Common Errors New Plant Parents Often Commit
Navigating the World of Plant Ownership: Common Pitfalls and Solutions for New Gardeners
Growing plants can be a profoundly gratifying hobby, offering a fulfilling connection to nature. However, many newly minted plant owners can find themselves disheartened as their greenery fails to flourish — or worse, perishes unexpectedly. Fortunately, most of these challenges can be avoided with some knowledge of potential mistakes to be aware of. To deliver insights on this subject, we consulted experts in the field.
Plant Selection Malfunctions
One of the most frequent errors new plant owners make is choosing plants that don't align with their lifestyle or local environment. Amy Enfield, Ph.D., senior horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro, emphasizes the importance of being realistic about one's ability to dedicate time to plant care. She advises evaluating home temperature, light, and humidity levels before embarking on a plant shopping spree.
Starting with more forgiving plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, or pothos is advisable for nascent gardeners. Enfield suggests, "If your new plant is consistently struggling in spite of your diligent efforts, it may simply not be suited to your lifestyle. Don't hesitate to rehome it and try a more appropriate plant choice."
Overlooking Spacing Standards
An often-overlooked consideration is the appropriate spacing between plants. Brett Kessler, landscape architect and founder of Tract Workshop, warns that failing to consider a plant's mature size can lead to its demise. He explains that spacing plants too close together drives them to compete for vital resources — air, water, sunlight, and nutrients — ultimately resulting in the weaker plants losing their battle for survival.
On the other hand, overly separating plants can lead to its own set of issues, as plants thrive in symbiotic communities. Kessler elaborates, "In a community, plants provide each other with structure, shelter, and appropriately dense plantings can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds."
Potting Preparation Blunders
Potting a plant correctly is crucial to its success. Enfield cites mistakes such as using the wrong soil, opting for a pot that's too large or too small, or employing decorative pots without drainage holes.
Enfield proposes choosing a pot one to two inches larger in diameter than the current container when repotting. However, if the new pot lacks drainage holes, it's best to opt for a pot with drainage or add a drainage solution to the cart. Alternatively, keeping the plant in its nursery pot when watering allows excess water to drain away.
Neglecting Repotting Obligations
Plants eventually outgrow their containers, necessitating repotting. Enfield notes that if this isn't addressed, the roots become compacted, impeding proper watering and nutrient delivery. Signs such as roots growing out of drainage holes, slowed growth, constant wilting, or water pouring straight through the pot may indicate the need for repotting.
Forgetting about the Lighting Requirements
Enfield highlights another common oversight: forgetting about the lighting needs of plants. "Low-light plants do not mean no-light plants, and direct sunlight can scorch the leaves of many indoor plants," Enfield explains. "Understanding a plant's light preferences is key to its survival."
Neglecting Fertilization
Fertilizing both indoor and outdoor plants is essential to their health. "Fertilizing becomes particularly important for potted plants," Kessler says. "To replenish depleted nutrients, fertilize every spring, or every two months for houseplants." Those who struggle to remember to fertilize their houseplants might benefit from using a pellet fertilizer that dissolves over an extended period.
Overwatering Conundrums
Overwatering, a frequent blunder for enthusiastic new plant owners, can be detrimental to plant health. Enfield states, "Overwatering is arguably the most common cause of houseplant demise."
In severe cases of overwatering, the roots may rot. In such instances, Enfield recommends inspecting the roots, trimming away any mushy, brown roots, and repotting in fresh soil.
Dealing with Underwatering
Underwatering can also pose problems, particularly during the early stages of plant care. "Underwatering can lead to wilting, brown leaf tips, and stunted growth," Enfield explains. To address this, she suggests watering thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage hole. In cases where the soil is exceptionally dry, placing the plant in a dish of water and letting the soil absorb the water for up to an hour can help.
- New plant owners might avoid disheartening failures by selecting plants that align with their lifestyle and local environment, as suggested by Amy Enfield, Ph.D., senior horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro.
- Enfield further advises that proper potting practices are crucial to a plant's success, such as choosing the right soil, avoiding pots that are too large or small, and ensuring adequate drainage.
- Brett Kessler, landscape architect and founder of Tract Workshop, warns against neglecting spacing standards between plants, emphasizing the importance of considering a plant's mature size and the benefits of thriving symbiotic communities.
- In addition to these tips, both Enfield and Kessler emphasize the importance of understanding a plant's lighting requirements and fertilizing both indoor and outdoor plants regularly to maintain their health.
