Keeping Plants Healthy The Story Of Neglect

Article Written By: BradLelliot

House plants are just like people, it's always easier and much better for all involved to prevent disease than cure the patient. Complete volumes of technical books have been written with studies focused on plant diseases and insects.

Looking only at the area of indoor houseplants, the quantity of plants finding their way to the compost heap from plant disease is tiny when put up against plants who found their demise simply from neglect or the application of bad or misunderstood plant care knowledge. The aim of this article is to offer a first step in improving not only your plant care but also your pleasure and success with indoor plants.

Failure with house plants usually stem from two forms of neglect. One is the lack of knowledge of houseplants or the basic needs of houseplants and then giving over care. The second form of neglect comes from simply buying a plant, setting it in the house and forgetting about it until it drops dead. Then people wonder why they have no success with plants indoors. I'll confess when looking for new varieties to grown I have totally neglected a new plant to test its durability. This is one way I do house plant care research and increasing my knowledge.

Succeeding with houseplants or any plant for that matter, means giving plants an environment, which meets their requirements allowing them to do well. This includes not over or under watering, adequate light, and pruning if needed, for shaping or to promote growth and in general providing a good living atmosphere. This atmosphere includes not only the surrounding outside areas but the environment inside the pot, which means not over or under potting. Your houseplants living conditions include air temperature or micro environment, humidity, and where the plant itself is placed inside. For example, does the plant live in a high traffic area?

Houseplants found in most garden centers are not like kids; they don't need daily monitoring and supervision. Indoor foliage varieties requiring minimal care and weeks between watering include Aglaonemas of which many new varieties have been introduced, Bromeliads with many choices as well, Sansevieria, cactus and succulents all make up a diverse but quick shopping list.

Like it or not all live plants need some amount of care even if that care is minimal. This plant care is not difficult, but is low cost and the returns are plants, which will look better and hold up longer. If it's a blooming plant like a Bromeliad it will provide color and bring a room to life for a much longer period of time.

Basic plant care knowledge will help tremendously improve and even reduce the care needed for your houseplants. Many times the knowledge for success may come down to selecting a great plant but putting it in the wrong place. For example, a Ficus can be a great indoor plant when placed in a room with lots of direct light, yet it can become a true non-performer when in low light levels. Selecting a plant that will handle in the lower light level would be a much better choice. Some plants demand or need as much light as possible.

Most plants grown as houseplants have been chosen because they adapt to a variety of environments. Face it; plants were never created to live indoors, so they must adapt to survive. The home of today is not designed for houseplants; fortunately those who develop new plant varieties take these unfriendly environments into account when introducing new plants. Even in these plant unfriendly environments selecting the right plants can make a world of difference. A fern that originates on the rain forest floor can live in the same room as a desert cactus and do very well. Before purchasing any houseplant ask yourself where in a room the plant will call home. Does the plant and the area work? Taking this simple step will make you much more successful with houseplants. Everyone can have a green thumb, but sometimes they need a knowledge for it to show.

About the Author

The living and growing world of house plants can be enjoyed by everyone. Learning how to care for house plants is child's play and you can get started at anytime. Click here for other unique 'house plants' articles.

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This Article Has Been Published on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 and Read 261 Times

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