A Beginner's Guide to Gardening: Why Do My Houseplants Keep Dying?

You dream of a vibrant home full of lush green plants and blooming flowers. There's just one problem: your houseplants keep dying! 

Keeping houseplants alive can be a serious challenge. People often forget that they are completely reliant on their owners for life, and if you are new to growing indoor plants it can be easy to underestimate the difference that something seemingly trivial like pot size or proximity to a window can make.  

Learn more about how you can find the perfect pot size for your plants in this blog post! 

Even small changes can make a big difference when it comes to the well-being of houseplants. Even so-called beginner houseplants need the right amount of sunlight and a consistent watering schedule. To understand the needs of your plants, you will likely need to do a little research before you take your green beauty home.  

A great deal of information can be found online or by talking to your garden center professionals. Gathering information is just the first step, the measure of success will be your ability to follow through.  

Make no mistake, raising house plants can be a challenge! If you are struggling to keep your collection of houseplants alive, then this post is for you! We will discuss some tips for keeping your houseplants alive, then we will give you a weekly checklist to ensure your indoor plants' needs are met.  

How Do I Keep Houseplants Alive? 

Many new gardeners struggle with keeping house plants alive because they require constant attention and care. Unlike outdoor plants, house plants rely solely on their owners for their survival. This can be overwhelming for beginners who may not be aware of the specific needs of each plant. 

Let's begin the post by looking at some quick tips for keeping your house plants alive.  

Tips for Keeping Houseplants Alive 

To help new gardeners keep their house plants alive, here are some tips to consider: 

1. Understand the lighting needs of each plant. Some plants need direct sunlight while others thrive in low-light conditions. Don't put a plant that likes partial shade in bright light (like next to a window). Look for a ledge with indirect light instead.
   
   
2. Water your plants at the right time and in the right amount. Overwatering or underwatering can both be detrimental to the plant's health. Make sure your pot has drainage holes, so if you do overwater, the excess has someplace to flow.
   
   
3. Regularly check for pests and diseases. House plants are more susceptible to these issues due to the controlled indoor environment. This is a great chance to flex your green thumb! Look for an excess of bugs, rot, or mold. Also, be on the lookout for discolored leaves and stems rapidly dropping leaves, and foul smells.
   
   
4. Provide the right type of soil for your plants. Different plants require different soil compositions to thrive. Remember that your plants likely originate from different parts of the world, and because of that, they will need different types of soil. This piece of the houseplant puzzle can be a tough one to solve. Ask your garden center professionals for help!
   
   
5. Remember that as the seasons change the scarcity of light increases while indoor temperatures stay consistent. Especially light-sensitive plants may need to be moved during summer and winter to get them light. Indirect light might mean a plant needs to be closer to a window when the skies are cloudy and the daylight only lasts ten hours!
   
   
6. Use a checklist to ensure you provide the necessary care for each plant, including watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Keep reading, we provided a template for a weekly checklist later in the blog! 

General Plant Considerations 

Let's look at the basics of indoor plant care. 

Watering schedule. Different plants have different water requirements, so it's important to research what your specific plant needs. Factors to consider include the plant's size, type, and environmental conditions. Take note of the soil moisture level before watering and adjust accordingly. Additionally, consider the season and temperature, as plants may need more frequent watering during hotter months. 

Plant age. The needs of young plants differ from those of mature plants. Young plants often require more frequent watering as their roots are still developing. Mature plants, however, may require less frequent watering but in larger quantities. 

Soil fertilization. When it comes to fertilizer, it's important to understand your plant's specific needs for nutrients. Some plants may require more frequent fertilizing, while others may not need it at all. Additionally, using the right type of soil is essential for plant health. Different plants have different soil preferences, so research the best soil type for your specific plant and ensure it is well-draining. 

Amount of light. This can be a tricky skill to master. Quick: what's the difference between direct light, indirect light, and partial shade? The answer can be subjective. Be sure to ask your garden center professional and pay attention to the amount of light pros are exposing the plant to in-store. 

In the next section, we will discuss putting these ideas into practice by creating a weekly schedule checklist for your indoor plant needs. 

Download Our Weekly Checklist for Your Houseplants! 

Looking for outdoor gardening tips? Click here to learn about how you can get a head start on your garden this spring! 

Find the Indoor Plants You Want at Knollwood Garden Center 

Creating a lush garden of indoor plants is no easy task. Houseplants can be finicky, and they are entirely reliant on their owners for care. Also, some indoor plants are harder to care for than others. If you are new to houseplant ownership, make sure you ask your garden center expert for advice on which houseplants are best for beginners.  

Maintaining a healthy collective of houseplants starts with buying healthy plants. When you buy houseplants, you should always get them from a trusted source that cares for their plants before purchase, like Knollwood Garden Center.  

Our team of gardening experts can help advise you on the best houseplant options for your home. We have a wide selection of houseplants, pots, and soil, and we will help you determine the needs of each of your plants.  

Stop by Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek, Ohio today, or click here to reach out now! 

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