I really enjoy having house plants, but unfortunately, my home doesn't get much natural light. I recently picked up two small grow lights from Lowe's, yet two of my plants are still struggling, and one of them is on the verge of dying. Does this mean I'm limited to just low-light plants? Also, I have a question about repotting. How do I determine the right size pots for my plants? My spider plant grew out of its pot really quickly, while others have been fine for years. Pots can be quite pricey, so where can I find cute medium-sized pots that are budget-friendly?
3 Answers
As for pots, consider checking out thrift stores, garage sales, or even the Facebook marketplace. Joining a local Facebook plant group can also help; people often sell used pots at low prices or even give them away. Stores like TJMaxx or HomeGoods usually have decent prices too, though the selection can vary.
About your light situation, it can be pricey to get good growing lights, but if you learn what features to look for, you can find cheaper alternatives that aren't branded as 'grow lights.' I have several plants thriving under non-branded grow lights!
For pot size, a good rule is to keep your plant in the same pot it came in unless the roots are either coming out or very sparse—then you might need to go up a size. When you do repot, try to only increase the diameter by about an inch. This can get tricky if your pots are different shapes, though.
I get the depth issue—sometimes the sides look good but the roots need more space down below!
You're definitely not limited to low-light plants! There's this light from Bloom Lume that offers various intensities, and it's got a blue light option that promotes growth. For repotting, since your spider plant is a fast grower, aim to get a pot that's about 2-4 inches wider in diameter. If you're looking for pots, IKEA has lots of affordable options that look great!
Thanks! What specs should I be looking for in grow lights? I feel like I might have wasted money on the ones I bought.