13 Ways To Prevent Your Indoor Plants From Dying

Jan 03, 2019 by apost team

You know who you are. You bought a new houseplant last week and diligently watered it every day. Or was it every other day? Wait, was it this week? You don't mean to do it, but life gets in the way and in the meantime that beautiful plant you bought, well, dies. And just like that, your green thumb turns black.

While keeping a plant alive can seem like an impossible task, we have listed out 13 tips to help you succeed and even create a thriving little greenhouse in your very own apartment.

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This one may seem like a bit of obvious advice, but seriously, look for plants that thrive on indirect sunlight and can go days without being watered. Because these plants are easy to care for, they will thrive under your watch and as an added bonus, will filter and purify the air in your home at the same time.

In this instance, size does matter. The best pots for indoor plants are typically between 6 and 18 inches, depending on how large your plant is.

In addition, plants that need to be watered more often should be housed in plastic to help the moisture remain in the soil. The porous properties found in clay pots make them best suited for those who tend to overwater their plants. For those who can truly label themselves as "forgetful gardeners" the self-watering pot may be a good investment - just remember, this pot may take away some of the needed watering sessions but you will still need to water your plants!

Choose a method that works best for you, be it writing it on a calendar or setting an alarm on your phone. Find several days throughout the week and designate them as your "water the plants" days. Once you get in a routine it will make it easier to remember to do it.

These handy little devices come in a variety of classic and adorable shapes. Simply fill it with water, place it in the soil and let it do the work for you while you kick back and binge-watch on the latest season of Black Mirror. This is also a wonderful gift for those who like to travel, or simply can not remember where the watering can is. You know who you are. No judging.

Just follow a few simple rules so you don't end up with an apartment that smells like a garbage dump, and things like coffee grinds and vegetable peels will quickly become plant food when mixed with the soil.

You heard right, dusty leaves can have new life with some soap, water, and a little help from mayonnaise. After spraying the leaves with a mixture of dish soap and lukewarm water, simply apply the mayo to each leaf with a wet cloth and wipe for a healthy shine.

One bad leaf could cause the entire plant to become sick. It's better to use a pair of sharp scissors and cut off the dead or ruined leaf before you lose the entire plant.

While holes in the leaves could indicate a pest problem easily remedied by spraying the plant with an insect killing soap, leaves that look faded may mean your plant is trying to tell you it needs more sunlight. Meanwhile, yellow leaves are getting too much water while dry and crunchy leaves require additional watering.

For those plants that need more sun, find a window that is facing the south. Your plant will thank you, especially during those dark and dreary winter months when the sun is in high demand and short supply.

A variety of artificial lights are currently on the market today, for those who live in areas where it may be cloudy more often, or in apartments that resemble a cave. Find the right one for your plants and watch them thrive.

Plants need regular rotation in order to receive equal amounts of sunshine hitting all sides. Or you could have a lopsided plant growing at an awkward angle trying to find the sun. Totally up to you.

One easy, and cheap, way to try your hand at gardening is to take some leftovers from your kitchen and bring them back to life in a simple little bowl.

In the end, some people just don't have green thumbs. If that is the case for you, clip some branches and get arranging! You'll always have something new to look at and the possibilities of where to house them are endless because they do not require soil or watering.

Are you trying to raise indoor plants but find it difficult? We hope, you found this article helpful. Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below and don't forget to send these tips to your friends and family as well.