A Guide to Succulent Gardening Indoors

   

With their striking forms, diverse colors, and low-maintenance nature, succulents are a great choice for indoor gardening, especially during the winter months. From the rosette shapes of Echeveria to the trailing vines of String of Pearls, their unique appearance can add a touch of color and interest to any indoor space. 

  

One of the most appealing aspects of succulents is their low-maintenance care requirements. They thrive in bright light and can tolerate periods of neglect when it comes to watering. This makes them a perfect choice for those who may not have a green thumb but still want to enjoy the benefits of indoor plants.  

Creating a thriving indoor succulent garden requires choosing a proper container, a succulent soil and selecting the right location in your house or office.  

When choosing containers for your succulents, drainage is key. Succulents are prone to root rot if left in standing water, so opt for pots with drainage holes. Ceramic or plastic will work. Terracotta pots are also an excellent choice as they allow for better airflow and moisture evaporation.  

Succulents require well-draining soil to thrive. Common garden soil or regular potting mix holds too much moisture and can lead to root rot. Instead, use a succulent potting mix, which is designed specifically for these types of plants.  

Succulents do best in bright, indirect light. Place your succulents near a south-facing window where they can receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day. If natural light is limited, you can use grow lights to supplement their light requirements. 

  

While succulents are low maintenance, they still require proper care indoors. This is particularly important when it comes to watering. The key to watering succulents is to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common mistake and can lead to root damage. When in doubt, it’s better to underwater than overwater. 

Keep the room temperature between 60-80°F (15-27°C) for optimal growth. Succulents can tolerate cooler temperatures at night, but it’s important to keep them away from drafts and cold windowsills to prevent damage. 

Even though they're not heavy feeders, succulents do have nutrient requirements. For best results, use a fertilizer formulated for cactus and succulents.  

Succulent gardening indoors, especially during winter, offers a rewarding experience. 

 

 

 

How to Grow Houseplants in Low Light Conditions

  

When it comes to growing houseplants, you may think that because parts of your house or apartment don’t receive much sunlight, you can’t grow houseplants there. It’s a question we get all the time "will this plant do okay if I don't have a lot of sunlight?" It’s important to know that all plants need a consistent source of light. A houseplant won’t last long in a windowless bathroom without a consistent source of light. 

That said, many of the plants we grow indoors originate from shaded places in nature. What this means is just because you don't have a bright, well-lit room in your home or office, doesn’t mean you can't grow healthy houseplants.  

This includes, but isn’t limited to Sansevieria, Aglaonema, ZZ plant, Spathiphyllum and Pothos. 

The distinct ornamental foliage of Aglaonema or Chinese Evergreens makes them a standout display in your room or office. A slow growing plant, Chinese Evergreens like to be pot bound so don’t be in a hurry to repot them. Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out slightly before you water again.    

The Snake Plant (Sansevieria)is an easy to grow succulent, very tough and durable and very tolerant of low light.  Some varieties can grow two to three feet tall. Water liberally, then let the soil dry out a little before you water again. This is a great choice if you’re just learning how to care for houseplants.    

 

The ZZ (Zamioculcas Zamifolia) plant is a slow-growing plant that tolerates less-than-perfect conditions indoors. It does well in low-light areas and tolerates low humidity conditions very well.   

 

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) will produce lush, dark green leaves year-round with minimal light. white, leaf-like flowers, but they make super pretty houseplants even without the blooms.  

Also known as Devils Ivy, pothos is a super easy houseplant that can be grown in a hanging basket or in a pot on the table or desk.  There are many varieties to choose from.  

 

When it comes to feeding your houseplants during the winter months, choose a low concentration fertilizer, such as Foxfarm Grow Big. This will keep the root system strong and support healthy foliage. Plan to feed your plants every three to four weeks.   Once a month, water with SuperThrive.  

  

These are five good choices for low light conditions. There are many more. Stop by. We’ll be glad to help you pick the plants that will match the conditions in your home and office. 

 

Winter Houseplant Care: Tips on Keeping Your Indoor Plants Healthy Through the Season

 Winter Houseplant Care: Tips on Keeping Your Indoor Plants Healthy Through the Season  

When it comes to keeping your houseplants healthy, winter brings its own set of challenges. Shorter days, lower light levels, low humidity, are signals to your houseplants that it’s time to slow down and conserve energy.  This natural response is called dormancy and understanding dormancy is key to winter houseplant care.  

When houseplants go dormant during the winter, their growth slows and may stop completely. You might notice fewer new leaves or stems. Some plants might shed a few leaves, or their leaves might turn yellow or brown before falling off. Flowering plants often stop producing new blooms. These activities allow houseplants to conserve energy and resources during unfavorable conditions.  

In response, we often overlook the effects of the season, and think our plants are declining for other reasons and step up our care including more water and fertilizer.  

A better approach would be to work on the environment our plants are growing in, including improving lighting, raising humidity levels and reducing the negative effects forced air furnaces and fireplaces have on houseplant quality.  

During colder months, heating systems circulate dry, warm air, which typically creates an environment that has low humidity. In addition, plants located near heating or cooling vents are subject to increased air movement which dries them out faster. Growth stops and many houseplants develop leaf spots or brown tips because of the lack of humidity.  

Simple cultural procedures can increase the relative humidity around houseplants. Group plants together. The water evaporating from the potting soil, plus water lost through the plant foliage (transpiration), will increase the relative humidity.

Another method is to place houseplants on saucers filled with pebbles or gravel and water. If you go this route, make sure the bottoms of the pots are above the water level. Adding a room humidifier works too. 

  

To counter the effects of inadequate lighting, move plants closer to windows and/or provide supplemental lighting. Observe the winter light in your home and move plants to the brightest spots, and closer to windows. Just make sure plants are not right up against freezing-cold windows. Consider adding a grow-light if there isn’t sufficient natural light. 

Water when the plant needs it, not on a fixed schedule. Use a meter or push your finger an inch or two into the soil, and only water when the top layer is dry. When you water houseplants, water them thoroughly. Water should freely drain out of the bottoms of the pots. Once the excess water drains into a saucer, discard the water and replace the saucer beneath the pot.  

Check the top and bottom of leaves weekly for insect activity. Look for sticky substances (mealy bugs or scale), small webs (usually spider mites). Fungus gnats can also be a problem. If found, treat with appropriate products such as Spinosad or Neem Oil.  

Dust and grease often accumulate on the leaves of houseplants can slow plant growth. Cleaning houseplants improves their appearance and may help control insects and mites.  

Finally, avoid over fertilizing. Use a product such as Foxfarm Grow Big 6-4-4 or Schultz 10-15-10 every couple of weeks. Once a month, feed with SuperThrive with Kelp to provide the nutrients your plants need.