Tips for indoor plants
Try a popular succulent
THERE ARE MANY POSITIVES to growing plants indoors—some studies have shown that indoor plants can actually increase feelings of happiness. Multiple factors determine the success or failure of indoor plants, including plant species and size, light levels and quality, container type and size, soil type, air temperature, humidity, moisture and available nutrients.
All these factors must be balanced for a houseplant to grow and thrive indoors. I have found that low or no light, in combination with improper watering and overfertilization, are the most common causes of plant decline and failure indoors.
For example, gasteria obliqua, also known as ox tongue or lawyer’s tongue, is a succulent that can grow in low light conditions. But that doesn’t mean no light conditions. To thrive, it still must be in or near a window. Even plants that tolerate low light need bright indirect light. This means the light source doesn’t have to hit the foliage, but it does have to be strong enough to cast a distinctive shadow. Light levels drop quickly even just a few feet from a window.
Ox tongue also needs well draining soil. Water it well, but always let the soil dry in between waterings. When and how much you water any houseplant depends on many factors, so there is no quick answer for how much and how often you need to water. Every home environment is unique and can change from season to season. The way you water and care for your houseplant in the summer is different than in the winter.
During the short days of winter, your houseplants will have a natural rest period in which they can tolerate a little lower light than normal, use less water and require little or no fertilizer. If you have a programmable thermostat and your home’s air temperature is 10 to 15 degrees cooler at night than during the day, you will not only save energy, but your houseplants will positively benefit, because this change mimics a natural daily fluctuation in temperature.
