Mahoney's Offers Suggestions on House Plants

Even the blackest-of-thumbs can own a few house plants and make them thrive. Often times, houseplant woes originate from choosing the wrong plant for your space. With a little guidance, that black thumb can easily turn bright green.

“Choosing the right plant for your environment and lifestyle are the keys to success,” advises Carrie Kelly of . “Once you have the right fit, houseplants can be easy.”

Plants need three things to survive - light, water and fertilizer. While these three requirements are usually easy to manage, those with a busy lifestyle may still struggle to find time to consistently care for their plant. If this is the case, the secret is to choose an easy-care plant that tolerates neglect.

Always start with light requirement when choosing a plant. Plants are grouped into three categories: full sun (4 to 6 hours a day of direct sun), medium light (2 to 3 hours of direct sun, or 6 to 8 hours of bright indirect light), or low light (no direct sunlight but some indirect light).

“It’s important to match the plant’s light requirement to the available light in the room,” adds Kelly “The right plant will be so much easier to grow, whereas choosing the wrong plant will almost always end badly.”

The next requirement is water. Oddly enough, a very common problem is too much water. Fix this and you often fix the problem.

Soil often looks dry on top due to evaporation. It’s best to do a “finger test” before you water. Stick your finger down to your second knuckle (about two inches) and pull it out. Use your finger as you would a cake tester, and look at the tip of your finger for signs of moisture. If it’s completely dry, then go ahead and water. If it’s damp on the tip, wait a few days before watering. If it’s very wet, don’t water, and allow more time between watering in the future.

After a few weeks of owning your plant you’ll quickly learn its drinking habits, and know when and how much to water without thinking much about it.

Your plant will survive simply with water and light, but fertilizer will make it thrive. Houseplants should be fertilized every other week in spring, summer and early fall. As light levels diminish in November, your plant will need less fertilizer. Try a liquid fertilizer to make this job even easier.

Even the most notorious of the black thumbs can enjoy a happy and healthy plant. But, should the need arise to bring home a new one, don’t hesitate to start over. Most plants are inexpensive and many people routinely change out their houseplants for the fun of it, almost like a floral arrangement.

For more information or general gardening advice, visit at www.MahoneysGarden.com.