How to: Take care of a Houseplant

This is a general guideline for the care of most houseplants. Some houseplants have rather specific needs; please speak with one of our NRG specialists to ensure proper care. Three major components are light, soil, and water. Your goal is to imitate the plant's natural habitat without going overboard. Most houseplants require moderate to high direct light, or indirect filtered light. Direct light is light that comes through a window and shines directly onto the plant. Indirect light is filtered through some type of medium such as a curtain, leaves from a tree, or is reflected off of a surface. In general, most houseplants require all-purpose potting soil; however, some houseplants require different types of soil such as succulents, African violets, bonsai, and orchids. Watering proves to be the most challenging aspect of caring for a houseplant. Many people tend to think they are not watering their plant enough, when in fact they are watering far too much. A good indicator of when to water is to pick the plant up and test its weight. The lighter it is, the more water it needs, though this is not always an option. Another way to test the moisture level of your plant is to stick your index finger in the soil. If you feel moisture a little way down, the plant does not need to be watered. If you do not feel moisture, water your plant.

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Follow these steps to ensure a healthy, successful lifespan of your houseplants.

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