Happy House Plants

For easy care, just think about what requirements your plants have. Larger plants generally need more water than smaller ones; as with more vegetation, larger plants absorb more through their roots. However, most houseplants can survive quite happily for up to two weeks in most indoor conditions without being watered. Wilting or drooping leaves can be signs that your plants are needing water, however there are other things that can cause wilting, including over watering, disease or fungus gnat fly. A great general check for watering though, is to feel the first few centimetres of your potting medium. If moisture is detected then avoid watering.

Syngonium although quite a dry tolerant plant, will really thrive with a deep watering every few weeks. My preferred method is submerging the pot into a bucket of water with a small amount of soluble fertiliser ensuring optimum health. Varieties to try are “Neon”, adorned in beautiful pink leaves, “Fantasy” variegated leaves, “Confetti”, “Sunshine Speckle” and more.

Devils ivy (Skindapsus aureum or Epipremnum aureum) and Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are easily grown indoors. Grow them in a well lit position, keeping the potting medium moist but not wet and apply a fertiliser approximately once a month. Quick growing Spider plants trail their stems to multiply themselves with smaller plants forming on the ends, with a beautiful curly leaved variety available. Many people like to grow Spider plants in bathrooms in hanging baskets, in pots or in Kokedama form (traditional Japanese hanging string ball plant) If you’re wanting a Kokedama, I make them regularly with a variety of hardy indoor plants. They are available with a hanger and care card at local Garden Expos and Ramesa Nursery.

Scindapsus Pictus is my favourite indoor plant as its beautiful contrasting grey leaves cascade through my other greenery, although it grows more slowly. Mother in laws tongue (Sansevieria) and the Cast iron plant (Aspidistra) are both tough, structural plants which have made a popular decorative comeback, especially placed in long column style pots. Remember too, that most plants will require a well lit room and occasional light fertilising.

With adaptations to store water, Succulents are a large group of plants suitable for indoors only in a well lit area. As a general rule, letting the potting media dry out fully before watering is a good idea, especially cacti. I generally water my Zebra Haworthia about once a month.

Whatever plants you love to grow, if you have an awareness of watering needs, ideal pot size, location/light requirements, temperature, humidity and ventilation you will certainly have Happy House-plants. My number 1 tip however, is simply only water when you need to.