In honor of Earth Day, becoming a plant mom was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Part of the reason I say this is because they are a healthy habit to have and give you comfort in so many ways. The term plant mom is relevant because plants are exactly like children. You can buy them when they’re small and provide them with care and necessities, and before you know it, they’ve grown.
It’s a great process to witness and be a part of. It’s also okay to be hesitant about becoming a plant mom, but don’t let that discourage you. Being a plant mom can be fun with time and basic knowledge. Let this be a guide to your plant mom journey and provide you with tips to help you along the way.
- Don’t Over Water
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Your plants will speak to you. Not actually, but they will tell you what they need when they need it. A lot of people don’t realize that more plants die from overwatering than they do from being dried out. It’s good to let your plants dry out and even droop a little; this lets them show you that they’re ready for more water.
Don’t be fooled by the top layer of the soil showing signs of being dry; often, the bottom of the soil will still be wet and, if overwatered, can cause root rotting. The best tool for checking the soil’s moisture is to buy a moisture meter. I personally use my finger to check which isn’t the best method, but let’s just sound professional for a minute.
- Start Easy
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I’m not going to tell you to go and buy a succulent to start off because they’re easier to deal with. Even though they don’t require too much maintenance, I’ve personally never owned one. I heard that succulents are a good starter plant because its harder to mess up, and they allow you to forgive yourself if you do.
I would personally recommend getting a heartleaf philodendron due to how they’re very low-maintenance and only require the basic plant necessities while also growing very quickly. You can see new growth within a week if taken care of.
The next low-maintenance plant I would recommend is a pothos as your first plant. Pothos is the most well-known of the indoor plants, and they’re also fast growing with only basic necessities needed. It’s best to pick your starter plant wisely but also know that it’s okay to kill plants throughout your journey; plants will come and go.
- Low Light Doesn’t Mean No Light
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Often when you buy plants, they include directions on how to care for them. But when they don’t, it’s extremely important to research how to care for them. Each plant requires a different type of care and light preference. When a plant says they need low light, people mistake that for no light. Direct light can harm a lot of plants, but indirect light will be your best friend.
Always provide a light source for your plants, and if you don’t have any vacant window light, Amazon has great grow lights for your plants. I’ve noticed my plants have been doing a lot better under led grow lights, so I would highly recommend them. The best takeaway from this is to provide a good environment and light for your plant based on their preferences.