Top 10 Plant Care Mistakes to Avoid
Discover the top 10 common plant care mistakes and learn how to keep your indoor garden thriving with this straightforward guide. Perfect for beginners looking for easy-to-understand, friendly advice on taking care of their plants effectively.
So you've just started your plant care journey and are ready to take care of all kinds of houseplants? Great! Before you get started, it's a great idea to get to know some of the common mistakes plant owners make that can harm their plants. When you're aware of these mistakes, you'll know exactly what not to do and hopefully, this sets you up for success in your plant care journey!
In this guide, we'll look at the 10 most common plant care mistakes and what to do if you've accidentally made one of them. These are the common mistakes we'll look at:
Follow along as I tell you about the common mistakes I've made and what I've seen other plant owners make when taking care of their plants.
Mistake 1: Overwatering
Taking care of your plants may seem straightforward. You water them and they grow. But it's very easy to give them a little too much. And when it comes to water, too much of it is a big problem. Most houseplants are very sensitive to overwatering.
They won't die if you overwater it once, but when you do that a few too many times, it'll start to show signs of a problem. Overwatering can suffocate the plant's roots by cutting them off from oxygen.
To prevent this, focus on observing your plants. Are the leaves drooping persistently? Is the soil constantly soggy? These are signs that they might be drowning, albeit very slowly. The key is not to stick to a strict watering routine but to water them when they need it.
Most plants prefer the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out before being watered again. Before you water your plant, make sure to check if the top of the soil is dry. If not, wait a few days before watering again. You can also use a moisture meter to help determine when your plant needs water.
If you need help with an overwatered plant, have a look at How to rescue a plant from overwatering.
Mistake 2: Underwatering
When it comes to watering plants, there's a fine line between too much and too little. Overwatering your plants can be as bad as leaving them thirsty.
To prevent underwatering your plants, make it a habit to check the soil moisture regularly. Are the top layers dry to the touch? Consider watering your plant. Some plants will appreciate more frequent watering, others less so. Research the specific needs of your specific plants to make sure they get the amount of water they need to be happy.
However, be careful not to overcompensate for underwatering by overwatering. Finding the right balance is key.
Mistake 3: Lack of Light
Sunlight is, after watering, the most important thing to keeping your plant healthy. Without it, they can't make the food (through photosynthesis) they need to survive, let alone thrive. Yet, the common misconception is to believe that any old corner will do, simply because it's all you have got.
Place your plants in near windows where they receive plenty of bright indirect levels of light for their species. Full-spectrum light is ideal, but plants can adapt to different light levels. If you see them stretching for the nearest sunny spot or if their leaves begin to yellow, it's a sign they need more light. Luckily, the fix is as simple as moving them to a brighter spot.
If you don't get enough natural light in your home, you can also use grow lamps to help your plant get enough sunlight.
Mistake 4: Improper Potting
The wrong pot can be a difficult place for your plant to thrive, a scenario we want to avoid at all costs. A pot that is too small restricts the root's growth and forces the plant into a cycle of stress and stunted progress. On the other hand, a pot that is too large can lead to overwatering problems, as the soil takes too long to dry out. This could lead to root rot or other fungal infections.
Choose a pot that allows for 1-2 inches of space around the root ball and one that has a drainage hole to remove any excess water from the pot.
As your plant grows larger over time, so should their pots. Repotting is not just great for giving your plant more space, it's also a great time to refresh the soil and check root health. Luckily you don't have to repot too often. Usually, once every 1-2 years is enough.
When you're repotting your plant, make sure the new pot is only 1-2 sizes larger than the current pot. This way your plant has space to grow but won't be at risk of overwatering.
Mistake 5: Not Pruning
Pruning is not just about making your plant look good. It's about improving your plant's health and giving it a boost to grow new leaves.
When new growth happens, old leaves that receive little light can become a burden, taking away from the plant's energy. Your plant will naturally start to drop these leaves, so make sure to not panic when this happens. This is a normal lifecycle of your plant. Along with these older leaves, you can remove any yellow or browned leaves, to improve air circulation and redirect nutrients to where they're needed most.
Pruning also prevents overcrowding, which can lead to pests and diseases. Use sharp, clean scissors or shears to make precise cuts, and always trim at a 45-degree angle to promote rapid healing.
Mistake 6: Forgetting to fertilize
Plants, like all living things, need a balanced diet to stay healthy in the long term. Forgetting to fertilize can result in stunted growth and yellowing leaves. However, not all plants need to be fertilized as often as others. So before you go around and fertilize all of your plants, make sure to do a little research on how often to fertilize your plants and if you need a specific blend of nutrients (NPK).
Always fertilize during the growing season, generally from spring to early fall. Fertilizer is not a one-size-fits-all, so make sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer label, and remember, moderation is key. Over-fertilizing can be just as harmful as not fertilizing at all.
When you fertilize your plant too often, it can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil, which can cause roots to burn. Make sure to flush your plants regularly by watering deeply until water drains out the bottom of the pot. This will help prevent salt buildup and keep your plant healthy and happy.
Mistake 7: Poor humidity management
The right humidity levels can be the secret to keeping your plants looking healthy. Homes, especially those with air conditioning or central heating, often make the air drier than your tropical plants might like.
Humidity is especially important during the winter months when indoor air is at its driest. Your central heating will be turned on for most of the day, drying out the air in your house.
Daily misting can help, as can grouping plants or placing a tray of water near your plants. For those humidity-loving plants like Ferns, bathrooms, and kitchens can be an ideal location, as they're naturally more humid than other places in your house.
Especially beginning plant owners often overlook the indoor humidity, which can lead to brown leaf tips and edges. It's very easy to mistake a room that's too dry for a plant that should be watered more often. So be careful with watering and make sure to check if the soil is dry to rule out this is a watering issue.
Mistake 8: Using the wrong soil mix
Soil seems like one of the easiest parts of plant care. Get a bag, add it to a pot, add your plant, and you're done! Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Just as each plant species has its preferences for light and water, the soil they grow in makes a huge difference in how well they do. A cactus, for example, would very quickly die in the same peat-heavy soil in which an Azalea would thrive in.
Research and select a soil mix for the type of plants you'd like to grow. This might include specialized mixtures for succulents, orchids, or your typical houseplant. The right soil will improve drainage, and aeration, and hold as much moisture as the plant needs to stay healthy.
If you have a plant that loves dry soil, you can mix in things like perlite and coarse sand. If you have a moisture-loving plant, consider adding sphagnum moss or vermiculite. These mixtures will help to hold as much water or drain as much as your plant likes, so it's not over or under-watered.
Mistake 9: Ignoring pests
Pests have a huge impact on your plant's health. They'll eat your plant's leaves and stems until your plant looks terrible and is in bad shape. Common houseplant pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies can quickly cause an infestation and destroy a healthy plant.
The best thing you can do to prevent this is to regularly inspect your plant. Look under those leaves for any insects and take care of them if you find any. Some great ways to treat pests include wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or even showering the plant with insecticidal soap. If you act quickly, you can very easily remove the pest.
If you spot any pests during an inspection, make sure to isolate that plant from the rest of your collection right away to prevent it from spreading to other plants.
Mistake 10: Ignoring plant hygiene
And last but not least, ignoring plant hygiene. Just like you'd dust and clean your home, plants can also use some cleaning every once in a while. Dust on your plant's leaves can block the light from reaching the leaf's surface and a layer of dust on moist soil is an invitation for all kinds of diseases.
You can help your plant by cleaning its leaves gently with water, a damp cloth, and mild soap on occasion to make sure that the leaf stays clean and ready for sunlight. Not only does this keep pests away, but it also makes your plant look shiny and healthy.
An added benefit of using a mild soap is that you can kill several pests with it at the same time as cleaning your plant.
Conclusion
Taking care of plants may seem difficult at first, but here's the simple truth: it's all about understanding their needs. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, especially when they're just starting. But by learning and adapting, anyone can become a confident plant parent.
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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