Guide to Basic Care of Houseplants

Houseplants belong to various botanical families, originating from different climatic zones, each with different requirements for temperature, watering, soil properties, and lighting.

It's difficult to determine general care recommendations for all plants; it's practically impossible. What works well for cacti may lead to the demise of orchids; caring for bromeliads differs from caring for amaryllis. However, there are still basic, common rules for care.

1. Identify exactly which houseplant you have and find information about it online. Guessing the care needed for an unknown plant can be challenging.
2. Plants cannot thrive in darkness; they need light for normal existence. Place them near windows to ensure good lighting levels. Different types of plants require different light intensities; shade-loving plants can grow in the depths of a room, but only if the overall level of illumination is high.
3. Plant care should be done in a timely manner. Watering, fertilizing, pruning, and repotting should only be done when necessary, not just when remembered. Some low-maintenance plants do not require frequent watering or fertilizing; they grow slowly and should be repotted only occasionally. Others require high humidity, frequent spraying in hot weather, and daily watering. Remember this!
4. The correct temperature is crucial! Almost all houseplants poorly tolerate sudden temperature changes. Some plants prefer cooler indoor temperatures (azaleas, cyclamens) and can withstand temperature drops to 3-5 degrees (geraniums, Washington palms). Some grow well on south-facing windows in summer heat. But no plants can withstand sudden temperature fluctuations. They don't like cold drafts from open windows in winter or being too close to heaters.

5. Repot plants only when necessary and only in the soil mix suitable for that plant species. The best time for repotting is when the plant begins to grow actively, for most species, this is in spring, but for some, it's autumn or late winter. Young plants grow quickly and need repotting more often than adults. Never mass-repot all different types of houseplants into the same substrate.
6. Fertilize plants only during active growth. For most plants, this is spring and summer, but for winter-flowering azaleas, cyclamens, and poinsettias, the dormant period occurs in spring. You cannot fertilize them during the dormant period.
7. Houseplants should be clean. Remove dried leaves and flowers, clean the leaves from dust. Many houseplants enjoy spraying and washing their leaves with warm water.
8. Regularly inspect plants to detect pests or diseases in time. If one plant is sick, others can become infected. Timely treatment will save the plant, and isolating it promptly will ensure the safety of all others.