How To Care For Indoor Plants

Indoor plants have become a huge part of home decor over recent years, adding instant life, colour and style to a room. Particularly for those in flats or homes without a garden, an indoor plant is a great way to bring a touch of the outdoors into your home.

Whether you're looking for an indoor plant to brighten up your space, or you're wondering how to care for your existing house plants, you've come to the right place. Here at Gardeners Dream, we're talking all things indoor plants. From what type of plant to buy through to how to re-pot them, here is everything you need to know in order to care for your indoor plants.

What type of indoor plant should I get?

The best type of indoor plant for you will depend completely on your own situation. The best plant for a large home, for example, may differ from the best plant for a small flat. Consider your home, the space available and the level of care you can commit to when choosing your plant.

If you're trying to decide which indoor plant to buy, here are some of our top choices:

The best plant for low-light spaces

The Cutlass Evergreen, also known as the Chinese Evergreen, is perfect if your home is lacking a lot of natural light. This plant grows best in indirect sunlight, and can even survive off artificial light alone!

The best statement indoor plant

If you're looking for a plant to really act as a focal point in your home, the Bonsai tree is perfect. The

is unique and small enough to fit into a smaller home or apartment. However, be aware that this beautiful plant needs plenty of attention, with watering every 1 to 2 days to keep it looking at its best.

The best low-maintenance plant

If you're looking for low maintenance, look no further than a cactus.

are a great choice if you're constantly on the go, as they require very little maintenance - a watering once a week as they're growing is more than enough!

How much light do indoor plants need?

While it can vary according to type, most plants need some form of light in order to thrive. As a general rule, most indoor plants are best placed in a bright location with indirect sunlight, for example within 5 feet of a window that receives several hours of sunlight a day.

You should monitor your plant and gauge whether it is getting too much or too little sunlight. If growth becomes spindly or new leaves are smaller than existing ones, your plant is not getting enough light and should be moved to a sunnier location. If leaves begin to look faded or if you see dry, brown patches on leaves, then your plant is getting too much light and should be moved to a more shaded area.

How often do water indoor plants

Again, if you're wondering how often you need to water your house plants, the answer is - it depends! There are so many different house plants to choose from that the amount of watering depends completely on the type you chose and your environment. Double-check the care advice for your specific plant while also bearing in mind:

• • Temperature

    . If your house tends to be fairly warm, your plants are likely to dry out more quickly and require watering more regularly.

  • Sun

    . Plants sat directly in sunlight will dry out more quickly.

  • The size and type of pot.

    Plants in smaller pots or pots created from absorbent materials, such as clay, will also dry out faster and may require more regular watering.

How often should you water a cactus?

Cacti are highly resilient plants and can survive with minimal water. However, in order to ensure your cactus remains healthy and thrives, you should have a watering routine in place.

As your cactus is growing, you should be sure to water it at least once a week. The soil should be fully soaked as you water, to the point where water runs from the drainage holes of your pot.

Once your plant is grown, it will begin to enter a rest period during cooler seasons. During this time you can vastly reduce your cacti maintenance, only watering as and when the plant looks like it needs it.

How to pot indoor plants

If you take good care of your plant, there will come a point where it becomes too big for its existing pot. When this happens, you will need to re-pot your plant to give it the space it needs to grow further.

• • You should aim to re-pot your plants at least once a year. Do this in spring where possible, before the plant's most vigorous growth period.

• • Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the existing pot. Do not make the mistake of choosing an overly large pot to save you time repotting next season - if your pot is too big, the soil will sit wet for days before it is used by the plant, leading to root rot and other issues.

  • Take extreme care with the root system of your plant when repotting. Firm the soil around the root ball (without compacting it) before you remove the plant from its existing pot.

• • Water your plant thoroughly once it is in its new pot.

If you're looking for a house plant to transform your home, look no further than the

selection at Gardeners Dream. From low-maintenance

to stunning leafy options, you're sure to discover the perfect option to inject life and colour into any room.