Caring for a potted plant is easier than you think. If you have a green thumb, then this guide will provide the information that you need to keep your plants healthy and happy!
Generally, plants should be watered once every two weeks during the warmer months and once per month in cooler months. The next topic of discussion will be fertilizing your plants.
Plants can either receive fertilizer through natural sources or by using an artificial fertilizer such as 10-10-10 (NPK). Lastly, we’ll talk about what type of potting soil is best for growing different types of flowers and foliage.
What is a potted plant and why do I need one?
A potted plant is a plant that has been grown in its own pot, with the roots contained within the walls of the container. This allows for easy transport and changes in location while protecting the root system from potential damage or shock.
A good reason to have your houseplant in a pot you can easily move around is if it’s too big to fit somewhere else or if you don’t want it there anymore! You may also choose to transplant your plants into different containers during certain seasons of life.
Such as having an outdoor planter box which will accommodate larger plants when summer arrives, but then switching back indoors once fall comes around. This way, you can keep a plant long-term while it’s happy to be in space.
There are many different types of containers you can use for your plants ceramic pots or plastic pottery work well and vary widely in style.
Types of Plants to Choose From
There are many different types of plants that you can choose from. The best place to start looking is in your own home! See what type of plant grows well in the conditions where you live, which may mean getting a few houseplants indoors or choosing natural landscape plants if growing outside.
You might want to try one kind at first to see how much time and effort it takes to keep them healthy and then branch out into other options later on! It’s important not to get overwhelmed though by trying too many new things all at once.
So be sure that whatever option(s) you choose will work long-term before committing yourself fully to caring for them properly. If unsure about which would be best suited for your lifestyle, consult a local nursery or gardening expert for help!
The following are some common types of houseplants you can choose from to grow indoors:
Aloe
Aloe Vera is known as the “medicine plant” and produces succulent leaves that can be used in many medicinal applications. Aloe also has beautiful flowers which produce orange berries. This type of plant prefers bright light but not direct sunlight so it may need to be moved around if different rooms have different lighting conditions.
A great option for beginners who don’t know where they would place their plants yet because it does well with low maintenance once established in its new home!
Snake Plants
Snake Plants are often called mother-in-laws tongue because of its sharp pointed green leaves. It is one of the most popular types of houseplants because it tolerates low light and infrequent watering, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
English Ivy
English Ivy has lovely green heart shaped leaves that grow on long vines. This type of plant prefers bright indirect sunlight so be sure to turn the planter around every few days if your windows face different directions in order to keep all of its leaves getting adequate sun exposure!
If you have pets or children who may want to play with this kind of plant make sure they are aware not to pull at any part where new growths are emerging from the main stem as these can break off rather easily when pulled too hard.
Pothos
Pothos plants come in either a vine or bush variety. Both varieties have green heart shaped leaves and a cascading effect which makes them perfect for hanging baskets or other places where they can be allowed to grow downward.
Pothos plants are among the most popular houseplants because they tolerate low light conditions, infrequent watering and require very little maintenance once established in their new home!
Spider Plants
Spider Plants produce long slender shoots with small white flowers that resemble spider legs. They often need to be staked up as they mature due to how quickly its plant growth can become heavy from developing babies (pups) along the main stem of the mother plant!
Spider plants like bright indirect sunlight but also do well indoors without direct sun exposure so if your windows face differently it will still flourish beautifully!
How to care for your potted plant
Most plants prefer to be watered thoroughly but then allowed to almost dry out before being watered again. This means taking the plant out of its pot, turning it upside down over a sink or bathtub and rinsing off all loose dirt from roots as well as allowing any excess water to drain away.
Following this, replace soil carefully back into the pot making sure there are no air pockets remaining in order for proper root oxygenation! Most types of houseplants need direct sunlight ideally at least some time during the day so consider where you place your plant if this is an issue.
If not enough light reaches leaves they may start looking droopy which can cause other problems like brown leaf tips that will ruin their appearance! If unsure about what type of light your house receives then check online or consult a local nursery to find out what types of plants would thrive best in that specific environment.
As mentioned before, most houseplants require infrequent watering once they have been established and do not like being over watered as this may cause roots to rot instead. If you are unsure about whether it has enough water, lift it slightly on the soil at the top with your finger tips.
If leaves flop down immediately after releasing them from slight pressure you need more. But if the plant stands firm without sagging upright it is probably already saturated enough.
Also, take note of how often you are watering as different climates will dictate whether weekly or monthly is appropriate timing for everyone’s home. If all else fails be sure to consult a local nursery or look online to find out what types of plants would be best for the specific environment you live in.
Conclusion
Every plant is different and requires individual attention. It’s up to you, the owner of this potted plant, to determine what it needs. We hope we’ve provided some helpful tips for caring for your plants in general, but more importantly that you will use these ideas as a jumping-off point for figuring out how best to care for your own special plant friend!
