What are the most common mistakes when growing indoor plants?

3 Ignoring the light

Light is another crucial factor for indoor plants, as it affects their photosynthesis, growth, and flowering. Different plants have different light preferences, ranging from low to high light levels. Some plants can thrive in shady corners, while others need bright windowsills or artificial lights. If you place your plants in the wrong light conditions, they may suffer from stunted growth, leggy stems, pale leaves, or lack of flowers. To avoid this, you need to know your plants' light requirements and provide them with the appropriate amount and quality of light. You can use a light meter or an app to measure the light intensity in your space, and adjust your plants' position or supplement with artificial lights as needed.

4 Forgetting the fertilizer

Fertilizer is another essential element for indoor plants, as it provides them with the nutrients they need to grow and bloom. However, many people either forget to fertilize their plants or use the wrong type or amount of fertilizer. Forgetting to fertilize can lead to nutrient deficiencies, which can manifest as yellowing, curling, or dropping leaves, poor growth, or lack of flowers. Using the wrong fertilizer can cause nutrient imbalances, which can also affect your plants' health and appearance. Using too much fertilizer can burn your plants' roots and leaves, or cause salt buildup in the soil, which can inhibit water absorption. To avoid these problems, you need to use a suitable fertilizer for your plants, and follow the directions on the label or online. Generally, you should fertilize your plants during their active growing season, and reduce or stop during their dormant period.

5 Neglecting the pests and diseases

Pests and diseases are inevitable enemies of indoor plants, and they can cause a lot of damage and frustration if left untreated. Some of the most common pests that attack indoor plants are aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and fungus gnats. Some of the most common diseases that affect indoor plants are powdery mildew, root rot, leaf spot, and blight. If you notice any signs of pests or diseases on your plants, such as holes, spots, webs, sticky substances, or mold, you need to act quickly and treat them accordingly. You can use various methods to control pests and diseases, such as pruning, washing, spraying, or applying natural or chemical remedies. You should also isolate the affected plants from the healthy ones, and disinfect your tools and pots to prevent the spread of the infection.

6 Skipping the repotting

Repotting is another important task that many indoor plant owners neglect or postpone. Repotting is necessary for your plants' health and growth, as it allows them to have more space, fresh soil, and better drainage. If you don't repot your plants when they need it, they may become root-bound, which means that their roots have outgrown their pots and are circling around the soil. This can limit your plants' ability to absorb water and nutrients, and cause them to become stunted, wilted, or diseased. To avoid this, you need to repot your plants when they show signs of being root-bound, such as roots coming out of the drainage holes, soil drying out quickly, or plant toppling over. You should also repot your plants when the soil becomes compacted, depleted, or infested with pests or diseases. You should choose a slightly larger pot with good drainage holes, and use fresh potting mix that suits your plants' needs.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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