Caring for houseplants isn’t as complicated or as difficult as some people may assume. Half the secret to success is realising that like outdoor plants, houseplants have different growing conditions.

Lighting

Proper lighting is one of the key factors for good plant health. Houseplants can be grouped into; low light plants; medium light plants and bright light plants.

An easy way to gauge light levels is by observing shadows.

• Low light – no shadow
• Medium light – a faint shadow.
• Bright light – a sharp, distinct shadow.

Signs of incorrect lighting:

• Too little: leggy growth, pale or yellowing leaves and failure to bud or flower.
• Too much: scorched or bleached leaves, and in some cases leaf drop.

Pro tips:

• It’s always good to check if your plant has a clear view of the sky
• Clean your plant regularly. Dusty leaves can reduce light absorption.

Watering

The basic rule of watering is to do so when the soil is starting to dry out and to ensure that excess water is drained away to prevent waterlogging.

Where possible, bottom water your plants. But don’t let your plants stand in water for prolonged periods of time.

Feeding

For most plants feeding will be from March to September. Until then allow your plant to sit and rest.

Specialist feeds are available for certain groups of plants such as citrus and orchids, but for a balanced feed Baby Bio is a popular choice.

Pest Control Top Tips

Mealy bugs

Mealy bugs look like small, white, cotton masses that can normally be seen at the base of the leaf stems and on the underside of leaves.

They are attracted to moisture so you are more likely to find them on over watered plants.

Control

• They spread mechanically, so it’s best to avoid overcrowding
• Keep affected plants separate from your other houseplants.
• You can use SB Plant invigorator on a regular basis to control them
• At first sight of mealy bug, use a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe them off.

Fungus gnats

Fungus gnats are small, dark, flying insects that live in moist soil conditions. They  like to lay their eggs in damp soil so again you are more likely to find them on over watered plants.

The best way to control Fungus gnats is to keep the top layer of soil dry. It’s best to bottom water.

You can use a fine pot topper like crushed sea shells or horticultural grit to prevent them going into the soil. Sticky traps also work well to control their numbers.

Top 5 must-have products to keep your houseplants thriving:

• Houseplant feed
• A good quality secateur
• A spray bottle for those hot summer days
• A leaf duster and leaf shine
• A spare empty decorative pot – because you never know when your next houseplant will show up in your home.

Photo by GAP photography

Are your houseplants outgrowing their pot?

Give your leafy companions the upgrade they deserve – they’ll thank you by looking amazing!

Book a session with our expert team at Perrywood Tiptree, and we’ll re-pot your houseplants for you. Plus, we’ll give you personalised care tips to keep them thriving and looking fabulous.