Rutgers Master Gardeners of Burlington County Blog: At Home with Houseplants

On a cold dark day in January, the green and cream striped leaves of the ‘Birkin’ philodendron are a welcome sight. As are the jagged fleshy spikes of the succulent aloe. Or perhaps it’s the soft ovate leaves and colorful flowers of the African violet that gives us a sense winter won’t last so long after all. The somewhat finicky ficus has many enthusiastic followers as do tropical indoor ferns. Anyone can benefit from keeping an indoor garden and a myriad of plants will grow in interior environments. However, there is one thing that every indoor plant has in common--they all need the right conditions to thrive. Taking proper care of them is not so daunting once you know how.

Birkin philodendron (Philodendron ‘Birkin’) is a compact variety with white stripes on its leaves. Philodendron come in both climbing and non-climbing types. This plant is an easy to care for houseplant, requiring medium light and can even tolerate some neglect. Photo credit: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Not only do houseplants beautify our homes, but they provide a host of other benefits as well. Plants can help us emotionally by connecting us with nature at times when going outside is difficult. Plants take in carbon dioxide and in turn provide us with fresh oxygen. Indoor plants serve as décor for our homes and some, like a potted citrus tree, can even provide us with food.

Potted African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) with pink flowers. African violets prefer indirect light and moist soil conditions. Credit: Alyson Ricketts, Burlington County Master Gardener

Aloe (Aloe vera) with “pups”. Propagate aloe by removing the pups from the main plant and repotting them. Aloe needs bright light and sandy soil that dries out between waterings. “Gel” from the aloe plant can be used to heal skin irritations. Credit: Alyson Ricketts, Burlington County Master Gardener

Many typical houseplants are tropical plants that evolved in natural understory environments with plenty of humidity and dappled shade. For example, the exotic looking holiday cacti (Shlumbergera species) evolved in the mountainous rainforests of South America. They need high humidity, bright but filtered light, and moist well-drained soil. It is important to keep in mind the needs of houseplants regarding light, water, temperature, and fertilizer. It is also important to know how to deter pests. Take a look at the label when you buy your plant, it will have important information about how to properly care for it.

Christmas Cactus in Bloom

Credit: University of Minnesota Extension

Location/Light Requirements:

The old gardener’s adage of “right plant for the right place” applies to houseplants as well as outdoor plants. Choose a location that provides the right amount of light for the plant you are growing. Some houseplants prefer direct southern sunlight while others can tolerate a darker corner. Keep in mind that many plants need bright, but indirect light. Ideally house plants should receive natural light from a window, but grow lights can also be used.

Watering:

Know your plants water requirements. Overwatering is the most common mistake gardeners make. Most houseplants need good drainage, they do not like to sit in water-logged soil. Indoor gardeners, especially when the heat inside is running continuously, are afraid their plants will dry out. However, paying attention to soil moisture in the pot will help to adequately gauge if the plant needs to be watered. Stick a finger in the soil up to the first knuckle to determine how much water is still in the soil. A water meter for plants can be handy as well. Another trick is to lift the pot to see if it feels light or heavy with water. Use room temperature water to not shock the plant.

Most houseplants like humidity. Consider running a humidifier to provide extra moisture in the air. Grouping plants together can help as well as filling a tray with water for evaporation. Misting with a spray bottle may help some, but its effects are short lived.

Temperature:

In general, houseplants enjoy the same temperatures as people do, 60-80 degrees during the day and 5-10 degrees lower at night. Some houseplants will enjoy a vacation outside during the summer months, but bring plants back inside when the weather gets colder.

Fertilizing and Repotting:

Fertilize when plants are growing. In the late spring and summer warmer temperatures and increased light promote growth. Some plants, like succulents though, don’t need any high nitrogen fertilizer.

Spring is the best time to transplant or re-pot your houseplants. Check to see if plants have become root-bound and provide a larger pot. Use any soil or soil-less potting medium that is suitable for houseplants. Do not use soil from outdoors as it could be a source of pests.

Pests and Diseases:

Even indoor plants have to combat pests at times. Common pests are mealybugs, mites, scale, fungus gnats, and whitefly. The first step is to identify the pest. Additionally, some fungal diseases can cause root and stem rot as well as spots on the leaves. If you can, change the conditions that favored the pest or disease in the first place. Maybe your soil remained too wet or the plant was stressed because it didn’t get enough water. Perhaps the pest was able to thrive in hot, dry air. At times it may be necessary to clean the foliage. Use a wet cloth to wipe away dust and dirt from the leaves.

If you are a gardener who would be happy if your Monstera grew into a monster (they can grow 16 feet or more), do your research and give your plant the conditions it requires. A range of plants are available for a variety of indoor environments. Choose the one (or many!) that will work best for you. With the right knowledge, indoor gardeners can surely make their plants feel right at home.

Additional Resources:

Cornell Cooperative Extension, “Houseplant Care”

https://allegany.cce.cornell.edu/gardening/houseplant-care

Indoor Gardens: Just for the Health of It by Joel Flagler

https://sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu/2022/09/indoor-gardens-just-for-the-health-of-it/

Penn State Extension, “Caring for Houseplants”

https://extension.psu.edu/caring-for-houseplants

Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center, “Common Houseplant Insects and Related Pests”

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/common-houseplant-insects-related-pests/

University of Connecticut, “Fertilizing Houseplants”

https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.cce.cornell.edu/attachments/18531/FertilizingHouseplants.pdf?1478879035

The Real Dirt Blog by the UC Master Gardeners of Butte County, “Cactus from the Rainforest: Christmas Cactus”