Keeping houseplants appears to be a very popular hobby these days. Millennials especially
seem to have a soft spot for this activity and they’re partly responsible for the plant parenting
phenomenon and the tons of plant pictures on Instagram that we’ve all seen in recent years.
But while caring for plants seems to come naturally to some people, others don’t have much
luck with it, despite their best efforts.
The matter of the green thumb often comes into question as an explanation. Having a green
thumb means that you possess an inherent talent or ability to grow plants. So, if you haven’t
been bestowed by the gardening gods with this wonderful gift, your plants are doomed and you
might as well bid your plant parenting dreams farewell. Fortunately, that’s just a silly myth that
you shouldn’t give too much thought to.
Everyone can keep houseplants, even those who don’t have much knowledge in the field. You
don’t have to be a professional gardener or work some secret mojo to care for plants. But then
why is it that some people are able to grow a jungle on their balcony while you struggle to keep
a cactus alive? Maybe it’s because you’ve been making the same mistakes over and over again
without realising it.
So, if you’re a serial plant killer who wants to redeem himself and become a green thumb, here
are some common mistakes you should avoid.
Watering mistakes
We all know that all plants need water to grow and thrive, but exactly how much water a plant
needs remains a mystery for many plant parents, and one that kills more indoor plants than
people like to admit. Watering your plants every now and then or whenever you remember is a
sure strategy to send your plants straight to the bin. Overwatering can cause plant roots to rot
while giving them insufficient water will dry out the soil and make them wilt. So, you have to
find the right balance and give your greenery the amount of water they require.
What makes plant watering so tricky is the fact that different plants have different needs in this
respect. If you have different species and varieties, make sure you know your plants’ watering
preferences. As a rule of thumb, you should give the soil enough time to dry in between
waterings. There are plenty of guides teaching you how often and how much water you should
use for each plant, so give them a check if you want to learn more about it.
Re-potting new plants
With so many cute flower pots to choose from, it’s difficult to resist the temptation of
transplanting plants to a different vessel as soon as you bring them home, but resist you must.
Admittedly, the plastic pots in which most plants are grown might not be the most aesthetically
appealing, but they’ll feel a lot better if you keep them like that, at least for a while.
Plants you’ve just bought have already gone through a shock being taken out of their usual
environment and moved to a whole different setting, so they need time to get acclimatised.
The last thing they need is another major change like being repotted. If you really want to
improve their appearance, you can put the plastic vessel they’re already in inside a bigger pot.
Then, when the time comes, you can carefully move the plant into a new pot, ensuring it has
the right potting mix.
Moving plants around
Just like repotting plants right after purchase is not recommended, moving them from place to
place is not a great idea either. Plants are not furniture pieces that you can move around the
house when you get bored. They can certainly enhance your interior design, but before you
think about aesthetics, you have to make sure the location you’ve chosen is right for them. If it
is and you notice they thrive in a specific setting, there’s really no reason for you to change it.
Plants are the happiest when they’re kept in the same spot because they enjoy stability.
Constant movement means they have to work extra hard to adapt to the new conditions and
that can cause stunted growth, or plant decline.
Overlooking hints
Whether you’re aware of it or not, plants are constantly communicating something, so you
should pay attention to what they are trying to say. Obviously, they’re not going to speak in the
true sense of the word, but they are going to give you hints about their condition.
For example, if the plant suddenly stops growing, it might be because the pot is too small,
constricting its roots and stopping it from developing. In this case, you might want to check elho
and choose a properly sized pot for your plant. If the leaves are turning yellow, it might be an
indication of poor drainage or improper watering. Checking your plants regularly and learning
to read these signs can help you give your plants the care they require.
Not doing your homework
As a new plant parent, you have to put in a bit of effort to get to know your green friends a little
better. There are many variables that you have to take into consideration when growing plants,
from soil requirements, watering and light to temperature, fertilisation, or re-potting. All these
factors play an important role in keeping plants healthy and happy.
Assuming you already know what your plants need without doing any further investigations can
lead you on the wrong path. If you’re determined to become a green thumb, you better do your
homework. You’ll be amazed at all the new things you can learn about different plant species
by conducting a simple search on Google.
Growing plants can certainly be a very satisfying activity, but it does take some time – and some
trial and error – to get things right. Don’t let initial failures discourage you. With patience and
care, you too can get from plant newbie to plant savvy.