Clever Hacks for the Lazy Indoor-Plant Lover
Love lush foliage at home but can't be bothered tending to them day in day out? We have all the shortcuts you need
Gorgeous, glossy houseplants add warmth and life to our living spaces, but keeping them looking as healthy as the day we bought them can be a challenge for many of us. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy plant hacks to help even the least green-thumbed of us keep our plants alive.
Be water wise
Over and under-watering are major hazards for houseplants. Make use of technology to keep your watering on track. Read your plants’ care labels (photographing before disposing of them is a great idea) and set reminders on your phone for watering day. Before watering perform the ‘finger test’ to determine whether the soil is moist or dry. Place your finger in the soil at the base of the plant and dig down two to three centimetres. If the soil feels moist, leave off watering and check again in a couple of days’ time.
Over and under-watering are major hazards for houseplants. Make use of technology to keep your watering on track. Read your plants’ care labels (photographing before disposing of them is a great idea) and set reminders on your phone for watering day. Before watering perform the ‘finger test’ to determine whether the soil is moist or dry. Place your finger in the soil at the base of the plant and dig down two to three centimetres. If the soil feels moist, leave off watering and check again in a couple of days’ time.
Look for colour clues
It’s possible to tell a plant’s health from its hue. Healthy plants should have glossy, green foliage. If you notice yellow leaves on your houseplants, this could be a sign they are not getting enough light. Brown leaves may indicate the plant is becoming sunburnt.
Note: Larger plants, such as the divine fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) seen here, are a big financial investment, so it is worth keeping a close eye on their condition.
It’s possible to tell a plant’s health from its hue. Healthy plants should have glossy, green foliage. If you notice yellow leaves on your houseplants, this could be a sign they are not getting enough light. Brown leaves may indicate the plant is becoming sunburnt.
Note: Larger plants, such as the divine fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) seen here, are a big financial investment, so it is worth keeping a close eye on their condition.
Add some ice
Placing plants at different levels, as in this kitchen, adds interest to an interior, but it can make watering a time-consuming and fiddly process. An easy hack is to place ice cubes at the base of hard-to-reach plants.
Ice cubes melt slowly, which is ideal for hanging plants and orchids, as it ensures their roots are well drained. However, never water plants directly with ice-cold water as this can send them into shock.
7 (other) ways to bring flora into your home
Placing plants at different levels, as in this kitchen, adds interest to an interior, but it can make watering a time-consuming and fiddly process. An easy hack is to place ice cubes at the base of hard-to-reach plants.
Ice cubes melt slowly, which is ideal for hanging plants and orchids, as it ensures their roots are well drained. However, never water plants directly with ice-cold water as this can send them into shock.
7 (other) ways to bring flora into your home
Check the air
Most houseplants thrive in rooms with higher humidity. Increase the moisture in low-humidity rooms by grouping plants together (they will benefit from each other) or try placing a damp sponge at the bottom of pots. Placing water-filled containers (such as vases with cut flowers) around the room will also help.
Most houseplants thrive in rooms with higher humidity. Increase the moisture in low-humidity rooms by grouping plants together (they will benefit from each other) or try placing a damp sponge at the bottom of pots. Placing water-filled containers (such as vases with cut flowers) around the room will also help.
Save your water
Tap water alone is not enough for thriving plants, especially in the growing months. Feed plants with liquid fertiliser (but don’t overdo it) or try treating them to your leftover veggie water. Don’t add salt though – you’ll both be better off without it!
If you want to take extra care of your plants, consider watering them with filtered water only, or set a vessel outside to collect rainwater, which is ideal.
11 hardy houseplants that thrive on neglect
Tap water alone is not enough for thriving plants, especially in the growing months. Feed plants with liquid fertiliser (but don’t overdo it) or try treating them to your leftover veggie water. Don’t add salt though – you’ll both be better off without it!
If you want to take extra care of your plants, consider watering them with filtered water only, or set a vessel outside to collect rainwater, which is ideal.
11 hardy houseplants that thrive on neglect
Let there be light
If you have a low-light room, choose plants with dark foliage that can tolerate darker conditions. Placing a mirror underneath pots is an easy hack, reflecting light upwards and back onto your houseplants. Mirrored trays are also a great option.
Tip: In very dark spots, locating plants beneath light sources can work. Use full-spectrum fluorescent light bulbs that mimic natural light. Faking it with realistic faux plants is a no-effort alternative for dark spaces.
If you have a low-light room, choose plants with dark foliage that can tolerate darker conditions. Placing a mirror underneath pots is an easy hack, reflecting light upwards and back onto your houseplants. Mirrored trays are also a great option.
Tip: In very dark spots, locating plants beneath light sources can work. Use full-spectrum fluorescent light bulbs that mimic natural light. Faking it with realistic faux plants is a no-effort alternative for dark spaces.
Keep them clean
When you’re dusting your house, it’s worth considering your houseplants too. Dust settles on leaves, making it impossible for plants to photosynthesise their food. Remove dust gently with a moist cloth, using your other hand to support each leaf as you go.
When you’re dusting your house, it’s worth considering your houseplants too. Dust settles on leaves, making it impossible for plants to photosynthesise their food. Remove dust gently with a moist cloth, using your other hand to support each leaf as you go.
Leave well enough alone
Finally, know when neglect is best. More houseplants die from over-watering than any other cause. If your plants are thriving, pat yourself on the back and take a seat – this Eames lounge chair will do just nicely.
Read more:
How to Live With Plants
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
Tell us:
Do you have any great houseplant hacks? Share them in the Comments or post photos of your thriving plants below.
Finally, know when neglect is best. More houseplants die from over-watering than any other cause. If your plants are thriving, pat yourself on the back and take a seat – this Eames lounge chair will do just nicely.
Read more:
How to Live With Plants
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
Tell us:
Do you have any great houseplant hacks? Share them in the Comments or post photos of your thriving plants below.
First up, it’s important to get the basics right: Choose varieties of plants that will do well in the light conditions unique to your home, carefully place houseplants where they are most likely to thrive, and make sure your plants have room for growth. Give new plants a couple of weeks to settle into their new home before considering re-potting.
Tip: Plants hate ‘wet feet’, so ensuring pots have good drainage is essential. Helpful hacks include placing pebbles at the bottom of pots and covering drainage holes with coffee filters. Filters will help keep the holes from clogging up, and protect your floor coverings when you move your plants around.
See spaces designed for plant lovers