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Maintaining your house plants for proper growth

Like any working unit--either living or mechanical—a plant needs proper maintenance to function normally. A plant grown indoors in a pot is completely dependent upon its caretaker for light, water, and nutrients. It requires the right amount of water, pruning to stay a reasonable size, repotting when its container becomes restrictive, and protection when diseases or pests attack.

This section gives you the instructions needed to maintain healthy house plants. It explains in detail the need for humidity, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and repotting, and it tells you how to inspect plants for possible problems. Consistent and careful attention to your plants' needs will allow them to function properly in their indoor environment.

Inspecting house plants on a day-to-day basis or at regular intervals is a habit worth developing. Just a few minutes a day will help keep your plants in peak condition. This careful attention also enables you to correct most problems before they become major.

House plant care list:

Ask yourself several questions during the routine check:
1.Does the plant need watering? 2) Has dust accumulated on the leaves? 3) Are any brown or dying leaves visible? 4) Is there any sign of a pest infestation? If the answer to any of these questions is "Yes," see the appropriate section below for a solution.

Keep your house plants looking fresh and healthy by removing any unsightly leaves with scissors or a sharp knife. Dead or dying leaves ruin the plant's appearance and may invite unwanted pests or disease. Removing dead leaves or branches also makes room for new growth. Many leaves develop brown tips or edges, usually caused by a lack of humidity. Some indoor gardeners recommend trimming these unsightly edges off to keep up appearances. Use sharp scissors to cut off brown tips or edges; try to follow the natural leaf shape so the trim isn't obvious. Of course, this trimming won't correct the problem; it merely improves the plant's looks. Try to correct the situation as soon as possible.

Most pests that attack house plants are small and hard to see. Your first indication of a problem will probably be poor plant health, which shows up as yellow or dying foliage, stunted growth, or curled or distorted foliage. Examine sickly plants closely. If pests seem to be the problem, refer to the section on pests and their control (see pages 23-25) for a solution. If you find no sign of small creatures on your sickly plant, make sure your plant is receiving the care and culture it requires.

Dust accumulation. Plants—like furniture—benefit from regular dusting. Wash dirty leaves individually with plain water on a soft cloth or cotton. Always support a leaf with one hand and gently wipe off dust with the other. Daily misting also helps keep dust from building up on plant foliage.

Some plant keepers recommend occasional showers for their plants; use a spray attachment in a sink, a hose with a sprayer in the yard, or a bathroom shower. If you have a water softener, spray the plant outdoors with a hose, since water from outdoor faucets usually by-passes the water softener. Be sure to let plants drip dry before returning them to their normal places. Remember to limit outdoor excursions for tender house plants to the warmer seasons of the year.

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