The most important element for success in growing a houseplant is moderation. Plants need an adequate amount of water, light, air and nutrients just like any other living thing. However, too much of any one thing can be fatal. Research your variety and learn its specific needs. If you have any unanswered questions regarding your plants, contact your local county extension office or Cottage Farms for assistance.

Start your houseplant off in a good mixture of soil and organic matter. The organic matter, such as peat moss, compost, or any other decomposing plant matter provides it with an abundance of nutrients.

Keep plants evenly moist, not soaking wet, but not completely dry. Indoor plants do not need to be watered as frequently as outdoor plants. Just because the soil is dry on top does not mean it is time to water! Stick your finger down in the soil. If it is dry down a few inches, it is time to water. If you feel any moisture, your plant is fine. Make sure any container you use has drainage holes! "Too-wet" plants can lead to rotting roots, which cannot only kill your plant, but can also make your home smell. If using a saucer to catch water, dump the water out as soon as it filters through the soil. Always water at the base of your plant and not the leaves. If you have a lot of minerals or salt in your tap water, filter these out before you water. Rainwater is an excellent source of water for your plants and it’s free!

Improper lighting is the most common problem among houseplants. Plants receive less light indoors than when growing outdoors. A south facing window provides the best sun for indoor plants. Indoor plants should receive 12 hours of sun a day and 12 hours of darkness, as a good rule of thumb. If your window does not get this much sun each day, try supplementing with a fluorescent or UV light. Just don’t get it so close that your plant burns! Some plants require a certain light-to-dark ratio to produce flowers, so research variety specifics on how to make your indoor plant bloom. Be careful when relocating your plant. Going from low light to high light can burn a plant or bleach out its leaves if not given a transitional period. High light to low light causes droopiness or leaf loss as well.

Plants need air. They take in CO2 and spit back out oxygen. But, they need both to remain healthy. Airflow also helps reduce disease. Placing your houseplant near a direct source of heat, like a radiator or duct, will not only fry your plant, but also speed up dehydration. Plants in windy conditions grow more compact and sturdier than plants grown in a complete absence of wind. Try placing a small, slow turning fan near your plant. If your plant likes high humidity, place it in the bathroom where it gets steam or on a rock and water filled tray.

If your plant is actively growing, it will eventually need fertilizer. You won't need to fertilizer during the winter months since your plant will not be growing as quickly due to cooler temperatures and climate. For fertilizing instructions, Click Here! Another great way to ensure your plant's health is to make sure there is plenty of organic matter in the soil as mentioned in the soil requirements. If using a potting soil that contains fertilizer, do not add a fertilizer to your soil until after the time period printed on the container has passed.

Just because your plant is indoors does not mean it is safe from pests. If your indoor plant becomes infested, the pests will multiply more rapidly than outdoors since there are no natural predators to eliminate them. Keep a close eye on your plant and a pesticide on hand in case you find unwelcomed guests.

Over time, actively growing plants need to be repotted. When a plant becomes root bound, you need to transplant it into a larger container, no more than double the size it was originally in. Only replant your plant as deep as it was in its original container. Taller containers drain better than short, long ones due to gravity so opt for one of these if possible. If a plant remains root bound, it will continuously dry out since the soil cannot properly retain its moisture.