In this article you'll find some helpful information to properly acclimate your new plant to your home. Not all environments are the same, and no two homes are alike meaning that your plant will likely go through a period of adjustment before it starts to thrive.
We check our plants regularly for pests & disease, and treat them with a neem oil mixture every 7-10 days while in our care. But we highly recommend quarantining your new plant for a minimum of 30 days before adding it to a space where you have other plants. Introducing a new plant right away to a collection may be devastating as pests and plant diseases can spread rapidly and decimate indoor plants collections. Pests can be very easy to miss, even when the leaves are checked regularly, so make sure to look carefully!
Plant placement in your home is so important. Research the type of plant that you're going to purchase and make sure your home meets the requirements to make it happy & thrive. Theres nothing worse then diving in and realizing that the plant you've purchased is above your current plant care skill level, or that you cant provide it with enough warmth, humidity or light. This can be very discouraging to new plant owners and we definitely don't want that!
Know your dirt. Seriously, soil structure is huge for thriving house plant. Not all plants require the same soil mixtures, and not all potting soil brands are equal. We recommend that when its time for you to repot your plants, that you check out their soil requirements (ie; aroids need a chunky loose media that drains quickly for healthy roots, otherwise they may suffer from root rot) And just remember that healthy roots = healthy leaves = happy plant parents :)
The best time to repot plants that have outgrown their growers pots is in the spring or when they're actively growing. If you purchased a plant in the winter, theres a good chance that your plants growth has slowed and it can do more harm than good repotting it in the winter! You can place your new plant in a decorative planter or basket until the time comes. When the time does come to repot, make sure to choose a planter that has a drainage hole in the bottom. Plants need drainage otherwise the roots will rot, and your plant will die. Theres no nice way to put it! We love using terracotta and clay pots as they're porous and actually aid the roots by wicking water away. Just be aware that your plants will dry out much quicker when planted in terracotta.
Make sure that you're aware of whether your plant is toxic to pets & children. A quick google search should do the trick. Many plants that we know and love to keep in our homes can harm children and pets if they're ingested. So if you have critters that like to nibble, maybe reconsider the placement of your new plant. Hanging planters and shelves are a great option and keep our curious little ones safe!
Many people are convinced that if you water your plant a lot, your plant will grow a lot. We just need to bust that myth, over watering kills. Its the number one reason plants die in our homes, they're literally loved to death! A general rule that we like to tell everyone new to plants is let your plants dry out so the top few inches of soil are dry. The length of time between waterings may vary depending on the season. We fertilize our plants year round, if the plants are growing we are going to provide them with the nutrients they need to thrive and grow! In the winter we cut back significantly and only water the plants at a 1/4 strength, using organic marine fertilizer.
We hope you found this article helpful, let us know your thoughts!
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