The Importance and Care of House Plants
House plants not only serve as a significant decorative element but also play a role in purifying indoor air. It’s essential to ensure their health and wellbeing. Below are gardener’s tips on how to care for them.
1. Light Exposure

Plants synthesize their nutrients using light. To facilitate this, place indoor plants in well-lit areas, ideally near windows. If some areas are poorly lit or don’t get sunlight, consider using artificial lighting.
2. Maintain Humidity
Regularly misting plants is essential. This helps in preventing them from drying out, especially during hot periods.
3. Optimal Temperature
Excessive heat can dry out indoor plants. If room temperature exceeds 18°C, mist the foliage. During summer, consider placing plants outside for a day or two to benefit from the sun, but this depends on the plant type. Keep small green and flowering plants indoors.
4. Watering

Water plants regularly and repeat once the soil dries out. For semi-aquatic plants like papyrus, regular watering isn’t necessary. Understand the specific watering frequency for each plant. In winter, avoid overwatering as plants might rot. After watering, drain excess water and use non-limestone water like rainwater for misting.
5. Fertilizing
During the growth period, typically between March and September, use specially formulated fertilizers for green plants. A bi-weekly nutrient supply is sufficient. Also, baking soda can help strengthen plants.
6. Planting and Repotting
Sometimes, plants need a bigger container to let roots grow. Ensure proper drainage by placing clay balls at the bottom of the pots. This process is called repotting.
7. Keep Away Fruit Flies

In muslin bags, place aromatic herbs like peppermint, basil, citronella, or lavender and hang them around the house. These fragrances repel gnats. Keeping food clean and washed minimizes fly contact. Don’t overlook cleaning sponges and cloths.
Additional Care Tips
For green plants like dracaena or ficus, clean their foliage as dust can block sunlight.
Remove anything harmful to plant health, like dead branches, wilted flowers, or damaged leaves.
Support large growing plants to encourage growth, shield them from winds, and prevent uprooting.
If stems wither, move them closer to the window. If leaves turn yellow due to dampness, wait for the substrate to dry before repotting.