It’s your freshman year of college. You’ve just finished unpacking your bags, putting down the sheets on your luxurious twin XL, and acquainting yourself with a couple of the other people down the hall. Suddenly, your roommate turns to you and says, “Want to go to the farmer’s market?”
Why not? So you head downtown to the little square bustling with life. Food sizzles on portable grills, music plays above the chatter of shoppers, and there are dogs everywhere. After petting every dog you can get your hands on, you spot a stall that’s teaming with life. Plant life.
Your dorm seems a little dreary, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t a plant spruce it up a bit, give it some color? You decide on a small plant with waxy looking leaves. It looks easy enough to take care of. You carry it home and put it in your window, then watch as it slowly dies over the next few months.
What happened? You watered it, it got sunlight, so why did it die? You wallow over how you failed as a plant parent.
Does this sound familiar to you? Because it’s familiar to me. But never fear, for I’m here to tell you how to keep your plant child alive and well!
Plants are a great way to liven up a space, get some fresh air going, and improve your mood. Some plants only require minimal care and attention. They are the perfect child for a college student! Here’s your beginner’s guide to caring for plant children.
Water
One of the easiest ways to kill your plant child is by overwatering them. If you’re not sure, it’s always better to underwater your plants than to overwater them. Checking the wetness of the soil before watering will help prevent overwatering. When watering your plants, you can create a schedule that best suits your plant’s needs. For example, I like to water my herbs on Sundays and Wednesdays.
If your water contains harmful chemicals, it could damage your plants. If there’s too much chlorination, fluorine, or if you’re using soft water, your plant may suffer. If you’re not sure about the quality of your water, you can use filtered or bottled water to play it safe.
Sunlight
Sunlight is essential to the wellbeing of nearly all plants. Every plant requires different amounts of sunlight depending on quality, duration, and intensity. For light intensity, south-facing windows provide direct light for the longest periods while north-facing windows provide limited light. East and west facing windows provide some bright light.
If your plants are suffering from a lack of sunlight, then fluorescent lights, compact fluorescent lights, and incandescent lights are all great alternatives to ensure your plant is getting what it needs.
Food
Plants get hungry, too. While they primarily need sunlight and water, they also need to be able to pull nutrients from the soil. When you’re potting or repotting your plant, make sure that you’re using soil that contains the proper nutrients. The essential elements required for plant growth are the following: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
When your plant becomes deficient in one of these nutrients, they may become pale in color, experience slowed growth, and develop abnormal coloration.
When you’re fertilizing your plants, make sure to research what kind of soil will best serve your plant, and always follow the product label instructions.
Do you feel ready to be a plant parent? Now that you’ve got the basics down, go out and get those plants. Best of luck managing your new little one!