Joy of Plants - Monthly Inspirations

HOUSEPLANT CARE

Leafy Plants & Ferns

Year-round appeal
Basic Care is very easy

✓ Keep light (not too far from a window)

✓ Keep moist –

When: water weekly,
but less water in winter

How: soak the compost, leave 30 mins, empty any water from dish / outer pot

Tip: cut off any leaves that die,
to keep it looking its best

Tip: feed with Houseplant food,
for lush foliage

Cacti & Succulents

Slow growers
Basic Care is very easy

✓ Keep light eg on any windowsill

✓ A little water, occasionally –

When: every couple of weeks, Spring to mid‑Autumn
(they go dormant in Winter)

How: Pour some water into the dish / outer pot, not on the plant. Leave 30 mins, empty any water from dish / outer pot

Tip: feed with Cactus food,
for more growth

Orchids

Slow growers, with long-lasting flowers
Basic Care is very easy

✓ Keep light eg by a window (not in hot sun)

✓ Keep fairly moist –

When: water weekly,
esp Spring-Autumn

How: soak the compost, leave 30 mins, empty any water from dish / outer pot

Tip: cut off stems of
dead flowers – some Orchids
will grow new stems

Tip: feed with Orchid Food,
for longer flowering

Flowering Houseplants

Colourful, some scented
Basic Care is easy

✓ Keep light (close to a window)

✓ Keep moist –

When: water weekly,
but less water in winter

How: soak the compost, leave 30 mins, empty any water from dish / outer pot

Tip: cut off dead flower heads
to encourage more flowers

Tip: feed with Houseplant food,
for longer flowering

Insect-eating Houseplants

Weird & wonderful, eg Venus Fly Traps
Basic Care is fairly easy

✓ Keep very light eg on sunny windowsills

✓ Keep roots very moist, with mineral-free water eg distilled, boiled & cooled, or rain-water

When: water weekly, less in winter when they go dormant

How: top up the dish / outer pot with mineral-free water

Venus Tip: cut off any dead traps
after they've dried & shrivelled

Venus Tip: They trap insects for
food, don't touch the traps

Hanging Houseplants

Vertical interest!
Basic Care is very easy

✓ Keep light (not too far from a window)

✓ Keep moist –

When: water weekly,
but less water in winter

How: water slowly to prevent spills, let water soak in, then add a bit more

Tip: cut off any leaves that die,
and cut to fit if it gets too long

Tip: feed with Houseplant food,
for lush foliage