Do plants need care?

Plants have become one of people’s favorite things. And your favorite things need care. If you don’t take care of them, they’re not truly your favorites. Plants require attention, too—some only need minimal care, while others demand a bit more. Caring for plants can provide huge benefits in your daily life.

Light

Plants collect energy from sunlight. Certain plants thrive in low light, while others perform best in bright light. But every plant needs sunlight. For plants that need low sunlight, it’s better to place them in areas of the house where sunlight is minimal. You can keep low-light plants like Snake plants and Spider plants almost anywhere, but you should sometimes expose them to sunlight. Plants that need high light should be placed where sunlight is strongest.

Water

Indoor plants generally need less water than outdoor plants due to lower exposure to sunlight and wind. Water them only when they need it. How can you understand when they need water? Use your finger. Press into the soil 2-3 inches deep. If the soil feels dry, water them. If the soil still feels moist, hold off on watering a little longer.

Soil

Good soil is important for plants. You cannot use just any soil for indoor plants; mixing in additional materials is often best for better results. Just as healthy food supports your body, quality soil supports plant growth.

You can buy houseplant soil mix from stores, or you can mix it yourself at home. Making it yourself can give you more experience and satisfaction.

Perlite: A lightweight volcanic mineral that improves aeration and drainage, especially useful for plants that need well-draining soil, like succulents.

Orchid Bark: Often made from pine or fir bark, this chunky material allows for airflow and is excellent for orchids and other plants requiring good drainage.

Compost: Adds nutrients and beneficial microbes to the soil, enriching the mix and helping retain moisture.

Peat Moss: Retains moisture well and improves soil structure; however, use sustainably sourced peat alternatives when possible.

Coir (Coconut Coir): A sustainable alternative to peat moss, coir retains moisture and improves aeration. It’s made from coconut husks and is popular for eco-friendly gardening.

Pruning and Maintenance

It’s important to trim away any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves and branches from your plants. The best times to do this are early summer and early winter, but it’s good to check regularly. Light pruning can encourage growth. Don’t use your hands to break off parts of the plant as you would with candies—use sharp tools instead. Dust and dirt should be removed daily by cleaning the leaves and pots.

Pest Control

Pests can be an issue for plants, but they’re manageable. Protect your plants from pests as you would protect yourself from germs.

Indoor plants can be affected by pests such as spider mites, aphids, scale insects, fungus gnats, and mealybugs. Symptoms include yellowing or deformed leaves, sticky residue, white webbing, or spots on leaves.

When you get a new plant, check it for pests and clean it after bringing it home. A spray of water can remove dust and deter pests; simply washing with water can often eliminate many pests. Avoid excessive water pressure on plants.

Using neem oil or insecticidal soap can also be an effective solution.

Neem Oil: Mix neem oil with water and a few drops of mild soap, then spray it on affected leaves, focusing on the undersides where pests often hide.

Insecticidal Soap: Mild, plant-safe soaps kill pests by dehydrating them. You can make a homemade solution with a few drops of liquid dish soap diluted in water and spray it on infected areas.

Repotting and Transplanting

As indoor plants grow, they need to be repotted into larger containers to accommodate their expanding root systems. Typically, repotting every one to two years is enough for most indoor plants.

Note: If you notice that one or a few plants are affected by pests, move them away from the others.