How To Have A Thriving Indoor Garden This Summer
With many people living in apartments, Barratt London has created the ultimate indoor guide to growing and maintaining indoor plants within an apartment or small space…
Light optimisation
Understanding where to put your plants should be dictated by the light in your home, so it’s important to observe which areas receive the most and least natural light. While you don’t want to place a plant in direct sunlight, placing it by the window or in an area that receives sunshine throughout the day will help it thrive.
With this, ensure you know your apartment's humidity levels and temperature. Many plants have an ideal temperature in which they thrive, so it’s important to research before purchasing it. Remember that it might take time for your plant to find its perfect place within your home, so you may need to move it around a few different areas. A helpful tip is to take a picture of your plant in the morning and then again in the evening. Compare the two images and see how your plant has moved during the day.
Watch out for pests and diseases
Overwatering, poor ventilation, and lack of sunlight are reasons why plants attract pests and diseases such as bacterial infections and fungi. Make sure you check your plant a few times a week to see if anything changes. For example, if your plant has produced yellow leaves, check the soil for signs of over-watering or root rot.
A helpful tip here would be to take some tissue and wipe dust that is present on the leaves or the stems. Take the time to inspect each part; the quicker you find potential issues with your plant, the easier they are to fix.
Keep away from air conditioning or fans
Having plants near an air conditioning unit will not obstruct the airflow but could be a potential safety hazard if they come into contact with the unit or a fan. To prevent this, put your plant in a position where it gets constant airflow but is away from harm.
Grooming
Trim plants where needed, and wipe off any dust from the plant to prevent infestations of spider mites. Grooming should happen either daily or a few times a week, depending on how high maintenance the indoor plant is.
Winter is a good time to do thorough grooming, which typically includes removing plant debris, cutting just below the leaves to encourage healthy growth of a new leaf (otherwise known as pruning), and repotting the plant if needed.
Don’t overwater
Refrain from overwatering your plants, and thoroughly check how often you should water a particular plant. Overwatered plants start to show yellow leaves and have symptoms of root rot (where the oxygen is starved from the plant). Weakened plant structure can also be a sign of overwatering. Underwatering an indoor plant will show signs of droopy folded leaves, brown tips, and slow growth. Water your indoor plants less in the autumn and winter as there are shorter daylight hours and more in the spring and summer.
Wildlife-friendly balcony
If you have some outdoor space, such as a balcony, encourage wildlife by either having bird baths or creating a vertical garden with the outdoor space that you do have. Have hanging plant baskets that birds and wildlife could sit in, and add light to your balcony with solar-panelled lights.
Pet friendly plants
Purchase plants that won't cause harm to your furry friends. Calatheas and spider plants are great options if you want to be pet-friendly. Avoid peace lilies and snake plants if you have pets, as they are poisonous if ingested.
Suitable pots
Plastic and metal pots aren’t just bad for the environment; they are also prone to overheating, so opting for terracotta and ceramic pots will encourage healthy growth as they allow the plant to expand. A helpful tip here would be purchasing pots that have a drainage hole, as this allows excess water to escape, preventing root rot.
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