Plant care

 

There are five essential factors for an indoor plant to survive and thrive including water, humidity, a suitable planter, correct temperatures and light.

But don't be overwhelmed by this list, once you know the basics it really is trial and error - even for the experienced green thumb. One of the fantastic things about gardening is you never stop learning and when you get things right you are rewarded with the beauty of nature.

Fun fact - more people kill plants by over watering them rather than not watering them.

Sunlight levels for your indoor plants

All plants need light to grow, they can't survive without it. Light is a very important part of photosynthesis, the process plants use to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. Without light, photosynthesis can't work properly, and without photosynthesis, plants don't get all the food they need to grow healthy and strong.

Full Sun means bright and direct sun. Most house plants do not like full sun and many of them will become very damaged or will not survive very long when they receive too much direct sunlight. The only plants that enjoy summer sun is desert cacti & succulents that can tolerate a lot of sun. Full sun is experienced from a north facing window.

Bright Light means bright but without direct sun. The best place for bright light without direct sun is a north facing window; with the plant set back at least a metre from the window. East and west facing windows are also suitable if the window is large enough to allow plenty of daylight, with the plant sitting far enough back from the early midday sun arriving and early sunset. This is the lighting requirement for most foliage plants and many flowering types too.

Indirect Light means partial sunlight and shade. For a plant to receive sun during the day for a couple of hours or so it will need to be seated close to an east or west facing window. Placed near an east or west facing window will give a plant some morning or evening sun; avoiding the heat of the midday sun. Many plants, especially flowering types grow at their best close to a window in partial sun & shade.

Low Light means full shade or very low light. Many rooms qualify as low light, especially in winter. Rooms with south-facing or partially shaded windows would qualify as low light situations. If you can't read a newspaper easily, it's probably low light. A south facing window provides full shade, but low light can also depend on the size or number of windows in a room.

Most plants do not grow at their best in shaded or low light conditions, especially flowering types. However, you'll find some species survive and are known for their ability to thrive in low light and they're easy to grow. A few plants that grow well in low lighting include the Peace Lily, Mother in laws Tongue & zz Plant. 

 

Aloe Cosmo

Aloes are characterised by rosettes of fleshy succulent leaves, which grow close to the ground. This plant requires very little attention and almost thrives on neglect. This little plant is the perfect choice for the beginner.

LIGHT: Bright light but without direct sun, so place near a window. This plant doesn't do well in sustained direct sunlight as this tends to dry out the plant and turns its leaves yellow.

WATER: Infrequently but deeply. Allow the soil to dry at least 2-5cms deep between waterings. But don't let the plant sit in water. Rule of thumb is about every three weeks during the warmer months and more sparingly during winter. 

CARE: Low maintenance and likes well-draining soil.  Avoid overwatering, but don’t let them dry out too much.

 

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium Andreanum)

The Anthurium Andreanum is a spectacular tropical plant with large heart-shaped leaves which flowers in a range of reds and pinks. This plant is commonly known as the Flamingo Flower or Flamingo Lily. These plants are perfect for bringing colour into the home or office and in the right conditions, this plant will flower almost continually throughout the year.

LIGHT: Bright light but without direct sun, this plant can be grown in a sheltered position indoors or outdoors in a well-lit position.

WATER: Keep moist is the growing season and drier in the winter. Avoid watering on the leaves as it may cause brown spots.

CARE: Prefers warm and humid positions (watch for leaves turning yellow as this may be a sign of an environment which is too cool or of over-watering). Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to keep the leaves naturally glossy.

 

Herb Bowls - Flat Leaf Parsley, Pizza Thyme & Oregano

These Herb Bowls are a great addition to an outdoor setting and come with various herbs and options include Basil, Chives, Coriander, Flat Leaf Parsley, Oregano, Pizza Thyme, Sage & Thyme.

LIGHT: Full to part sun.

WATER: Regularly especially throughout Summer when it is hot.

CARE: Cut herbs regularly to encourage new growth and fertilise with a seaweed or organic liquid fertiliser every 3 to 6 months.

 

Monstera Adansonii 

This gorgeous plant is commonly known as the Swiss Cheese Vine and is a great addition to any indoor collection. The Swiss Cheese Vine gets its name from its large, heart-shaped leaves which become covered with holes that resemble Swiss cheese. These plants are native to the jungles of Central and South America where they grow under tree canopies, so these plants grow best in indirect sunlight with humid conditions.

LIGHT: Indirect light or partial sunlight and shade. If direct sunlight is unavoidable, limit the exposure to just two to three hours of morning sun.

WATER: Before watering, check the soil by sticking your finger into the soil up to the knuckle to see how wet or dry the soil is. If the soil is nearly dry, water it. Make sure you don't let the soil dry out entirely. These plants like humidity so you can also mist (spray with water) regularly.

CARE: Low maintenance, prefers a warm environment and likes to climb.

 

Zebra Cactus (Haworthia)

This dainty little succulent makes a very attractive indoor plant and is commonly known as the Zebra Cactus. This plant looks similar to an Aloe with its vibrant fleshy green leaves but it has a distinctive appearance with the zebra-like white stripes on its leaves. Haworthias are very slow growing, don’t need much fuss or care and make the perfect choice for a beginner.

LIGHT: Bright light but without direct sun, so place near a window. This plant doesn't do well in sustained direct sunlight as this tends to dry out the plant.

WATER: Infrequently but deeply. Allow the soil to dry at least 2-5cms deep between waterings. But don't let the plant sit in water. Rule of thumb is about every three weeks during the warmer months and more sparingly during winter.

CARE: Low maintenance and likes well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering, but don’t let them dry out too much.