Outside In
The past 12 months have seen the rise and rise of indoor plants. Horticulturist Tammy Huynh shares her tips on how to help your ‘plant babies’ thrive.
Our new columnist, horticulturist Tammy Huynh, talks indoor plants and how to care for them.
Adding greenery to the home is one of the easiest ways to transform a space. Plants instantly provide interest and because they come in a diverse range of forms, colours, textures and patterns there are species to suit every interior size and style. Use them as a feature, to soften harsh lines or to simply cultivate an indoor oasis. Plus, indoor plants have been proven to boost your mood and increase productivity, so it’s no wonder you feel good around them. They do need care though – some a little more than others, but once you understand what they like, it’s easy.
POSITION
Most indoor plants grow best in a brightly lit spot, out of direct sunlight. While morning sun is generally fine, you will need to shield them from the hot afternoon sun as this can scorch the leaves. There are a handful of plants that will tolerate lower light levels – devil’s ivy, mother-in-law’s tongue or ZZ plant, for example – but even these perform better with more sunlight.
POTTING MIX
When repotting plants, use a premium quality potting mix. This is suitable for most plants, but for specialty plants like cacti and succulents or orchids, look for a mix specially formulated for them.
WATERING
Indoor plants are often over-watered, so until you become accustomed to the watering requirements of your plants, it’s best not to guess when they’re thirsty. To check if you need to water, invest in a moisture meter, or if you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, dig your finger into the mix to a depth of 3-4 centimetres. If it’s dry, give it a good drink, but if it’s moist, leave watering for a few days.
FERTILISER
To boost plant growth, apply a fertiliser suitable for indoor plants during the warmer months. Use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and always water in well. Don’t be tempted to feed more than required – over-feeding can damage roots and leaves.
PESTS AND DISEASES
They may be growing indoors, but indoor plants can succumb to pests and diseases. This usually occurs with the introduction of a new plant, which may be harbouring unwanted guests. If you do spot pests, they’re likely to be sap-sucking pests like mealy bugs, aphids or mites. You can control them with an organic insecticidal soap, but for sap-suckers like scale, you will need to spray them with a horticultural oil.