Transforming your living space into a thriving green oasis is not always easy. When balancing the demands of student life and long days spent in LUSEM it’s easy to forget the plants. But it’s alright to do so, I need to admit that some plants have not survived under my care either. However, over time, I’ve discovered the importance of carving out moments to tend to them. Many plants give such refreshing life to the space and it may not come as a surprise really, but they are great air purifiers as well. Hence we certainly want to keep our plants alive! I’ve put together a list of simple yet crucial tips to keep in mind when caring for your little green oasis.
1. Choose plants based on the light in your living area
The amount of sunlight your living space receives, determined by factors like window direction, can influence which plants thrive best. While I’m not an expert, it’s convenient we can just search the internet for these answers. Additionally, consider the level of care each plant demands, based on your preference and commitment to maintenance.
2. Show a little extra care in the beginning
As with many new things, whether it’s a new pet, beginning of a new career or becoming a new parent, you pay especially more attention in the beginning. Similarly, new plants require some extra attention. Certainly, I don’t mean you need to babysit the plants and constantly monitor them. But familiarize yourself with how much and how often the plants need water, and whether they get too much or little sunlight. There are ways to decode the health of your plants through looking at the color and structure changes of the leaves.
3. Be mindful when watering
It might sound strange, but it’s better to “underwater” your plants than overwater them. And in my own experience I’ve actually found it to be true. Besides, make sure the pots have drainage holes so the water doesn’t get stuck making the roots rot. From time to time it’s even good to give your plants (especially leafy greens) a good shower, and for this, the holes in the pot are particularly important! But as I said before, be mindful that you don’t water the plants too much too often. For students like us, it’s not always a given to return back to Lund, to healthy green plants, after being away for the entire summer. Fortunately, there are self-water devices that work quite well in these situations.
As mentioned you can always understand the health of your plant, by looking at the leaves, but it’s not always easy. If you’re unsure what may be the issue in the first place, you can always search online to diagnose various issues. Probably the most common, yellowing leaves can indicate problems with watering imbalance (both over and “underwatering”), nutrient deficiency, or over-fertilization. Hence, it’s wise not to overdo fertilizers, and it’s perfectly fine to skip them if unsure.
4. Repot overgrown houseplants
As plants grow, so do their roots. Eventually, they may outgrow the pot, or the current pot being too small to support the weight of the plant itself. This signals it’s time to repot the plant into a larger pot. Subtle signs that a plant needs repotting include rapid drying of the soil and roots creeping out of drainage holes. When you observe these things, don’t wait too long. Sometimes, it may also be good to change the soil of the pot, as the nutrients diminish with time.
5. Prune your plants
Overgrown plants not only detract from their appearance but also hinder their healthy growth. Therefore, occasional pruning is beneficial. When shaping your plant, proceed gradually, stepping back to assess from all angles before cutting. Be mindful of maintaining symmetry, fullness, and balance, in order to maintain the esthetics as it takes time for replacements to develop. When trimming overlong stems, cut above a leaf node to encourage new growth. For larger stem removal, cut as close to the main stem as possible or at the base of the plant if possible. Light pruning can be done year-round, but for more extensive reshaping, the best time to tackle is late winter or early spring, when spring’s longer daylight hours will give the plant the boost it needs to recover.
6. Dust your plants
Perhaps, not the most fun task as it feels like there’s already enough dusting to do. However, plants that collect too much dust on their leaves can’t get the sunlight they may need to survive, especially green plants and plants with big leaves. A few times per year, use a wet cloth and lightly wipe down the leaves of your plants on both sides.
At last, let me share some wise words that you may have heard before, but which my grandma always tells. Don’t forget to talk to your plants! So as you embark on your journey of nurturing your green oasis, don’t forget to share a few kind words with your leafy companions.