Did you ever find yourself in the situation where you’ve got the idea of planting your own garden and getting all the tools, seeds and dirt but you don’t know exactly what does the plant need to grow?
Needless to say, you’ve come to the right place! We will talk about all the basic factors which spark the sprouting of a plant and list everything that a plant need to grow.
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General Houseplant Care Tips
Use The Right Amount Of Water
Apart from some species of plants that can withstand drought, like cactuses and succulents, most plants need to be watered regularly.
When the soil is drenched in water, the roots take up the moisture and distribute it back and forth between the roots and the leaves. Kind of how our blood circulates through our body.
Also, various nutrients are soaked up in the process.
Watering a plant requires a lot of attention in order to prevent the plant from drying out and also not overdoing it. The water excess can drown the plant so be careful when you water your plant and keep a watering schedule if needed.
It all depends on the type of plant that you have because some plants need less water to survive and some need more. So you should always check on the packaging of the seeds or consult with the plant seller if you are buying already sprouted plants.
Use The Three Basic Nutrients
As we already mentioned, nutrients are soaked up along with the water by the roots and provide the plant with the nutrition it needs. Nutrients for plants are like food for people.
Needless to say, without these nutrients your plant has no chance of growing. Nutrients deficiency leads to many problems. But luckily, the soil and fertilizers are packed with them.
The three nutrients that are necessary for a plant to grow are:
- Nitrogen (N) – Nitrogen makes the leaves green, and we’ve all learned in biology class that the pigment is called chlorophyll which is caused due to the process of photosynthesis.
- Phosphorus (P) – Phosphorus is responsible for making the plant have big leaves and strong roots and is important for cell division and development of new tissue.
- Potassium (K) – Initially potassium helps the plant fight off diseases but also regulates CO2 intake and triggers the activation of enzymes.
Fertilizers are specifically mixed with these nutrients in order to provide the plant with the needed nutrition so it can grow. But be aware that, as with water, too many nutrients can also damage your plant.
You should check which type of fertilizer your plant needs to grow and how to maintain the perfect nutrient balance so it can not only grow to its full potential but also maintain its health by fighting off diseases.
Pick the Proper Soil
Soil for plants is what a house is for people, and without it, a plant wouldn’t even be able to sprout from the seed. As water and nutrients are absorbed by the roots from the soil, it’s the most necessary component of the whole sprouting process.
Also, there are several types of soil which are suitable for various types of plants and provide different desired conditions for plants.
Additionally, some plants need to grow in specific soil, while others can grow in any type of soil. Here is the list of the best soil you can find on the market.
Give Plants Enough Air And Light
Plants need fresh and pollution-free air in order to survive, and they do that through air circulation – through the soil and into the roots.
Sunlight is also vital for the process of photosynthesis and, even though some plants could still manage to grow using indoor lamps, it is recommended that they are kept in a place where sunlight can reach them.
Bear in mind that too much direct sunlight can cause the soil to dry out and damage the plant so you need to keep the balance of light and water at just the right point so that the plants can grow and stay healthy.
Temperature is also a vital component. And it is determined by exposure to sunlight and the climate that you live in. If it’s too cold, the plants can freeze, and if too warm the soil can dry out leading to the plant dying.
FAQs
1. Can I keep an indoor plant in my garden?
You can move them outside in the summer months because fresh air and direct sunlight will surely promote healthy growth. Also, the rain will wash off accumulated dust. Just know that some tender tropical plants could perish and should be kept indoors.
2. Do I need to use pesticides for plants?
Apart from all the components a plant needs to grow, pesticides are also very important. There is no way to tell if plants might get attacked by pests and it’s better to prevent it from happening than to cure it later.
4. Can I grow exotic plants?
It depends on the type of exotic plant. You should know that they are harder to grow and take care of than most indoor plants. So be sure to check what those plants need to grow with your local flower shop.
