Taking care of your house plants doesn’t have to be complicated. But if are you constantly wondering how to best take care of your plants, you’re in the right place. Read on for some great tips to keep your plants alive, brought to you by Burlington VA, favorite florist, Chappell Florist

Water

Simple, right? Well, even with the best of intentions, it can go wrong. Too much and you can cause root rot, or worse, drown your poor plant. Too little and the plant will die from dehydration. Good thing the majority of plants prefer to have the soil dry out between waterings! To tell if it needs water, stick your finger about an inch in the soil by the edge and if it's dry, it needs water. On the flip side, if the plants' leaves are turning brown and falling off, then likely it needs a drink. With time and practice, you’ll be able to tune into your plants' watering schedule.

Light

Houseplants need light. That's a fact. Usually, a window sill is a great place for plants. However, if that's not accessible to you, a room that gets really good light will work just fine. South-facing windows tend to let the most light in.

Soil and Pots

Using soil specifically for houseplants has almost all the nutrients it needs to thrive. If you’re re-potting your plant, you will want to make sure that the new pot is the right size for the plant, so the roots can expand, and has the right drainage. Plants don't like to sit in water, so make sure to choose a pot with holes in the bottom. You may also want to consider adding small rocks or packing peanuts at the bottom to help with drainage.

Feed Them

While most potting soils come with fertilizers in them already, like you and me, plants benefit from good nutrition. Adding additional fertilizer every six weeks is sufficient to keep houseplants thriving. Most plant foods have a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Bottom line, plants are a lot like us. They need water, adequate sunlight, food, and optimal conditions in which to grow. If you’re still not sure what houseplant is right for you, please call us at Chappell’s Florist and we’ll gladly point you in the right direction.