Plants are mood changers. They are great companions who provide you with better scenery and cleaner air.

If you are beginning your plant parenthood journey and are ready to know more, here is our plant care for beginners that will help guide you through your journey.

Let there be light

Light is essential for any plant, it is basically how they make their food, but it is worth knowing that not all plants need the same amount of light though, some need plenty and some survive with barely enough.

It is important to get plants that are suitable for the light that you have, as this will help avoid not meeting the plants standards!

And some can be a bit unforgiving…

Rotate and Rotate!

Knowing how light is very important to plants, it is best to ensure that all sides of the plant are getting equal amounts of sunlight. Rotating your plant every month or so, will ensure that all sides are getting the light needed to nourish and grow evenly on all sides.

Hydrate your plant

Like all beings, water is very important to plants. The trick is knowing when you should be watering your plant.

Always remember that it is best to underwater than overwater. You can easily revive a plant from under watering but the case is not as simple when the plant is overwatered.

 

A good indicator for when to water is to check the top 5-7 cm of the soil and water when it is dry.

With bigger pots, it is better to use a skewer to reach deeper in the pot. If the skewer comes out covered with soil, the plant doesn’t need water. It if comes out dry then it’s time to water.

You can also check out our watering video for more guidance!

Feed your plant

Your plant might need to be fertilised from time to time, but like overwatering, it's important to avoid over fertilising your houseplants.

There are many types of fertilisers out there. You can choose between chemical or organic fertilisers such as compost.

As the saying goes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity”. It is better to fertilise your plants only in the growing seasons - Summer and Spring- and to avoid fertilising in Winter when the plants slow down in growth and rest.

To learn more about the different types and how to use them, check out our fertilising article.

 

Cut! Cut! Cut!

Your plant will appreciate a haircut!

Pruning or cutting away leaves or stems doesn't harm your plant. In fact, it’s healthy to do this every now and then.

Plants will benefit from a good trimming the most during Spring and Summer, when they are actively growing.

This will increase the growth rate of your plant, make it bushier, and help avoid insects that are attracted to sick or dead leaves.

So don’t worry about removing those dead ends, your plant will appreciate the new look!

 

Now you are set to start your plant parenthood journey and start enjoying your green friends with no worries!