Growing plants is a learned talent, whether it’s outside in a landscaped garden, vegetable plantings in a farmer’s field, or container or potted plants grown either inside or on a patio or porch. Ensuring a plant thrives in any of these conditions can prove complex in determining adequate soil, an appropriate level of water, placement of the pot when using containers, if there’s a need for fertilizers or plant food, and when.

The expectation with potted plants delivered to your home from reputable companies is these would come with complete instructions for care. In some cases, like with the Planted Pot official site, you can most certainly receive guidelines on caring for the varied foliage on the website. Gardeners offer many blogs online to share some tips and tricks from which you can gain much knowledge also. 

If you’re just starting, it’s wise to stick with lower maintenance options, easy to grow, that can sort of care for themselves on a certain level. Succulents are ideal for a newbie. You’ll find plenty of varieties. They’re simply an awesome choice – even if you’re not just starting. I’m personally still on the cacti species myself. Let’s dive into some tips and tricks.

Helpful Hints on Potted Plants

To find the ideal plants for you doesn’t have to be challenging. There are varieties that kind of help you with their care since they’re virtually maintenance-free – drumroll for the cactus and the lovely succulents. 

These each require minimal water, making them a good choice for people who might leave home for business or have reason to travel occasionally. They also take varied forms with an array of shapes, sizes, color families. 

You can get bigger cacti, but succulents tend to be relatively small. Most people have numerous of these types and sometimes mix and match between the cactus and the succulents. 

These are a great way to break into potted planting. Once you feel comfortable, you can try something that requires a bit more maintenance. Learn some container gardening facts at https://www.thespruce.com/ten-container-garden-tips-for-beginners-847854/. Some tips and tricks that might help as you grow your skills as a new gardener include:

• Outside: If you’re in a tropical state or the summers are sweltering, you might want to assess your specific area before trying this. But under pretty typical conditions, it’s a good idea to take potted plants outside in the spring and summertime to grow while sitting in the shaded areas.

It’s incredible the amount of growth they experience by being in the outdoor space.

• Meter:  As someone just starting with potted plants, working with low-maintenance options that don’t require much water is best. It can be challenging to prevent overwatering as someone new to working with foliage. When you move on to varieties requiring more water, there are tools to help with the process.

A “moisture meter” helps you figure out the amount of water that’s necessary for that specific plant. Over time you’ll learn what’s an appropriate level without giving it too much.

• Insecticide: No one wants to have to use an insecticide inside the house. A “systemic” option is sprinkled onto the soil’s surface and absorbs into the foliage to aid in keeping away the bugs. Prevention is key. It avoids the need to use an unhealthy spray in the household. 
• Fertilize: Fertilizing plants should take place in the spring or the summertime. You want to avoid doing so in the winter months when plants are relatively dormant. 
• Placement: When placing the plant in your house, you need to ensure that it’s in a window that receives warmth but not too much heat. A northern-facing window is ideal but if you don’t have this fortune, use an option with the least amount of “hot” heat coming in on the plant.

The pot will need to turn a half turn at least once each week to encourage even growth. Without doing so, you’ll find foliage that leans to one side. That’s because it is working its way towards the light of the window. If you visit someone with lopsided plants, pass on this hint.

• Brown Spots: It’s unavoidable to get an occasional brown spot or discoloration on some of the leaves. You’ll want to clean up your plants by snipping these away, which won’t harm the foliage in any way. 

It’s essential to cut according to the natural shape instead of going against the form. You won’t hurt the plant by cutting incorrectly, but it won’t appear natural or look good, for that matter. Visit here for care tips.

Having foliage around the interior of the home is beneficial for the overall mood. Not only that, but plants can help to keep the indoor air clean and decrease noise if that’s an issue you’re having in the household. It’s also good for reducing levels of stress in the workplace.

Final Thought

No one has to have a gardening degree to develop a potted plant “garden” in their household. It’s enjoyable, peaceful for the atmosphere, decreases anxiety, and helps with air quality regardless of which options you choose. 

That means you can go for the low maintenance, requiring little water like the succulents or, my personal favorite, the cacti to start. Or you can take a risk and start with something challenging using all your resources to ensure its success. 

But if you see the plant is becoming sick, try to take it to a nursery or at least a garden center so they can help to bring it back to health. Plants are life too, and we want to give them every chance possible to thrive.