Today I am going to be talking about the most common mistakes that are made when caring for houseplants and how to avoid them. It can take a lot of work to ensure that all of your plants get the proper care, but it is worth it when you see how beautifully they grow.

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“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox. The florist will sigh and add a wall divider and proper soil to both sides. The grandparent will move the flowerbox halfway out of the sun. The child will turn it around properly so that the fern is in the shade, and not the cactus. The moral of the story?

Kids are smart.”

Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

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Improper Watering

Improper watering is one of the most common mistakes made when dealing with houseplants. This is because all plants require different watering schedules. Some prefer their soil to dry out completely before being watered again, and some prefer to have constant damp soil. Although I can’t supply you with a full list of how to water your plants, I can give you some basic tips!

Tip #1: It is better the underwater rather than overwater

Tip #2: Water the soil, not the leaves

Tip #3: DO NOT let water sit on top of the soil because the plant will drown

Tip #4: Water the soil evenly, otherwise the roots will grow to one side

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Pots and Soil

Another mistake that is commonly made is putting your plants in the wrong types of pots. The biggest mistake is using pots that don’t have drainage holes. Drainage holes are very important because they allow excess water the drain out, which will prevent root rot. Along with this, it is important for your pots to have the proper amount of soil. Over time, soil will be lost in two places while watering: the bottom where the it escapes from the drainage hole and the top from splashing out.