Both indoor and outdoor plants are pleasant additions to the decor. It is generally easy to take care of and if done correctly, the plants thrive. Whether you're not sure how to care for plants or just want to be sure you've done it right, read step one for information on how to properly care for indoor and outdoor plants.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Caring for Indoor Plants
Step 1. Give the plants plenty of light
A major concern for plants in the home is making sure they get enough light. Keeping plants on the coffee table in your living room is certainly very nice, but if it's too far from the window, the plants won't last long. Check how much light is needed for each plant and move them to a place that has these characteristics. Remember that south-facing windows will receive most of the light, while north-facing windows will receive less. The basic indications for sunlight are:
- Plants that need "full light" should be placed in a place that receives 4-6 hours of direct light per day.
- Plants that need "partial light" should be placed in a place that receives 2-3 hours of direct light per day.
- Plants that need "shade" should be placed in a place that receives 1 hour of direct light per day.
Step 2. Water the plants regularly
Having the right water balance for plants is not easy: too much water will cause the roots to rot due to poor drainage, too little water will cause them to dry out. The specific amount of water needed varies from plant to plant, as some should always be moist, while others (such as cacti and succulents) only need water once in a while. However, most plants thrive when watered 2-3 times a week. Use a spray bottle or small watering can and add enough water each time, so the soil is moist without being muddy.
- Dig your finger into the ground up to the second knuckle to see how wet it is; if the finger remains dry, you have to give the plant water. If it is completely wet, then leave the water alone for another two or three days.
- Always use lukewarm water for plants, as cold water can shock the roots and cause damage to the plant.
Step 3. Fertilize your plants every now and then
Fertilizer is a soil additive that provides plants with nutrients. It is especially important to fertilize indoor plants every 2-3 weeks, because there is no organic material that naturally adds to the soil the way outdoor plants do. Most fertilizers have a series of 3 numbers, such as 10-20-10; these numbers refer to the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contained in the fertilizer. Since each type of plant requires different amounts of these three minerals, the type of fertilizer needed will vary from time to time. However, starting with a "compromise" fertilizer such as 6-12-6 or 10-10-10 should be fine for most plants.
- Spray or irrigate the fertilizer directly on the soil, according to the instructions on the package.
- There is no need to mix the fertilizer into the soil, as it will dissolve and blend into the mix on its own over time.
Step 4. Clean the plants
Indoor plants become covered in a thin layer of dust over time. This powder takes away the natural beauty of plants and makes it difficult for them to grow because it clogs the "pores" of the leaves. Consequently, it is important to clean up any dust you usually notice. Depending on the size of the plant, there are two different types of cleaning: dust them with a cloth or wipe them in the sink under running water. If you decide to dust them, mix a small amount of warm water with some dish or plant detergent and soak a clean cloth in the mixture before wiping the leaves. If you put them under running water, turn on the hot water in the sink and carefully wipe each leaf with your hands or a clean cloth.
- Cleaning plants directly under running water works best for smaller plants. But make sure you don't drop too much water into the vase.
- There are products on the market such as plant cleaning sprays that can be used to dust the leaves.
Step 5. Move the plant away from drafts
Humidity levels in the home tend to be lower than those outside. As a result, it is common for indoor plants to dry out due to a lack of moisture. While watering them regularly can help prevent this condition, another cause can be exposure of the plant to drafts. Whether heating or air conditioning is causing it, the constant flow of air will dry the plant's leaves and cause them to fall off. To fix this, move them away from any drafts in the room. You can also add a humidifier to your furniture to get more humidity in the air.
Method 2 of 3: Caring for Outdoor Plants
Step 1. Make sure the plants have enough water
Taking care of plants in a garden means above all relying on natural elements and the surrounding environment. Consequently, the amount of water needed depends on the climate and soil in your area. Generally it is a good rule to water the plants every 2-3 times a week, by hand with a watering can or with an irrigation system. Your garden soil should be moist without being soggy and not dry enough to be crumbly and dusty.
Check for the ideal amount of water for each plant, as each variety prefers different amounts of water
Step 2. Check for garden weeds regularly
Weeds can grow overnight and ruin a gorgeous garden. Weeds aren't just an eyesore, they also take up a lot of space and use soil nutrients that might otherwise serve to grow your garden. As a result, you should try to weed them out every time you see them popping up. Grab each weed as close to the ground as possible and pull upwards. This will increase the likelihood of eradicating the root system and slowing the growth of future weeds.
- You can use herbicides for the garden, but most are not specific to certain plants, so they will kill all surrounding plants (not just weeds).
- Check for weeds that grow under the canopy of plants or bushes.
Step 3. Mulch your garden regularly
Mulch is a type of organic compound added to the surface layer of the soil to prevent weed formation and to lock in moisture. Mulch will also add nutrients to the soil as it mixes over time, helping plants grow. You can get mulch at most garden stores. Add a 2-5 cm thick layer of mulch to the soil surface.
- Be careful not to cover the base of the plants with mulch, as this will inhibit growth. This is especially important for small trees and bushes.
- You can add a layer of organic compost as a mulch substitute if you prefer.
Step 4. Cut off any dead or diseased plants
Plant diseases can spread quickly in the garden if they are not contained. The same goes for a damaged plant; if you don't remove the diseased branches, they can spread to the rest of the plant. Whenever you notice a plant turning yellow, withering, becoming brittle, or looking sickly, use a pair of garden shears to cut the branches from the base. Throw away those branches rather than leaving them in the garden as compost, as they contain a disease and can spread it to other nearby plants.
Step 5. Remove the faded flowers from the plants
It is the practice of removing withered flowers from a plant. This will stimulate new growth and eliminate rooster and wilted flowers. To do this, use a pair of garden scissors to cut the flower right under the bud. Over the next few days, you will notice that a new bud will form and bloom.
Step 6. Fertilize the plants once a month
Outdoor plants have more nutrients from the external environment than indoor ones, so they need less fertilization. Find a fertilizer that meets the specific mineral needs of your plants, or choose a “compromise” one such as a 6-12-6 or 10-10-10 compound at your local dealer. Spray or water the fertilizer on the plants once every 4-5 weeks, according to the package instructions.
- There is no need to hoe fertilizer into the soil, as it will incorporate itself over time.
- If you're not sure how to use fertilizer, ask your local nursery clerk for help.
Method 3 of 3: Avoid Typical Mistakes
Step 1. Add drainage to soil that drains with difficulty
If your garden or potted plant constantly has a puddle of water on the soil surface, then the soil drains with difficulty. This is bad, because increased water can cause root rot, slowly killing the plant. To remedy this, remove the plant with a clod of soil and place it on a tarp or other clean pot. Remove some of the clay soil and replace it with a layer of gravel or pebbles. Put new soil on the surface and put the plant back in its original place.
If all of the soil is difficult to drain, you can remove it and mix it with sand to increase drainage
Step 2. Move plants that are placed too close together
If you have been a little too enthusiastic and planted several plants too close together when they were small, you may be surprised once they are grown, as they will start competing for space in the garden or in the house. Plants that are too close together won't grow much, because there aren't enough nutrients to share. Take out any excess plants and move them to a new part of the garden or larger pot. Fill the empty space with new soil.
- Always use soil purchased from nurseries rather than your own garden, as your garden contains insects, plant diseases, and weeds that will spread to other plants in the new location.
- You understand if the plants are too close if they grow close to each other or if their main branches cross.
Step 3. Avoid adding too much mulch
While mulch is good for adding nutrients and blocking weeds, adding too much can become problematic in a garden. In fact, mulch not only blocks weeds, but also the growth of plants on the surface. Never add more than 5cm of mulch layer in the garden. If the plants in your garden are not growing after adding mulch, remove about 2 cm of the mulch and wait a few weeks to see any improvement.
If you add too much mulch to the base of a stem or tree, it will block out sunlight and prevent growth. Remove the mulch from the base of the plants and trees
Step 4. Cut off any dead or diseased plants
Plant diseases can spread quickly in the garden if they are not contained. The same goes for a damaged plant; if you don't remove the diseased branches, they can spread to the rest of the plant. Whenever you notice any yellowing, brown, dry, brittle, or sick-looking plants, use a pair of garden shears to cut the branches off the base.
Throw away these branches rather than leaving them in the garden as compost, because if they contain a disease, they will spread it to nearby plants
Step 5. Avoid overwatering your plants
Even if you think you are watering your plants right, if they begin to turn yellow and sag, you are probably giving too much water. Most plants do not need to be given water every day, in fact, they are better off if they are given a lot of water every now and then. Only water the plants when the soil is dry to at least 5cm deep. If you water whenever the surface of the soil appears dry, it is almost certain that you will be giving too much water. If you have a hard time managing the water to give, try using a spray bottle instead of a watering can. Spray bottles make it very difficult to pour too much water, because they dispense very little water at once.
Step 6. Make sure you don't plant the plants too deep
If the plants are slowly dying and wilting for no known reason, you may have buried them too deeply. The roots of the plants must be relatively close to the surface, so that they can extract all the nutrients from the soil and have access to the sun. Carefully pull out your plants and move them so that the root ball is just below the soil surface. If the root ball is partially exposed, spread a thin layer of mulch over the surface to protect it.
