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Gro Urban Oasis: Top 5 ways to avoid killing your indoor plants

They look great when you bring them home from the store, but how can you be sure your plants will continue looking good after getting home? Plants often fail to thrive due to these top 5 reasons – so the best thing you can do for them is to try and avoid doing these! Here’s what we recommend ensuring your plant parenting goes smoothly.

Over watering

Most indoor plants suffer from the effects of overwatering more than anything else. Typically, the saucer is to blame. Most indoor plants (except for ferns) do not want to be sitting in water, and yet a saucer can often lead to just that. Brown, soggy edges and water stains on your leaves are telltale signs, and it can be a problem as the weather cools, because they are not using as much water for growth. Make sure your plant pot has its drainage hold up clear of any reservoir, by putting pebbles or pot feet under it. That way they can still drain freely, and the water won’t run onto your floor.

Prevent overwatering of your plants by using these handy tools from Gro Urban Oasis:

Underwatering

If you’re noticing brown, dry, crispy edges to your indoor plants, then chances are you haven’t been giving them enough water. The first sign of water stress is wilting, or fronds shrivelling on ferns, and then the next stage is browning. If you've already let your plants dry out, you may need to resoak them in a bucket to fully hydrate them again. Let them sit submerged till all the air bubbles come out, then drain and replace.

Environmental extremes

The heater, air conditioner or fan can all cause your indoor plants to desiccate, and in some cases the movement of air can even cause physical damage to plants, especially if that means they are bashing up against a wall or blinds are bumping into them. Even cold temperatures through frosty windows can transfer onto your indoor plants, so coming into winter remember to move your tropicals slightly further away from any exposed glass.

Poison

Whilst you might not intend to poison your potted plants, it can easily happen. Built up applications of fertiliser than haven’t been flushed through with a good soaking can cause a toxic salt build-up in the potting mix. Too frequent applications of leaf shine and oil-based products can also cause a leaf's stomata to clog, and even using a chemical on a sensitive plant (like African violets, ferns and staghorns) can cause burning or death.

Darkness

All plants need light to survive, thrive and photosynthesise. Avoid placing plants in places where you can’t read without a lamp, and your plants will stand half a chance of catching the rays they need. Of course, being too close to glass can also mean they get burnt, as light changes form when it travels through glass, so try and find that golden spot that’s “not too hot, not too cold, but just right”!

Want your plants to be happy and healthy? Shop all plant care products at Gro Urban Oasis:

Psst, don't forget – you can Click & Collect your purchase for free from your local Westfield. Delivery is also available on all orders nationwide.

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