Do you have living plants indoors? How do you not kill them?

Question

Each and everytime I try to grow a plant indoors I some how end up killing it. I water them what else do I have to do? I can grow a beautiful garden outdoors, just nothing inside. Whats the deal?

Answer 1

I have living plants indoors.
Indoor plants are widely used in homes and commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants and shopping malls. They help us stay in touch with nature and, in a sense, "bring the outside indoors."

CLEANING
Indoor plants may collect dust or greasy films that dull their appearance, making them less attractive. Clean leaves are favorable to healthy growth. Also, cleaning helps control insects and enhances the plants’ attractive-ness. Products that clean and shine leaves are generally not recommended because the waxy coating residue may interfere with air exchange. Never use these products on plants that have hairy leaves, such as African violets.

The best way to clean leaves that are not hairy is to dampen a soft cloth with water and wipe the lower and upper surfaces of each leaf. An alternative is to place the entire plant outdoors or in the shower to rinse it off. Plants with hairy leaves should not be dusted with a wet cloth but with a soft cosmetic brush. A pressure sprayer may be employed.

FERTILIZING
All plants require certain essential elements for proper growth. Indoor plants, in low light conditions of the interior environment, have reduced fertilizer requirements.

Observation will guide you in determining a plant’s fertilizer needs. As a rule, applications should be more frequent when the plants are in their growth stage(s). This is usually in the spring and summer when sunlight intensities increase and the days are warmer and longer. During the short days of winter, many indoor plants that receive little or no artificial light enter a "resting stage." If plants go into a winter rest period, do not give them fertilizer.

Frequency of fertilizer application varies somewhat with the vigor of growth and age of each plant. Rapid, new growth is often undesirable, as plants may outgrow their locations. As a rule, fertilizer applications should be more frequent when the plants are growing. Fertilize at the recommended label rate every two or three months, or dilute the fertilizer to about one-tenth the recommended rate and use this solution at every watering during the growing season. An alternative to these methods is to fertilize every seventh watering.

A complete fertilizer (one that contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) is an excellent choice for indoor gardens. Choose a balanced fertilizer for foliage plants, such as 20-20-20, and one that is higher in phosphorous for flowering plants, such as 15-30-15. These numbers represent the percents by weight of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer.

Fertilizers are available for indoor plants in liquid form, water-soluble granules and slow-release forms (granules, stick or tablets). Water-soluble fertilizers are often preferred because dilute solutions reduce the potential for fertilizer burn.

Soils that have a white film on the surface or pots with a white crust on the rim or drainage hole may indicate that the plant is being overfertilized and/or possibly overwatered. Salt buildup in the soil can lead to root damage, causing symptoms such as reduced growth, brown leaf tips, dropping of lower leaves and wilting of the plant.

The most effective way to prevent soluble salt injury is to prevent the salts from building up. Water correctly by watering the soil thoroughly and allowing the excess to flow out of the drain holes into a tray which is emptied.

INDOOR CONTAINERS
Many types of containers can be used for growing plants. Most pots with bottom drainage holes are made of plastic, ceramic or clay, whereas decorative containers without drainage holes may be made of clay, ceramic, plastic, wood, copper, brass and various other materials.

It is important to choose the correct size container for the plant. Containers too small or too large present an unbalanced appearance. An appropriate container should provide room for soil and roots, allow sufficient headroom for proper watering, and be attractive without competing with the plant.

Two methods for potting indoor plants are: (1) planting directly in the container and (2) placing a potted plant in another, more decorative container ("double-potting"). When plants are potted directly in the container, the container should have a drainage hole and a tray to catch the excess water. If the pot does not have a drainage hole, place a layer of coarse gravel in the bottom to allow a space for excess water (it is important not to saturate soil in such containers). The "double-potting" technique can be used with decorative containers with or without drainage holes. The smaller, interior pot should have a drainage hole. If the decorative pot does not have a drainage hole, place a layer of gravel in this pot, and place the potted plant on the gravel layer. No gravel layer is necessary if the decorative pot has a drainage hole. Be sure to place a tray beneath the pot to catch the excess water. Never place pots directly in contact with the carpet, floor or furniture as moisture can damage its surroundings.

Clay pots are porous and allow air movement through the sides of the pot. This allows the soil to dry and oxygen to reach the roots. Nonporous containers prevent water from evaporating through the sides, thus, plants require less frequent watering than those in clay pots.

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
The environment in our homes dictates which plants will grow vigorously and which will suffer. The most important environmental factor in growing plants indoors is adequate light.

Light provides the energy source needed for plants to manufacture food. The amount of light is commonly measured in foot-candles (ft-c). The interior of a well-lighted home is often less than 100 ft-c, while outdoor light intensity on a clear sunny day may exceed 10,000 ft-c. Plants differ greatly in their light intensity requirements (see table). Indoor plants are often classified by the amount of light necessary for growth.
With the exception of homes with a sunroom or greenhouse, few homes have areas with sufficient light levels to grow plants that require very high light (hibiscus, wax begonia, geranium). High light plants (weeping fig, English ivy, schefflera) can usually be grown well near windows or glass doors with western or southern exposures. Medium light plants (African violet, Boston fern, dumb cane) do well if placed within several feet of these light sources or in eastern exposures. Low light plants (peace lily, heart-leaf philodendron, cast-iron plant) can be placed several feet away from eastern exposures or in northern exposures. The amount of light at any given location will vary according to time of year (angle of the sun, day length), outdoor tree shading, window curtains and wall color (light reflection), as well as the location itself. Inexpensive light meters are available.

Artificial lighting is widely used to supplement or replace natural light. Many indoor plants grow well under artificial light provided by fluorescent lamps or special incandescent lights. A large variety of fluorescent lamps are available. Generally, ordinary incandescent lamps are not recommended for plants, as plants placed under them tend to stretch or become "leggy." It is possible to make up for lack of sufficient light by increasing the time or duration that the plant is exposed to light. Sixteen hours of light and eight hours of darkness are satisfactory for most plants. Use an electric timer to ensure the correct cycle each day.

While lack of sufficient light results in poor plant growth, too much light can also be harmful. Shade plants cannot tolerate excessively high light levels. When a plant receives too much direct light the leaves bleach or scald, sometimes dying. This often happens after moving a plant outdoors in direct light. Any changes in light intensity should be gradual.

Answer 2

I have eight indoor plants, and at first, I too killed them a lot. I learned that in the summer, most plants like to be watered once every 1-2 weeks, and in the winter, they like to go 4-6 weeks between watering. Depending on your plant, some need lots of sunlight through out the day, and some need little, here is where it gets tricky, some need lots of sunlight, but not directly because the magnification of light due to the glass in your window can burn them. My miniature rose needs about 10 hours of sun a day, but I have to put him in the window, on the part of the ledge that doesn't get direct sunlight, or else he will die, which half of him did this summer when I moved him over a couple of inches to get something and forgot to put him back. Also, if you use fertilizer, try to dilute it twice as much as is recommended and only use it once a month in the water you use to water the plants, you can up the time you use it to 2-4 times a month during the summer, but go with 2 and see how well it does. Over fertilizing can create problems too. And lastly... look for pests, also make sure you're using spring water and not town water, and rotate them weekly a quarter of a turn for over all balanced growth. :) PS I ALWAYS do this to all my plants, put an inch of stone pebbles in the bottom to allow drainage of water. I also use clay pots on plants that needs their soil a bit more dry than others.

Answer 3

You garden so you must already know that all plants have different likes and dislikes, this goes for indoor plants as well.

Besides watering you need to feed your plants, I suggest miracle grow because this works for any plants, if you have fish you can water your houseplant when you clean the aquarium, the wast water is filled with nutrients your plants will love.

Certain plants like littel water ex: Cactus, Aloe Vera, African Violets, all these like to have a dry spell before watering, I used to kill my African violets by overwatering.

Spider plants are the easiest to grow indoors as are creepy charlies.

Answer 4

You may be over-watering your indoor garden. If the leaves are turning yellow and the soil is soggy - definitely over watering. Some plants need a lot of sun light, others do not. I have beautiful vines with only indirect light. Meaning that they do not sit directly in front of the window. Watch your watering habits. Good Luck

Answer 5

My indoor plants stay outside all summer, most of spring and most of fall....After I bring my plants indoors I generally water them about 8 oz every other day. If they start turning brown I'll give 8oz one day and then 4oz the next. On sunny days that get up to at least 40degrees I will take them outside for at least an hour.

Plants are a lot like people. They like being outside.

Answer 6

Make sure to choose a plant that does well with low light (if your house is not well lit). Also are you using different water to water the inside plants opposed to the outside ones? Your tap water would have too much chlorine or other minerals that are harming the plant. I have a Mother-in-Law's tongue and it is practically impossible to kill that plant.

Answer 7

I m goin on vacation for 9 days and don t want to come home to dead plants. These are indoor plants.

Answer 8

You could try spritzing the affected area with an amonia and water (1 part amonia to 3 parts water) after the last shower of the day. If it's true that slugs are active at night, this once a day treatment would be worth a try. Just a light misting. Be careful to keep amonia away from seams and calking, because it does tend to "undo" them.

Answer 9

knowledge is the key.what,ware,and how much?you need to know the names ,names tell me how to care for it,well lit areas are best for all plants,in a window or by a light .houseplants love (florescent lights)the biggest key to houseplants,is in the watering:if its wet when you go to water DON,T WATER, don't let it sit in water '. on the other side, don't let them get bone dry .meaning :don't let it dry away from grow pot.you can see the soil separate from the grow pot Mass-canes,Pothoes, are hardy plants.for beginners! give them a try.or you can give us a name, of what you would like to grow and we will be glad to help.

sincerely the plantlady

Answer 10

Make sure they have a significant source of light. Believe it or not, flourescent lighting is really good for plants! Also, try researching online the name of the plant. It should tell you that plants particular needs. Also, remember not to overwater!

Answer 11

I always kill my plants too, I think from too much water. Maybe just water it once a week, and make sure it gets plenty of sunlight.