Hey everyone! I'm a new plant mom and I'm looking for all kinds of tips and tricks for taking care of my plants. I've recently bought some pothos, snake plants, an aglaonema, and a monstera. My plan is to water them at the sink once a week and let them drain before putting them back in their pots. I've also heard that misting them can be beneficial. Do you all do that? Does it really help with their care?
3 Answers
It's great that you're starting with some hardy plants! Just be careful not to stick too strictly to a weekly watering schedule—snake plants can go weeks without water, and overwatering actually killed mine! For pothos, you might get away with watering every 1-2 weeks, but it all depends on your home's humidity. Get to know your plants; they often show you when they need water rather than sticking to a set schedule. I also like using wood skewers to check soil moisture. And one more tip: propagating from your existing plants can be super rewarding! Don't worry too much about losing a plant here and there; it's part of the learning process!
Buying a grow light can really change things up! Each plant needs different care—don’t assume they all want the same treatment. I suggest you skip the watering schedule and instead check if the top 3 inches of soil are dry. A lot of sources out there can mislead you; it’s crucial to research each plant's specific needs. And seriously, avoid misting them; it can lead to bacteria or fungal issues. Just learn gradually about plant care and stick with one type until you feel ready for more!
Make sure to check the quality of the soil they come with. For snake plants, less is more when it comes to water, so under-watering is usually better than overwatering. I've found TikTok to be a useful resource for plant-specific tips. Just remember they likely need more light than you think! Don't hesitate to repot them if the soil isn't right.
Good point about the wood skewers! I never thought of using that to check the moisture.