CARING FOR TRAILING HOUSEPLANTS

• Dust collects on the foliage of houseplants, preventing light from entering the leaves and ultimately affecting the plants’ growth. Plants with smooth leaves can be wiped clean using a soft, damp cloth. For spiny cacti and plants with lots of crevices, such as Sedum morganianum, a small artist’s paintbrush can be used to pick up any dust. • Dead flowers and yellowing foliage should be removed using clean, sharp secateurs, as not only do they look unsightly, but they can encourage diseases to take hold. • Too much water or a lack of it are the most likely reasons for houseplants dying. In fact, overwatering is often more of a problem than underwatering, as it can lead to root rot. For most houseplants, it is best to allow them to dry out slightly between watering, rather than sticking to a regime of watering once a week. A quick way to check whether or not to water them is to insert a finger 1-1¾in (2.5-4cm) into the compost and only water if it feels dry. • Cacti and succulents, and plants with soft, furry leaves are particularly vulnerable to rot, so it is important to avoid splashing their foliage with water. These plants should be irrigated from below, by standing the pot with drainage holes in a sink or tray filled with 1in (2.5cm) of water, then left for 15 minutes until the surface of the compost feels moist. The pot is then removed and allowed to drain. • Humidity is crucial for houseplants native to tropical countries, otherwise their leaves will dry out. Such plants will do best in the kitchen or bathroom, where the humidity is higher, or else the plants can be misted every 2-3 days in summer and once a week in winter. Another option is to stand the pots on saucers of hydroleca clay balls or pebbles that are topped up with water. As the water evaporates, it will create a humid atmosphere around the plant. • Houseplants should be fed during the growing season, from April to August, using a balanced houseplant liquid fertiliser, diluted in a watering can to the strength recommended on the bottle, or weaker. Specially formulated feeds are also available for cacti and orchids. Frequency of feeding will depend on the type of plant, so individual requirements should be checked.