Beginner's Guide To Plant Parenthood

I absolutely LOVE plants. Caring for all of my plants at home gives me so much joy, and I want to spread the love! I previously rounded up my top plant stores in Los Angeles, but wanted to also offer some tips for all the new plant parents out there.

A healthy, happy Philodendron Brasil.

A healthy, happy Philodendron Brasil.

Aside from plants, you’ll also need tools. Here are a few of my necessities:

  1. Watering Can // You do NOT have to have a fancy watering can to give your plants water, but it’s nice to have!

  2. Mister // Especially if you live in a dry climate, up the moisture for your plants with a mister.

  3. Moisture Meter // While you get the hang of how much water your plant needs when it’s time for your watering, this can be very handy.

  4. Fertilizer // Most soil does not provide adequate nutrients for plants, and will need a boost with fertilizer.

  5. Gloves // If you’re doing a lot of repotting, it can be nice to have a pair of gloves on hand.

  6. Lava Rocks // If your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole (most of mine do, but a few with succulents do not), add some lava rocks at the bottom of the pot to encourage proper drainage.

  7. Soil // Obviously, this is needed!

Example of a root bound plant.

Example of a root bound plant.

Here are a few things to look out for when shopping for plants:

  1. New Growth: A sure sign of a healthy, thriving plant!

  2. Uniform Color & Size: Aside from new baby leaves, having most leaves be the same size, color, and texture is always something to be mindful of.

  3. Pest-Free: Inspect the leaves front and back, the soil, and stems thoroughly to make sure there are no pests on the plant. Keep your new plant in isolation when you get home before adding it directly next to any other plants just to be sure that if there are any insects, they won’t jump to another plant.

  4. Roots: If your plant is root bound (AKA you can see the roots coming out of the bottom of the nursery pot), it’s time for it to be moved into a bigger pot. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing! Just keep in mind that you should bump up the size of the pot so there is more room to grow.

Crispy edges, yellowing, wilting leaves.

Crispy edges, yellowing, wilting leaves.

Here are a few common issues you may encounter or have to diagnose:

  1. Crispy Edges: Dealing with brown edges? Dry air, under watering, or over-fertilizing could be to blame. Try upping the moisture, waiting longer in between watering, and be a bit more cautious when fertilizing.

  2. Yellow Leaves: Older leaves on your plants may yellow and drop off with age, which is normal. However, if you’ve noticed a lot of yellow leaves — new growth included — your plant may be getting too much light.

  3. Wilting Leaves: Are your leaves looking a little sad? This could be a sign of too much light causing them to wilt.

  4. Root Rot: Like I mentioned above, having a pot with drainage holes or at least with lava rocks at the bottom will encourage water to properly drain out, even if you get a little too water-happy. Plants with root rot aren’t able to properly absorb nutrition from the soil, so be mindful of your watering!

A very happy plant!

A very happy plant!

Jacqueline Weiss1 Comment