Maintenance Guidelines
- Find a bright indoor spot, preferably next to a window or balcony.
- Make sure the plant is not in direct sunlight all day as this may burn the leaves.
- Indirect sunlight is best for indoor plants, this can be achieved using light curtains to reduce sunlight or moving the plant away from the direct sunlight.
- Try not to place your plant in a direct flow of wind from a window or the air-conditioning unit.
- Water your plants only when the soil is starting to dry out. This can be tested by placing your finger in the soil or using a moisture tester. If your soil appears moist or I darker in color then this also indicates that it does not need watering.
- If you are unable to confirm that the soil is drying out, the watering schedule below can act as a guideline. You cannot rely on the list completely as different curtain, wind patterns and seasons can alter the watering schedule
Low sun Pot 9 – ½ a cup of water once every 10 days
Low sun Pot 14 – ½ a cup of water once a week
Low sun Pot 20 – 1 cup of water once a week
Low sun Pot 30 – 2 cups of water once a week
Moderate sun Pot 9 – ½ a cup of water once every 10 days
Moderate sun Pot 14 – ½ a cup of water once a week
Moderate sun Pot 20 – 2 cups of water once a week
Moderate sun Pot 30 – 3 cups of water once a week
High sun Pot 9 – ½ a cup of water once a week
High sun Pot 14 – 1 a cup of water once a week
High sun Pot 20 – 2 cups of water once a week
High sun Pot 30 – 4 cups of water once a week
- Another rule of thumb for watering your plants is changing your watering routine with the change of seasons. Plants needs less water during the cold winter seasons and more water during the hot dry seasons.
- Most indoor plants suffer from overwatering, and this may lead to their unfortunate end.
- Misting is a good way to boost humidity for indoor plants, preferably in the morning to allow the water to dry. Misting is when you spray the plants leaves with water.
- Do not mist your plant leaves too much, unless there is a wind current in your house, misting leaves too much can lead to fungus issues.
- High humid areas, like bathrooms, are excellent areas for plants to grow.
- Every once in a while, wipe the dust off the leaves to help open up the pores and give your plant a nice shiny look.
- Limit fertilizing to seasons when your plant is actively growing. This is usually around early April to late September.
- When choosing a location for an outdoor plant, first check if it’s a full sun or a semi-shade plant.
- Full sun plants will tolerate direct sunlight, while semi-shade plants will need some shade throughout the day.
- Another thing to consider is whether your plant can tolerate high winds, this can help you decide to place your plant in a high wind current area or in front of a wall where wind is limited.
- Water your plants regularly, in the early morning or in the afternoon when the weather is cooler. Watering in the heat under direct sun can negatively affect the roots of your plants.
- Another rule of thumb for watering your plants is changing your watering routine with the change of seasons. Plants needs less water during the cold winter seasons and more water during the hot dry seasons.
- Make sure there is good drainage in your pots, check to see if there are holes at the bottom of your pot and that water runs smoothly after watering. This ensures you don’t overwater your plants, leading to rotted roots.
- Clean your leaves regularly by misting or by spraying them with a hose. For bigger leaves, you can wipe off the excess water, this helps with removing dust from the leaves and opening up the leaf’s pores. Misting is when you lightly spray the plants leaves with water.
- Limit fertilizing to seasons when your plant is actively growing. This is usually around early spring and late summer.