House plant care guide
Grow thriving, healthy houseplants with the help of these care tips.
House plants bring interest to the home and can improve the quality of the air you breathe, too. What's more, most of them are evergreen, providing interest throughout winter, when there's less to see outdoors.
There's a wide range of house plants to choose from, including large shrubs with big leaves, to smaller specimens, and flowering plants, too.
House plants don't require as much attention as you might think, but it's worth paying attention to a few care tips, to keep them growing well.
More house plant content:
- 11 of the best house plants to grow
- Best house plants for sunny spots
- Moving house plants outdoors in summer
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Dust the leaves
It's important to remove dust from house plant leaves. Not only does dusting improve the appearance of house plants, but it helps with photosynthesis, too. Gently rub leaves with a damp cloth, supporting them from below to prevent tearing. Alternatively, pop your dusty plants in the shower and spray them with lukewarm water.
Use leaf shine
Some gardeners are against using leaf shine sprays, arguing that it makes plants look artificial. But using leaf shine can be a fast, effective way to clean and spruce up houseplants.
Remove dead and browning leaves
Removing dead and brown leaves is imperative as they can ruin the look and shape of a houseplant, as well as harbour pests and disease. Simply cut out damaged leaves using secateurs or sharp scissors, cutting just above a leaf point. You can usually remove dead leaves with a gentle tug.
Feed your plants
If you don't feed your house plants, they won't thrive. Start feeding regularly, around three months after you've planted them, as the nutrients present in the compost start to deplete after this time. Use a liquid feed diluted in water, following the instructions on the bottle. Most houseplants don't need feeding more than once every one to three months, between March and September.
Water regularly
More house plants die from overwatering than any other cause, so it's important to know when and how to keep your plants hydrated. Over-watered plants effectively die from suffocation, as the compost becomes so wet the roots can't absorb oxygen. You can water your house plants by using a watering can to drench the compost from above, or by filling a saucer placed beneath the pot, so the water gradually percolates up through the compost. Check the care label on your plant to find out how much water is needed, and how frequently you should apply it. If in doubt, wait for the leaves to wilt before you water – this is usually easy to remedy, whereas damage to the roots from overwatering usually isn't.
Mist the leaves
Regulary misting the leaves of your house plants raises the humidity around them. Arranging potted house plants in groups also increases humidity, which is beneficial as it mimics their natural growing conditions.