, though, my hubby ge got me a Gerber Daisy plant. Said its name was Bond. Later he found a clip from an old James Bond video that said (from Bond to Goldfinger), "Do you expect me to live?" In which Goldfinger matter-of-factly replied, "No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die." :) The punk.
Good luck finding a plant that works for you! It's harder than it ought to be.
It was Linzy, not Lizzy.
I have – I just counted – 14 plants in my living/dining room, all kinds, and they are mostly doing just fine. (The only problem child is a 6' olive tree which looks on the edge of demise; surprisingly, it's the only one in an Ikea self-watering pot). I water them all once a week, till moist but not soaking wet, and in stages so I get the amount right. My special favourite is a bonsai-type ficus which was once in a bad way when our son forgot to water it when we were away for 6 weeks: with care (and, I admit, a lot of verbal encouragement) it has come to thrive.
There are a few suggestions on Bright Nest that might help such as tracking your plants sunlight exposure and water.
https://brightnest.com/posts/never-kill-a-houseplant-again
YOU GUYS. This is all amazing information!! Thank you all so much!
(Valerie – downloading that app as we speak! xo)
Stick with snake plants and jades. Succulents just need damp soil- never saturated soil- and they will live for years. I move my jades outdoors once the overnight temp stays warm and they get huge. Te best part is you can clip off sections and start a new plant. (might be why I have 10 now!)
http://designologyinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/04/succulant-plant-projects.html
My problem has always been over-watering–especially my succulents and bromeliads. However, there are some plants that I just can't seem to keep alive for more than a few weeks no matter what I try. I've finally realized that despite how much I love the look of certain plants, they aren't worth the money if you can't keep them going. I've had the best luck with any type of pothos, philodendron, or sansevieria. I love to come across new varieties of these favorites because they add new splashes of color to my planters, and I know they'll last.
http://www.pardonthenoob.com/2013/02/a-little-bit-of-green.html
My black thumb thanks you for posting this question–I learned so much from the comments! Love your blog and style, I subscribe thru RSS feed and get so excited when there are updates!
I've had the best luck with spider plants and Christmas cactus. Both are hardy enough that if leaves fall off, you can stick them in a glass of water in a sunny window and they'll grow new roots. I also forget to water them for weeks and they forgive me. My mom says that both plants like to be pot-bound so you don't need to re-pot them too often.
I try to always have an aloe vera plant in the kitchen. I've killed a few but they're pretty low-maintenance and they don't get too large when you snip them regularly to treat minor cooking burns like I do!
I don't have the greenest of thumbs so I'm happy to read all of these helpful comments. The only thing I would add that I haven't seen yet is sometimes I will add an ice cube to my plant and let it melt down. I have no idea if that's a good thing to do or not, but my plant has survived since this past summer (I also asked the florist for the easiest plant she had). I'm hoping to work up to a prettier plant like an orchid or bromeliad or fern. Good luck!