Have you ever met someone who said they couldn’t keep a plant alive if their own life depended on it? Is that person, perhaps, you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lots of people avoid buying houseplants because they simply don’t know what to do with them after they bring them home. 

That’s where Bloomscape.com can save the day. They simplify the plant-buying process and offer detailed care instructions with each purchase. If you lose your instructions, you can always refer to Bloomscape’s online library of plant care guides listed alphabetically for easy searching when you need advice. In the meantime, these five essential plant care tips should help give you the confidence you need to bring plants into your home and reap the many benefits they provide. 

Plant Care Tips from Bloomscape

1. Avoid overwatering.

As natural as it is to assume that plants need water to survive, a surprising number of plants need only tiny amounts of water now and then. So if you’re watering them daily, you’re not doing them any favors. You could be water-logging their roots and drowning them. Make sure you read the care instructions for each plant and don't overwater. Snake plants and succulents practically care for themselves, so you definitely shouldn’t be watering them every day. Other plants may need much more water. Also, ensure your plant has drainage holes at the bottom with a water collection tray underneath so the roots don’t get too wet. Signs your plant may be overwatered include:

• Wilting leaves that are yellow or brown in color.
• Dropping leaves of any color.
• An unstable soil base.
• Brown spots on the leaves, which could indicate bacteria caused by too much water.

If any of the above occurs, stop watering immediately and refer to your plant’s care instructions.

2. Propagate with patience.

Whether you want to increase your collection of houseplants or maybe gift them to friends and family, propagating can be a cost-effective and fun experience. And it’s quite easy. Start easy with some vining plants like Philodendrons or Monsteras. The stem-cutting method is likely the easiest, but there are others out there. Here’s a rundown on the basics of plant propagation using the stem-cutting method and water:

• Gather your supplies: sharp scissors, rubbing alcohol and a glass or vase for the water.
• Rub your scissors with rubbing alcohol.
• On the plant you want to propagate, you’ll need to remove a stem that has at least one to two nodes on it and a few leaves (nodes are small bumps from which other roots can grow). Cut just below the node and place the stem (that has at least one node and a few leaves) inside your water vessel. 
• Be patient. It could take weeks or even months for the plant to grow roots; however, dipping your stem in rooting hormone before putting it in the water can speed up the process. Once the roots have been established, plant it in some soil and care for it just like you do the plant you took it from!

If you're making a purchase from Bloomscape, don't forget to use a Bloomscape coupon:

3. Make sure your plants have enough humidity.

This is especially true in winter months when the air can be really dry. Since plants typically come from humid environments, you should try to ensure that houseplants live in a room with 40% to 60% humidity, which can easily be sucked out of your home when you have the furnace on or a fireplace burning. Your plants might need more humidity if the leaves have brown edges, turn yellow or become crispy. If the plant itself begins to wilt, that’s another sign. To prevent this, keep your plants happy during wintertime by:

• Misting them regularly or even putting them under a light shower (as long as the plant doesn’t have “hair” which could trap bacteria).
• Grouping plants together around a water vessel to create a humidity pocket.
• Keep them in humid rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Invest in a humidifier.

4. Ensure they’re cared for before you go on vacation.

Taking some precautions before you go away can mean the difference between coming home to a healthy plant or a dead plant. The most obvious way to do this might be to ask a friend or neighbor to stop in and water your plants for you, but it might not even be necessary, depending on the type of plant. To care for plants while away on vacation, start by trimming dead leaves and removing any dropped leaves from the soil. These dead leaves suck up the plant’s energy and prevent it from flourishing. Next, give your plants a good soaking so they don’t dry out while you're gone. Again, however, this will depend on the type of plant, as some don’t need it. If a plant does need a good amount of water, make sure you have proper drainage at the bottom of the pot so the roots don’t rot while you’re gone. You can also boost the humidity with a programmable humidifier. 

5. Play your plants some music.

You read that correctly, and you may have even heard rumblings about it in the past, but research has shown that plants do react to music. In several studies, plants have flourished when calming classical or jazz music is played regularly nearby (not directly up against a speaker). In contrast, heavy metal and fast-paced rock music have caused plants to show signs of overwatering. Test it out for yourself. A little bit of music therapy might be the boost your plants need to flourish.