HOW TO: Care for Plants!

As you may know, I am terrible at keeping plants alive.  It is in no way intentional, but somehow they succumb to my not-green thumb.  I do have two succulents left – YAY!

Proof!

During a conversation with AB, we started talking about the proper way to care for plants. Definitely check out her instructions below…I am going to try them for sure! by the fabulous Barbara Rothman (a.k.a AB) The big danger is in overwatering! “Don’t be a Jewish Mother to your plants!” an amazingly witty plant care book once said. It’s easy to see when a plant needs water. They droop! They slump! Thirsty, you can hear them sigh! A drink, please! But, when a plant is overwatered the roots beneath the soil begin to rot and until they’re dying and their leaves turn yellow (or even worse, they’re dead) you can’t see it.  Though SPRAYING the leaves with water can be done all the time…the more the better, many factors go into how often a plant needs watering. The type of plant actually doesn’t seem to matter much as all plants thrive on the same basic elements: light, oxygen and water. How often a plant needs water is based on: Location – Dry heat in winter, sun in summer. Type of pot – while a porous clay pot breathes and lets the moisture out and the air in, the soil will dry out more quickly than one in a plastic potted plant. The way to keep plants happy and healthy:

Don’t water when not needed. If unsure, you can stick your finger in the pot, if the soil is moist, do not water. If Top soil feels dry to the touch, watering ok.

Water thoroughly through and through to the roots! Use Room Temperature Water. Each time the plant is watered, WAIT for the water to dribble through the bottom dish of the plant. If no water in the dish, add more water. Continue this process until you see some water (not enough to overflow the dish). This will indicate the top soil and the roots have gotten the water they need.

That’s it! Pretty simple. Oh…look admiringly at the plant every so often. Believe it or not, it helps. Longer term care – snip off dead leaves so plant does not have to spend its energy on them. Turn plant occasionally, as they can’t do it themselves, so different parts of the plant get to face the light. Makes sense, right?  What are your tips to keeping your plants green, healthy, and most importantly – alive?