Hello Sprouts, it's been a while! I thought it was probably about time I wrote a little something else for my blog and i've taken inspirations from an ongoing question I get asked a lot on my travels and social media platforms.
What is it I hear you cry! Well here you are, "What's your number one piece of advice for plant success!" and my response is usually the same. "Plants are like people, we have needs, not all the same either. Meet the needs, magic happens. Don't? they will limp along to the compost heap, never to return." (this is when the eye roll usually happens, because my reply makes it sound hard to keep houseplants and perhaps isn't as helpful as you'd have liked!)
So let me, for one time only! give you just one (ok maybe 2) bits of crucial advice for keeping your green beauties thriving!
LIGHTING- I don't care what anyone says, this is for me the number one factor for success! Getting plants for the space you have and the light it offers is integral to a healthy plant and one that will see the year out. I don't know how many times people have said to me, "I have this catus on my shelf opposite the window and it's got long and leggy and has gone mushy!" NOOOOOOOOOOOO or " My Parlour palm has brown edges and really pale, yellow leaves but i've got it in my hot conservatory and I don't understand where i'm going wrong!" waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Learn about your plants lighting needs specifically before placing it or better yet buy for the space you'd like one.
Things for shade that work well are Ferns, Dracaena, Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, Devils ivy or Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Wanting something for a bright spot but that wouldn't get full sun? Why not go for a Pilea peperomioides, some type of Ficus or Calathea, maybe a philodendron or monstera too?
The main lighting spot people struggle with though is full sun. There really isn't as much choice when it comes to putting plants in south facing windows, especially behind glass in summer! Some of my very favorite suggestions besides the obvious like Cacti and succulents are things like String of pearls with their beautiful cascading foliage. The Minty colours of the Curio Mount Everest or the quirky features of lithops (living stones) All these require very little watering too and hardly any at all in Winter.
Yucca's and Bird of Paradise plants also do very well in full sun spots if acclimatized correctly along with carnivorous plants such as Venus Fly traps or Pitcher plants (monkey jars) However you better be good with your watering schedule with these as they are bog plants and need consistent moist soil with rain water only, as they are very sensitive to salts and minerals in tap water.
So there you have it, Lighting is my number one top tip. Get it right and you're onto a winner! Also master your watering needs for each plant for prolonged success, oh and seasonal changes such as adding feed in spring and summer, cleaning leaves and moving in winter to give more light and protect from cold, oh and pest checking, repotting, soil replacement and humidity needs and you'll be just fine!
Don't let all that put you off though, there is a plant or plants for everyone, every space and every skill level, and someone like me who is always willing to offer advice and suggestions. Please don't hesitate to contact me any time and let me get you started or secure in your plant keeping journey for prolonged success and botanical jungle vibes all year round!
Peace out Sprout! (enjoy my image of some full sun beauties, all available online now)