Among the interesting hobbies that people have taken up while confined at home amid the massive lockdowns due to pandemic, being a plant parent is perhaps one of the most popular ones.
It makes perfect sense; plants such as succulents or snake plants not only add a touch of colour and personality to your living space, they can be therapeutic, experts say. Who would not want to feel more relaxed and calm just by having some greenery around, especially during times of stressful circumstances like the pandemic, right?
Being a plant hobbyist can sound and feel easy, but you still need to be prepared for the level of effort and commitment that comes with it. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
It’s all about the size of the pot
Apart from finding the right space to put your plants, you also need to know how big are the pots that you’re going to use. For some small plants like succulents, you can use small containers like tiny ceramic pots or, if you want a more modern look, slightly crushed tin cans. Just use a can crusher, paint these containers with gold or any colour that matches your home aesthetics, and you’re good to go.
When it comes to pots for larger plants, it’s better to go for the right fit. If there’s too much soil, the root of your plants may rot quickly because the ground dries up slowly.
Get your hand dirty with soil additives
Speaking of soil, you might want to read more about soil additives. The soil mix that often comes with the plants when you buy them is good enough, but you can try adding fertiliser and soil amendments to suit the needs of your plants.
Fittonia or nerve plants, for example, thrive on moisture, so you want a soil mix that can easily retain moisture, like peat moss.
Know where the light is
It’s also best to know how much sunlight do you get before you buy your first plants. Plants like snake plants don’t need direct sunlight, so you can put them inside your home if you don’t have much outdoor space. Spider plants, on the other hand, would probably be best placed outside.
Don’t buy every plant all at once
Yes, it’s tempting to buy a handful of easy-to-grow plants at once. But believe me, it pays to take things one at a time. It’s best to pick one or two plants that you like the most then expand your “plant family” when you’re ready.
In fact, along the way, you may accidentally kill a plant or a couple of plants, and it’s perfectly okay. It’s part of the learning process. It’s better to get the hang of how to take care of plants before getting more.
There’s no harm in trying to be a plant parent, too, along with hundreds of thousands of people. It’s a very worthwhile hobby and something you can surely be proud of, especially once you see your plant babies blooming and thriving.
