Indoor Plant Care Overview

All plants require light, moisture and nutrients and these can vary by plant. Therefore it is important to manage these needs for specific types of plants. Care instructions may come with the plant. If so, just follow those instructions.

If no instructions are provided, here are some general tips: 

1. Provide indirect bright light, not direct sunlight.
2. Water only when the top 1 inch of the soil starts to dry out. Do not overwater. Overwatering is often a plant killer. Remove any excess water that is not absorbed within a few hours. If using tap water, let it reach room temperature before applying to plants. Well water may be excessively alkaline or acidic which could harm plants. If so, water treatment products for plants are available commercially.
3. Apply plant food according to the instructions on the container. Excess fertilizer may damage the plant. 
4. If your plant requires pruning, do it a little at a time instead of all at once. Dead leaves can be removed at any time.
5. Transplant to a slightly larger pot if a root ball begins to crowd out the soil at the bottom of the pot.
6. Gently rinse the plant with water occasionally to remove dust. 
7. For plants being grown in water: Change the water biweekly. New water should be the same temperature. Add one or two drops of liquid fertilizer according to label instructions. 

When introducing a new plant, it is a good idea to keep it in a separate location away from your other plants until you are sure it is free of disease and pests. 

As with tropicals, desert plants need light, water, and nutrients each of which can vary depending on the plant. 

1. Wear thick gloves and use tongs, cardboard, or rolled up newspaper to handle these plants.  Some cacti, such as Bunny Ear, have microscopic thorns (Glochids) that are not readily visible.
2.  Be careful not to water too often.  Cactus roots will rot if they stay wet too long.   
3.  If plants are potted, be sure the pot has a drain hole.   
4. Fertilize according the instructions for the food you are applying.
5. Use well draining soil that does not retain moisture for long.  Commercial soils are available for cacti and succulents.