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TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL INDOOR PLANTS

Indoor plants can provide a variety of benefits. They can bring the enjoyment of nature inside, lift moods, add aesthetically pleasing décor, and even aid in cleaning the air of toxins. When it comes to caring for indoor plants, even the best gardeners can struggle to keep the plants happy. From what varieties to choose to some helpful tips, we'll help you have successful indoor plants.

1. PICK THE RIGHT PLANT

Not all plants are created equal and some are easier then others to care for. Doing a little research before you buy can go along way in ensuring success. Here are some questions to ask before deciding;

Do you want low maintenance? Some plants require daily care, while others thrive on neglect.

Do you travel a lot or for long periods? Many indoor plants can go weeks on little water, while some need spritzed daily.

Where will you place your plants? Pay attention to how much moisture, light, and direct air the area gets and match the type of plant to the environment.

Below are some of the best plants to start researching for your home. If you're new to houseplants, the peace lily is your go-to starting plant. Not only does is provide air cleaning qualities, its 'almost' impossible to kill.

Aloe Vera
Areca Palm
Azalea
Bamboo Palm
Boston Fern
Chrysanthemum

Dracaena
English Ivy
Ficus Alii
Gerber Daisy
Jade Plant
Peace Lily

Pothos
Red-Edged Dracaena
Rhapis Palm
Rubber Tree
Spider Plant
Weeping Fig

1. PICK THE RIGHT PLANT

Do you want low maintenance? Some plants require daily care, while others thrive on neglect.

Do you travel a lot or for long periods? Many indoor plants can go weeks on little water, while some need spritzed daily.

Where will you place your plants? Pay attention to how much moisture, light, and direct air the area gets and match the type of plant to the environment.

2. PICK THE RIGHT POT

It can be hard to choose the correct container with so many options on the market. To start pick something aesthetically pleasing that matches your current décor, and be sure the container has holes to allow proper drainage. The best ones are those that come with a matching drainage dish to avoid unsightly plastic ones.

If you happen to love a pot without holes or one made from unique material such as copper, don't fret. Simply plant in a smaller plastic container with a drainage dish and set it inside your unique find.

As for size, ensure you have enough room for root and plant growth. With that said, too large can lead to root disease and many indoor plants prefer a snug home.

2. PICK THE RIGHT POT

As for size, ensure you have enough room for root and plant growth. With that said, too large can lead to root disease and many indoor plants prefer a snug home.

3. PROVIDE THE RIGHT SOIL

Simply grabbing soil from outside will not lead to successful indoor growth. Because of the unique environment and less watering needs, indoor plants need special potting soil that increases aeration and drainage.

A high-quality potting soil with a mix of compost, top soil and perlite will work for most plants (if planting orchids or cactus, be sure to grab soil specifically for those). After placing the soil and plant in the pot, lightly pack down the soil around the root system. Add EM ® Bokashi as a top dress for an all natural fertilizer and water in with 1oz EM-1® per gallon of water.

4. FIND THE RIGHT SPOT

All plant varieties need light, but depending on what you chose the amount needed can vary. For most plants to survive, they need about the amount of light needed to read a book comfortably without additional lighting. If possible, place plants within direct sunlight on a windowsill or plant stand next to a window.

If you lack windowsill space, do not stress. Some plants, such as Philodendron and ZZ Plants, do ok without direct sunlight and are perfectly happy in a basement or up on a bookshelf. Ferns, vines, and dracaenas do great under incandescent lighting and low light plants and indoor veggies do well under fluorescent lighting.

5. GET WATERING RIGHT

We've all heard it before... The most common reason houseplants do not succeed is water. Whether forgotten in a dark corner left to dry or treated like an outdoor plant watered daily, too little or too much water kills most indoor plants.

There is no set rule of thumb for watering and it varies plant to plant. Rather then a rigid watering schedule, feel the soil. The plant is ready to be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch. Timing can change depending on the time of year, much like outdoor plants.

Watering in or foliar spraying with EM-1® can help with water efficiency among other benefits. Because indoor soil is not exposed to many organisms such as worms, the beneficial microbes in EM-1® will mine the soil, creating pores for better air and water permeability.

5. GET WATERING RIGHT

We've all heard it before... The most common reason houseplants do not succeed is water. Whether forgotten in a dark corner left to dry or treated like an outdoor plant watered daily, too little or too much water kills most indoor plants.

There is no set rule of thumb for watering and it varies plant to plant.

Rather then a rigid watering schedule, feel the soil.

The plant is ready to be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch. Timing can change depending on the time of year, much like outdoor plants.

Watering in or foliar spraying with EM-1® can help with water efficiency among other benefits. Because indoor soil is not exposed to many organisms such as worms, the beneficial microbes in EM-1® will mine the soil, creating pores for better air and water permeability.

6. PROVIDE NUTRIENTS AND MICROBES

Although indoor plants have the advantage of a more controlled environment, they also lack the beneficial aspects of getting nutrients and organic matter from leaves, dead plants, or organisms such as worms in the soil. However, there is no need for toxic fertilizers or insecticides.

Adding EM-1® Microbial Inoculant will give your soil high populations of beneficial microorganisms. These microbes will break down organic matter in the soil and cycle nutrients into plant available forms. In addition, E M® Bokashi adds all natural and clean compost and nutrients.

CARING FOR INDOOR PLANTS WITH EM®

DURING PLANTING: Mix EM® Bokashi in with the potting soil at 2% of soil volume. Water in with EM-1® at 1oz per gallon of water.
MAINTAINING: Spray entire plant and water soil with a solution of 1 oz EM-1® per gallon of water, weekly. Sprinkle EM® Bokashi as a top dress on top of the soil, biweekly.
TRANSPLANTING: When changing to a bigger pot or changing out soil, re mix EM® Bokashi with new soil and water in with EM-1® to decrease stress on the plant.