Summer is just around the corner, and many owners will be looking forward to enjoying their gardens in the warm weather.
You may be one of thousands of people promising that this year you’re going to get on top of the garden situation. Enough with the overgrown hedges and ugly weeds in the lawn – the summer of ’25 is going to be different!
Likewise, those who love houseplants will be thinking it’s time to put a routine into looking after their potted treasures rather than applying emergency triage when you notice them turning brown, or find dead leaves on the carpet.
A study by Statista says 66% of American households own at least one houseplant. A separate study claimed 25% had up to five plants in their homes.
Houseplants are especially popular with Gen Z and Millennials, who call themselves “plant parents”.
Whether you love outdoor gardening, or tending to plants indoors, it’s important to apply a simple regime to ensure they’re not neglected.
Below, I’ve listed some ideas to help your houseplants thrive.
Drain away – Drainage is key with most houseplants. All your pots and planters should have drainage holes. Keep a small saucer or tray underneath to capture water that passes through the soil. If the pot is waterlogged, the roots will die.
Nature first – Each morning inspect your plants before you pick up your phone and lose the day in another tornado of digital news and social media. If you check your plants each morning, and maybe put on some coffee, it will give you a calmer morning, and it’ll ensure your plants stay healthy.
Soil check – Don’t water your plants unless the soil is dry. Poke the soil, and if it’s damp you don’t need to do anything.
Fertilizer strategy – Add some liquid fertilizer to your watering can so that each time you water the plant it gets a shot of nutrients.
Pest patrol – At least once a week, look for pest infestations under the leaves, or where the leaves meet the stem.
Wipe down – Another weekly task is to take a damp cloth or paper towel and remove dust from the leaves. Dust reduces the amount of sunlight a plant needs for photosynthesis.
Root test – You don’t want your plants to become root-bound in their pots. So, every two or three months, poke your finger into their soil. If it’s difficult to penetrate, in all likelihood the plant needs a bigger pot.
Prune carefully – Watch for brown, wilting or dead leaves, and remove them to help keep your plant healthy.