Hi, plant friends! My name is Kelli and my goal is to help more people become plant people (maybe even you!). As the founder and owner of Patiently Rooted, a company dedicated to spreading the word about the benefits of plants, I have always had a love of nature and plants, and now I want to share that with other people.
Plant Tips
Plants might seem overwhelming at first, but they can actually give you peace and promote calmness in your life once you have a routine down. I recommend people check on their plants every two weeks just to make sure everything is ok. This doesn’t mean you have to water every two weeks, since some plants only need watering about once a month, like snake plants or succulents. Checking on them every two weeks allows you to make sure there are no pests and if they need watering at all.
If you ever see brown or crispy leaves, make sure you look into why that might be happening to your plant. This might be because of a pest or overwatering. If neither of those things are happening, it is completely normal for your plant to discard leaves as it grows. Just like you shed hair, your plant also sheds leaves to promote new growth.
When picking out a pot for your plant, make sure it has drainage holes. It is vital to have drainage holes in order for your plant to live. This allows for water to drain out when you water it and gives the soil and roots the ability to breathe.
When watering your plant I recommend two different ways to water it. You can either water it on the top of the soil or you can bottom water it.
When you water it from the top of the soil, place it in either a tub or sink so the water has somewhere to go. Pour the water gently and evenly around the soil until you see it coming out of the drainage holes. You can leave it until all the water has drained out before you put it back to its home in your space.
If you decide to bottom water your plant, simply get a bowl of water or a plate with water on it depending on the size of your plant. Place your plant in the water for around 10 minutes so it can soak up the water through its drainage holes. This is a great option if your plants have been prone to fungus gnats in the past.
Either option is a great way to water your plants and make sure they are getting the nutrients they need.
Easy Beginner Plants
Maybe you are looking to expand your plant selection, but want something low-maintenance. Here are some options that can still spruce up your plant collection.
The cactus is a great beginner plant because of its care and fun varieties. They come short or tall and have different colors, too. They love either full or part sun and only need to be watered once a month.
The philodendron mican is more on the rare plant side but is still an easy one for people to care for. They have beautiful velvety leaves that trail as they grow. They love part-sun or shade and only need to be watered every two to three weeks. The leaves will curl and droop when they need some attention.
The peperomia watermelon gets its name because of its cute leaves resembling a watermelon. These are great beginner plants that love part-sun or shade and only need watering every two weeks or until the soil dries up. Their leaves will droop when they need watering, so they will definitely let you know!
Adding a new plant to your collection can be scary, but if you follow the tips above, you’ll be an expert in no time. Plants will help brighten up any spot and help you learn some patience along the way.
