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How to Care for Plants in an Apartment

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Plants brighten up any home by adding life to even the dullest surroundings. While living in a rental without property or a yard of your on can feel drab, a little indoor greenery will breathe new energy into your space. However, caring for indoor plants can be daunting, especially if you live alone in your apartment and have a busy schedule! Read on for tips on how to keep your apartment plants thriving.

Make sure to water properly: Every plants has its own aquatic needs. Not every type of greenery is created equal, and the amount of h2o required to keep your indoor plant thriving will depend on its breed. While most plants require watering at least once a week, do proper research to determine just how much water your plant needs, and stick to a watering schedule so you don't forget. Most people simply sprinkle their plants with hydration when they randomly remember to do so, which is obviously ineffective. Plants are like any other living thing-they require your attention and care!

Keep the leaves moist: Watering your plants' soil isn't enough to keep them healthy. While it is essential for strengthening the roots and stems, the leaves need love too. Fill a spray bottle with water and spritz leaves and blossoms with a light shower periodically. If your apartment is particularly dry, you may want to mist your thirsty plants more often. During the winter, when the heat is running and your apartment has a tendency to be very dry, you can also keep your plant in the bathroom for a few days here and there to soak up some steam.

Add drainage material: Ample water is important, but you don't want to drown your plant. Make sure your pots have holes in the bottom, and add drainage materials like rocks or gravel to collect excess moisture. This will prevent root rot and keep your plants healthy and happy.

Give them the sunlight they need: Depending on your rental, you may lack sufficient sunlight sources. Plants vary on their sunshine needs, so be sure not to purchase a sun-loving plant if your place can't accommodate it. Most plants come equipped with informative tags that say full sun, partial sun or shade. The direction your apartment receives sun is important too--full sun plants require unblocked or unfiltered southern or western sunlight. If your apartment gets mostly northern or eastern light, you will fare better with partial sun or shade-suited botany.

Avoid extreme temperatures: While most plants prefer warmer temperatures, their specific needs will vary. However, extreme highs or lows can be detrimental to most greenery, so try to keep your plant in a spot where temperatures are mild. Avoid drafty places-while you will likely want to keep your plants near windows or glass sliding doors to receive sunlight, avoid placing them next to an A/C unit. Additionally, if there are any extreme temperatures changes outside, you may want to consider moving them just a little distance away from doors and windows. Spots that receive excessive heat (such as close to a heating vent) should also be avoided.

Pick a spot and stick to it! If you are prone to Feng Shui habits of constantly rearranging your living space, it could wreak havoc on your plant's well-being. Plants prefer consistency, and too much shifting can disrupt them. If they are thriving and receiving enough sunlight where they are, no need to disturb them!

The best plants for apartment living

Not all plants are suited for indoor lodgings-especially those that tend to be small, restrictive and inhabited by busy tenants that lack the time and focus to properly care for them! The following plants are best suited for the less-than-optimal conditions of apartment living:
  • Cacti: The cactus can survive the harshest desert conditions, so it should be able to withstand any unfavorable condition your apartment creates! Fluctuating temperatures and your lack of memory won't do much to destruct this tough, spiny specimen-it needs only minimal water and can go days without a drink. The only thing it absolutely requires is bright sunlight, so stick it in front of a window and don't forget to water it when the soil goes completely dry.

  • African violet: Another low-maintenance indoor plant, the African Violets is both beautiful and simple to care for. They will bloom about nine months out of the year, making them a lovely addition to any home. They only require moderate, indirect sunlight and infrequent watering. Over-hydrating your African violet is one of the easiest ways to kill them, so like cacti, only water them when the soil is dry.

  • Chinese evergreen: This non-fussy plant can thrive in varying degrees of sunlight and requires minimal care. They often last for years and are known as one of the easiest plants to care for.


Nicole La Capria  Posted by Nicole La Capria on March 26, 2014

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