Tropical Plant Care 101: Anyone Can Have a Green Thumb

For the seasoned gardener or house plant fanatic, keeping house plants alive and thriving might be second nature, but is by no means a great secret! Light, water and humidity, proper soil, fertilization, an occasional cleaning, simple pruning and knowing your insects are the keys.

Light
The level of light plays a major role in the decision making process of what plants should be purchased. A bright window with some direct sunlight is ideal. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have this ideal location to be able to grow sun-loving types of plants. If this is your scenario, there are many plants to choose from that thrive in lower light. On the bright side, these low light loving house plants tend to be easier to grow, in turn giving even the proverbial black-thumb a chance in growing lush plants! They generally take less of our precious time, require less water, require less fertilizer, and tend to do pretty will with less sunlight. All plants require some light to thrive, whether it’s natural or artificial.

Water
Water is critical for keeping plants alive. Do some research or ask your nursery specialist about the watering requirements regarding the plant you are interested in purchasing. While plants need water, over-watering causes root rot, which is certain death for the plant. Never let your plant sit in water. It is advisable to empty the saucer of any standing water. Many chemicals in tap water can be harmful to the plant. Extremely hot or cold water is not advisable. Plants prefer room temperature water. If you fill your watering containers the day before watering, the water will be at room temperature and some of the chemicals will dissipate.

Container Selection
There are many different types of pots or containers you can purchase. Clay or terra cotta tends to work best, as the clay breathes. The plastic or poly-resin pots are wonderful for plants that require high moisture, as they keep the soil moist longer. Make sure your container has a proper drainage hole in the bottom or lower sides. If you opt to purchase a decorative container that has no drainage, make sure to place small rocks or gravel on the bottom. Very few house plants do well sitting in standing water.

Potting Soil
While garden soil is readily available, it isn’t the best choice. A good sterile potting mix works the best. Potting mixes contain rich organic matter as well as vermiculite or perlite additives to help drainage.

Fertilizers
Like us, plants do well with an occasional feeding. Ask your nursery specialist which type of fertilizer works best for the type of plant(s) that you have. There are many varieties of fertilizer available from an all-purpose time release, to specialty fertilizers for high acid loving plants to a naturally balanced organic fertilizer. Be sure to read the directions on any of the products you purchase.

Cleaning
Plant foliage tends to not like dust. Use a damp cloth to wash the dust off of plant leaves periodically. Misting plants with a sprayer tends to keep the foliage cleaner and adds humidity. Most indoor plants love an occasional shower with lukewarm water. Again, this keeps the foliage clean and adds humidity.

Pruning
Some plants should to be pruned periodically for a variety of reasons. Some vines tend to get leggy. An occasional hair cut will promote new growth and generally thickens up the plant. The rubber tree, for example, will grow bushier if pruned. Dead foliage should always be removed to allow the nutrients to travel to the healthy foliage.

Pests
Pests like spider mites, mealy bugs, and aphids are a few of the insects that could be a problem for your house plant. Talk to your nursery expert on house plants to determine what chemical you should use for plant pests. There are many non-toxic organic solutions available.

Houseplants bring nature indoors while adding interest and beauty to your environment. They act as natural air fresheners. (To read more on the air-freshening qualities of house plants, read the NASA study on sick building syndrome.)

Start your plant collection with some of the easy varieties such as: The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema), the The Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata), or any of the other varieties of Dracaenas, The Rubber Tree (Ficus Elastisica), The Easy ZZ plant, or the ever-popular Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). These easy growing plants will turn your black thumb into a green thumb!

Debbie T.