"Mastering Plant Maintenance: My Strategies for Maintaining a Vibrant and Thriving Houseplant Routine"
Houseplants: Manage Your Jungle Like a Pro
Let's face it, once you're smitten with houseplants, you can't seem to stop. One charming cutting becomes a full-blown obsession, and before you know it, your abode is bursting with greenery. But fear not, for we've got the secrets to keeping your thriving indoor garden in check, straight fromJo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies and a veritable plant connoisseur.
With families full of houseplants, it's easy to go about things haphazardly. However, grouping them based on similar needs is a better approach in the long term. Jo advises keeping moisture-lovers, such as ferns and calatheas, in one area, while air-deficient succulents get their own spot. This streamlines your care routines and eliminates confusion when watering, feeding, and checking on your leafy companions.
Now that you've organized your green buddies, it's time to prioritize their needs. Regularly check on your houseplants, especially during fledgling stages when they require more attention. But as your plants establish themselves, incorporating casual glances into your everyday routine is sufficient. Trust Jo – this practice helps in catching issues early, such as yellowing leaves or dryness.
But how can you grow a successful, long-term relationship with your houseplants? The key lies in consistent care and vigilance. Establishing routines like watering schedules, fertilizer applications, repotting intervals, and general check-ins can ensure a verdant indoor jungle. In Jo's book, the founder of Beards & Daisies and author of The Unkillables, maintaining a plant journal has proven instrumental in this endeavor. Whether it's a dedicated notebook or an app on your device, keeping track of when you last catered to your plants' needs will help you nurture your indoor garden and deepen your bond with them.
Lastly, it's essential to adjust your care routines based on the seasons. During winter months, plants typically require reduced water and no fertilizer. By adapting to your houseplants' altering needs, you can foster growth, prevent stunting, and guarantee a thriving indoor garden, regardless of the season.
Jo Lambell: The Plant Whisperer
Journeying from adopting a six-foot Monstera in 2001 to founding the accessible plant delivery service Beards & Daisies, Jo Lambell has been captivated by the allure of houseplants for nearly two decades. With over 20 plants in her care, she offers invaluable insights into managing a large houseplant collection. Beards & Daisies offers a carefully curated selection of unusual plants, from prayer plants to palm trees, ensuring that plant enthusiasts can foster manageable, healthy indoor gardens of their own. By embracing eco-conscious practices, such as recyclable and compostable packaging, the business reinforces a broader commitment to sustainability in plant care.
Plant-Pampering Resources
To embark on your journey as a houseplant nurturer, arm yourself with these essential resources:
- Houseplants: a Complete Guide to Choosing, Caring for, and Designing with the Very Best Plants for Indoor Living, by RHS. With 330 plant profiles and 24 step-by-step projects, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about indoor gardening.
- The Secret Garden Journal. Keep your plant journal close at hand with this beautifully designed journal, perfect for jotting down notes, tracking care schedules, and developing a stronger connection with your indoor garden.
- The Ultimate Guide to Houseplants: A Comprehensive Book, featuring unconventional and exotic plant species, this guide is an excellent resource for expanding your plant collection and experimenting with unusual varieties.
FAQs
Q: Should I put pebbles on top of soil on indoor plants?A: While pebbles can look appealing atop soil, they make it difficult to check soil moisture levels. Jo advises leaving the soil exposed, enabling easy visual assessments of plant health.
Q: What is the best thing to put at the bottom of pots for good drainage?A: Jo suggests using materials like terracotta pot shards, coarse perlite, or gravel at the bottom of pots for effective drainage. The key is to use chunky, inorganic materials that promote water flow and do not decompose.
Incorporating art and style into your home-and-garden decor, Jo Lambell suggests personalizing your living room with unique plants like prayer plants and palms from Beards & Daisies. For a harmonious interior design, use color to complement your green companions, creating a lifestyle that seamlessly blends greenery with contemporary furnishings.
But garden enthusiasts shouldn't ignore their outdoor spaces either. In the art of growing, incorporating the principles of gardening into your lifestyle benefits the environment and beautifies your exterior. Jo's advice on sustainable practices includes composting kitchen waste to enrich your soil, fostering a living connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
In pursuit of a verdant lifestyle, Jo Lambell, the plant whisperer, encourages experimenting with diverse flora. By caring for your houseplants and gardens with attention and consistency, you'll deepen your understanding of nature and increase your love for living things. housesplants, gardening, interior design, kitchen, Living Room, color, lifestyle, home-and-garden, art, gardening, compost, Outdoor space.
