How to take care of your plants
One of the easiest and quickest ways to turn your ‘house’ into a ‘home’ is to add some plants (and loads of cushions, but that’s for another day!)
I love having plants in the house. Not only do they improve the quality of air in your home and surroundings, but they also look beautiful and have the power to completely transform any space. They bring positive vibes into your home and create a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. But I must say, I’ve had kind of a rocky start with plants. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past and some major errors in judgment. I was known as the ‘serial cactus killer’ for a long time, but I have redeemed myself now (I think!). So if you don’t want to make the same mistakes that I made, read on!
Beautiful white bougainvillea: These grow very well in warm climate and are perfect for Dubai weather. I like to have some plants at the entrance for some positive, happy vibes!
Please note – I’m a plant lover (or enthusiast), and not a plant expert. So when you read these tips, please bear in mind that they are from someone who has learnt a few things the hard way (sometimes by trial and error) and not from a botanist or plant expert, so please don’t expect anything technical, just saying!
Peace Lily: If you're new to plants, this one is an easy plant to maintain. It is drought tolerant, and doesn't need much fertilizer. But keep it away from harsh sunlight!
Understanding needs: This is actually very basic, but I think still worth mentioning. When you buy a new plant, it is so crucial to know what it needs especially in terms of sunlight and water. It is usually mentioned on the label of the plant, or if you’re buying directly from a plant nursery, you can easily find out. All plants are not the same and they all have different needs, much like us. While some plants love the shade, others thrive in indirect or direct sunlight. If you don’t keep plants in the right place, they may not grow well, or may even die. I have made the mistake of keeping a Peace Lily in strong sunlight and it unfortunately didn’t make it. I kept thinking all the time that it’s not getting enough water, but the problem wasn’t the water – it was the direct sunlight. Also, some plants can tolerate a bit of dry soil, while others need it moist at all times, so best to find out these things in advance. You know, plants are just like us humans - some are forgiving, while others need a lot of TLC!
To water, or not to water, that is the question: One of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made is over watering plants. When I first bought plants for my new home, I was determined to take good care of them and I had this vision of me sitting in a room full of plants drinking tea, reading a book and looking at all the greenery around me.. ah bliss! So in my over enthusiasm, I decided that every morning before going to work, I would water the plants. Yes, daily. And guess what, before long, most plants were wilting and basically not looking very healthy. I kept thinking, what am I doing wrong?? I’m watering them every day! What more can I do, etc. etc. But on analyzing the situation, it was evident that my daily watering schedule was the real culprit. The best way to find out if your plant needs water is by sticking your finger in the soil about an inch deep, and if it feels dry, it needs water. If it’s still moist, then it probably doesn’t and you should check again the next day. By blindly watering your plants every day, you’re doing more harm than good. Of course, you may be living in a place where you need to water plants daily, or even twice in a day (like in Dubai for example!) – But it’s always best to check first. You know, better safe than sorry!
Also, if someone has gifted you a beautiful orchid, please know that orchids only flower once or maybe twice in a year! So no amount of watering is going to make it flower, it will probably not survive the excess watering! I’ve learnt this the hard way unfortunately, but hopefully this tip will save many more of those gorgeous plants!
Choose the right planter for your plant. This one has a hole at the bottom to let the water drain out. Check the outer container frequently and throw the excess water that's collected. No one likes stagnant water!
Choosing inappropriate planters: Planters are basically the containers/pots that you use to keep the plants in. They come in all shapes and sizes and can actually be a vital part of your home décor. You may even choose to make your own planters by repurposing or reusing bowls, jars, boxes etc. You know, being green and sustainable and all that. But when you’re choosing planters, it’s always good to check if they have any kind of drainage. Something as basic as 1-2 holes at the bottom can make a world of a difference. Most plants do not like to sit in stagnant water. It leads to their roots rotting and the plant literally drowning in the excess water. Not to mention the horrid smell of fungus and bacteria that can start growing in these conditions. It’s really unpleasant. I once used some glass maison jars as planters (Pinterest inspired) and I really struggled to keep the plants alive. While they looked really cute, maison jars were not the best choice and I should have at least drilled a hole at the bottom to let the water drain out! Lesson learnt! If you must use a planter without the drainage holes at the bottom, you’ll have to be extra careful when you water the plant so as to not let the water pool at the bottom.
A tip would be to put some flat pebbles at the bottom of the planter to create a layer of drainage and then add the soil on top. Something’s better than nothing!
Plants need food too: Even if you’re using a highly fortified potting mixture, over time the soil is going to run out of nutrients, especially for potted plants. So it’s important to provide your plants with some plant food or fertiliser maybe once every 2-3 months. There are loads of different options and a trip to the plant center can answer a lot of questions. Make sure you add the fertiliser in the summer months when the plants are actively growing and they need all the nutrients. It’s only recently that I’ve started using plant food and I can already see a big difference. It’s not like the plants will die if you don’t use plant food, but their growth will certainly slow down over time. There are so many different options to choose from – liquid fertilisers, tablets, granules etc. You also get the organic variety like GrowFast. Make sure you read the instructions, because too much fertiliser can kill the plant!
Tender Loving Care: How many of you buy a plant, place it in a gorgeous planter in that awkward corner in your house, and then hope for the best? I’ve been there, done that. But you know what, plants need a lot of care and attention. So take off the dead leaves, prune them once in a while, give them food, spray some water and wipe the dust off their leaves. It will just make them feel loved and I promise you, they will grow a lot better. A great tip is to involve your kids in this activity and catch them young, it is so important that they understand how to take care of plants. I have always been fascinated by plants – right from grade four when I first learnt about photosynthesis. I still remember my science teacher’s exact words. Photo means light and synthesis means ‘putting together’. How cool is photosynthesis guys?? I mean if you really think about it, plants basically make their own food, and they also produce oxygen so we all can breathe! So the least we can do is give them some love and respect.
If you observe your plants on a daily basis, you’ll just know when something doesn’t feel right. It’s so important to have a closer look right away and fix the situation, because a lot of the times, these plants can be rescued by small fixes. It’s really not different to what you would do with your own health to be honest. You may either be over watering, or under watering or maybe the plant is not in the correct spot. I once had kept a plant near a radiator when we were living in the UK. And obviously the plant was getting too stressed with the heat coming off the radiator and was yellowing in some places. As soon as I moved it away from the radiator, it was back to being healthy! So definitely try a few different things before you give up on the plant..
'I'm not really a plant person' - I've heard this so many times from so many people. As a matter of fact, in my 'cactus killing days', I have used this very line many times! But trust me, it's really not that hard. Start with one plant and slowly as you get more confident, you can have your own little sanctuary at home. And that's the best feeling in the world!
Do you have any tips? Or any mistakes you have made when it comes to plants? Comment below and let me know!
xx
Kirti