Fight the post-holiday blues with a bit of indoor gardening. Keeping your houseplants healthy and looking their best with a bit of grooming this winter is sure to lift your spirits.
Clip off any dead leaves as they appear. Use sharp snips or bypass pruner to make a clean cut that looks tidy and closes up quickly. An occasional brown leaf is not usually a problem but if browning continues, it might be time to take action.
Brown leaves are often caused by low humidity, which is common in many homes during winter. Boost the humidity in your home by grouping plants together. As one plant loses moisture through its leaves via transpiration, the neighboring plants benefit.
Add pebbles or marbles to the saucer or trays beneath the plants. Allow excess water to collect in the pebbles below the pot. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity right around the plant.
Move plants that require moist soil and high humidity into a terrarium. They are attractive living decorations and make caring for high-maintenance plants easier.
Over- and under-watering can also result in brown leaves, leaf edges and tips. Water thoroughly when needed, basing the frequency on the plants you are growing, room temperature and humidity. Tropical plants need more consistently moist soil, while cacti and succulents like it drier.
With lower light conditions in many homes, plants grow slower and may need less frequent watering in winter. Pour off any excess water that collects in the saucer which can lead to root rot.
Stop fertilizing indoor plants in winter unless they are actively growing. Applying fertilizer that plants don't need can cause root damage, leading to leaf discoloration.
