Dan Cusack’s top houseplant care tips

Do your houseplants look blue, not green? Here are some fantastic (and playful) plant care tips from Dan Cusack at houseplant online store, Huisgenote; www.getplantsdelivered.com

Choose the right plant for the right space

This rule is for all plants, indoor or outdoor. Plants grow in different environments, so it’s important to consider light, humidity and temperature when choosing the plant you want to buy. This will ensure that we put them in the right space to ensure that they not only survive, but thrive!

Don’t skimp on land

I love soil! If you stop for a second and think about what soil provides us with (meaning literally everything we eat and see around us), I think you’ll agree, it’s pretty amazing. Buy the best soil you can buy, and if it’s for indoor plants, please make sure you use a Premium Potting Mix because the plant is going to live in this for a long time…

Watering can. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as you think

Yes, plants need the most water to survive, but it’s often not as complicated as it seems! A good rule of thumb to remember for watering is that most plants prefer more water, less often. What I mean by this is that plants usually prefer a big swig of water once every few days, as opposed to frequent little swigs. This allows the soil and roots to dry out between waterings, making the houseplants much happier. They need a break, man!

Get more peace in your life

The Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) is a fantastic indoor plant to include in your collection as it is super easy to care for but also super dramatic! The Peace Lily drops its leaves when it needs water, which I find serves as a good visual reminder that it might be time to water all your houseplants. For busy people like me, this can really help.

Plants also get hungry

Just like us humans, plants need access to vitamins and nutrients to grow big and strong. In the wild, plants thrive when they are in their native environment and have super healthy soil. If we try to mimic this, we can use things like compost, or liquid and slow-release fertilizers with our plants to ensure they have access to the nutrients they need to thrive.

Keep it clean, bro

Plants are always happier when they have nice clean leaves and luckily for us there are two very easy ways to ensure that this happens: 1. Give your plants a good rinse outside or in the shower. This will help by giving them a good soak (see above), and also clears the dust and helps control small critters that may be on the plant. 2. Use a spray such as ‘Neem Oil’ which will help keep your leaves shiny, and is also a good way to control the dreaded fungus gnats.

Indoor plants are also seasonal

Plants have growing seasons (typically spring and autumn), and as we get into the cooler weather in Canberra, you can also slow down your watering. Some plants may only need water once every 10-14 days. Funnily enough, the most common way to kill an indoor plant is probably by over watering! So, keep calm and try not to drown your plants…

Plants also love moving to a new home

Just like us, when we humans outgrow the house we live in, we look for a bigger space to settle into. Plants can also outgrow their homes and need to be repotted in a larger space. This is a perfect opportunity to use healthy soil that will give your plant access to fresh nutrients and fertilizer so it can continue to grow big and strong.

Look at your furry friend

I love animals, and it’s worth mentioning that quite a few indoor plants can unfortunately be quite toxic to animals if consumed. Many animals (like the cat I’m lucky to share my home with) don’t seem interested in plants, but if your furry friend is, please make sure you choose a plant that’s pet-safe, to travel to save. the vet!

Dan’s favorite plant at the moment

I love the Peperomia argyreia ‘Watermelon’. These have beautiful deep green leaves that contrast so nicely against red stems, and they throw delicate flowers on spikes so they are quite amazing.

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