Indoor plants are hugely popular at the moment, and with Pinterest predicting ‘patterned plants’ will be a trend for 2018, it’s likely that our green house guests will be around a while longer! If you’ve got a house full of plants that you struggle to care for, or if you’re just introducing plants to your home, we’ve put together an easy guide to caring for your indoor plants.

Avoid Over Watering

Knowing your plant is the key to sufficient watering. Some plants require tonnes of water, whereas others need very little. A good rule of thumb is to water your plants little by little, and check that the soil is moist but not wet. It is also important to choose a pot with good drainage, so any excess water can drain away.

Remember, if you’re going on holiday you may need someone to pop in and water your plants for you! Most plants shouldn’t be left for more than a few days without water.

Choose the Right Light

Much like watering, the amount of light needed really depends on the plant. If your house is low on natural light, choose a plant that prefers shady environments. You will be able to tell that your plant is not getting enough light if it its leaves start to fall or if it seems to be staining towards the light more than usual.

Likewise, if your plant is getting too much light the leaves may start to look washed out and become dry. If this happens, consider moving your plant to a slightly darker area and see how it does.

Get Pruning

Removing dead leaves and branches will help to encourage healthy growth. Ensure you remove less than 25% of the plant’s leaves at a time, and give the plant plenty of time to recover before pruning again. It is also important to keep your tools clean, as pruning can allow germs to get into the plant, potentially causing infection. Some plants should never be pruned, so do some research before you start snipping!

Top Plant Tips:

1) Choose cacti and succulents for a low-maintenance house plant
2) Some houseplants are poisonous to pets – research before buying!
3) Keep soil moist but not wet
4) Ensure your plant has proper drainage
5) Repot your plants when they start to get too big – check to see if roots have started to grow through the drainage holes.