Most of us would love to live surrounded by plants but have come to believe that we are a #plantkiller but everyone really can become a #houseplantguru Here's why.
A confession not an acusation
Who are we to talk? In the past we, (we are keen gardeners and love plants) were serial #plantkillers On reflection this is because we only had one #plantcareregime If the plants survived that care they survived us. It is a common mistake to make. We might think of them as #houseplants because they all sit next to each other in our houses, but those two plants sat next to each other could come from opposite sides of the planet. Or, perhaps even more confusingly, from within yards of each other but in very distinct microhabitats so each demanding very different care.
Our best advice for setting yourself up for success.
Know what you are buying - this might sound obvious but resist buying a plant whose care you know absolutely nothing about. Or choose suppliers which provide detailed information about the plants they sell. As well as the plant's care requirements its rate of growth and #growinghabit are also useful knowledge when considering positioning.
Know who you are buying from - not all plants are made equal. Many are #hothoused which means that they arrive in your northern European Home having been lving in a greenhouse which felt like the tropics. Plants grown, like ours, in a way which is most similar to your home have the greatest chance of mananging that #transition.
Start small - large plants are an investment it can might make better sense to buy a starter plant so that you can check that the environments you have on offer are ones they will enjoy. Plants reknown for suffering transition shock, like #fiddleleafedfigs are best bought small and grown in the environment you are planning to keep them in. Or if you are wanting a cultivar with lots of #variegation you might first check that you can care for the naturally occuring, and cheaper, plant rather than a #cultivar
Buy Quality - avoid the bargain table. Not only may you not be able to save that plant you also risk bringing whatever it died of home to the rest of your plants. If you are buying a trailing or vining plant make sure its one with plenty of rooted cuttings. They may sound like a bargain but a plant with one strand of growth will never make a sastifying mature plant.
Know where you are going to position your new plant before you buy it - the most important decision you are going to make for your plant is where you are going to put it. Getting a spot which, in terms of light and temperature, is closest to its natural environment is the key.
When you get your plant home leave it alone - help your plant manage its transition shock by leaving it alone for at least two weeks when you get it home. If you have bought it somewhere reputable it will have been watered prior to you purchasing it and it will cope better if you leave it be. Never re-pot a plant, even if it looks root bound, immediately on arrival. It will not thank you.
Establish the correct watering regime. Is fundamental to your plant's wellbeing. If your plant is struggling you might check it is growing in the right medium. Plants are generally happier if they grown in mediums which contain none-organic materials, such as grit, and perlite which is why our plants are potted up in this way. It also helps to ensure that water drains more quickly making #rootrot less likely.
Do this and you will be quickly on your way to planty heaven :)
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