Help Your Houseplants

The truth is, some people are not natural green thumbs. However, a plant in your home does not have to be placed on an endangered list. Tending houseplants is an acquirable skill!

A plant needs sunlight, water and a little love to stay happy and healthy. Most plants come with instructions that provide the species, amount of sun and water needed and blooming season. With a little effort, helping your houseplants will become second nature, and when you glance at your hand, you may just find a green thumb. Placement and Watering Place your plants where they will get the premium amount of sunlight for their species. Plants that love bathing in sun belong on your southern windows. Plants that prefer partial sunlight belong on your eastern or western facing windows. If you are prone to forgetting about watering, then set a notification on your smart phone or write a note for yourself in your calendar or weekly planner. There's an App For That Would you believe there's an app on Android and iOS for keeping your plants alive? Check out SunSeeker in the Apple App Store or Sun Survey for Android. These apps help you find the ideal placement for your plant's daily sunlight needs. Koubachi, found in the Apple store, tracks your plants and sends you notifications for watering. Clean Your Plants This is the love and tender care part of helping your houseplants. Plants collect dust and mites over time, so wiping their leaves and spraying them with solution is in the best interests of you and your plants. You can make a non-toxic plant cleaner with common household items. Mix a tablespoon of liquid dish soap, a tablespoon of antiseptic mouthwash, a teaspoon of instant tea granules, a teaspoon of ammonia and a quart of warm water together. Use a mist sprayer to liberally spread on your plants. Wipe leaves free of excess solution, and your plants will thank you for the love.