As a new plant parent, you want to make sure your plant grows happy and healthy. The first step to that is knowing what mistakes to avoid. Most of the questions we get about plant care involve one or more of the common mistakes below.
1) Underwatering or overwatering a plant
Arguably the most common mistake we see new plant parents make involves under or over watering their houseplants. Houseplants, like people, come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, not to mention the fact that their native environments often differ around the world. In short, some plants need more water than others and most plants need differing amounts of water depending on the time of year or environment they’re in.
Avoid under or over watering your new houseplant by doing a little research to find out how the plant likes their soil. Some plants prefer their soil slightly moist, meaning you’ll want to let the top inch or two of the soil dry out between waterings. Other plants, like Cactuses or Succulents, store water in their leaves. This means you’ll want to let their soil fully dry before watering the plant again. You might also consider investing in a soil moisture meter to help you keep track of the moisture levels in the soil.
Whatever you do, don’t freak out if you see the leaves on your plant drooping a bit. Often, new plant parents might try to overcompensate for a missed watering by drowning their houseplant. We lovingly call this type of thing “smothering your plant” and is pretty common. If you see your plant’s leaves drooping a bit or showing some other sign of under or over watering, remain calm and give your plant the recommended amount of water.
2) Assuming all houseplants love direct sunlight
This one actually depends on the houseplant. Some houseplants love direct sunlight but many will get sunburnt if placed in direct sunlight. To be clear, direct sunlight means there are sun rays directly hitting your plant (whether it’s outside or through a window). Before you place your houseplant in direct sunlight, make sure you know what the recommended lighting conditions are for your new baby. Folha Oasis provides detailed information on the best lighting conditions for each plant we sell but a quick Google search will also help you make sure you don’t do more harm than good by giving your plant too much sunlight.
3) Not giving the proper amount of fertilizer
Nutrient-rich fertilizer helps ensure your houseplant is receiving the right nutrients they can’t otherwise receive since they’re in a planter. In nature, shifts in the soil caused by bugs, weather and just nature overall perform this function. Without that, you’ll need a fertilizer to ensure your plants get what they need to grow healthy.
Don’t over or under do it with the fertilizer though. Over fertilizing your houseplant can be just as problematic as under fertilizing it in some cases. Do a bit of research to help you identify what type of fertilizer works best for your plant and how much fertilizer to give it at different times of the year.
4) Placing your houseplant in the wrong environmental conditions
Some houseplants are more resilient than others to temperature or humidity changes in their environment. Make sure you know what type of environment your new plant prefers and try to make sure your home meets those requirements. A common thing we see is people using a heater during winter to keep their home warm, but not realize that the heater dries out the air. In this case, consider investing in a humidifier to ensure your plants are warm and get the bit of moisture in the air they need to thrive.
5) Using unfiltered water on your houseplants
Houseplants can be pretty sensitive to the chemicals or minerals in unfiltered water. This can be a really unexpected and confusing issue if you’ve never encountered it before. You might see browning leaves or drooping leaves and think it’s just too much or too little water but in fact, it could be the water itself. If you live in a city where the tap water is less than ideal, you should really be using a filter to clean the tap water before giving it to your houseplants. You can also use bottled water if that’s easier.
Why work with Folha Oasis?
At Folha Oasis, we’re passionate about helping you create your ideal indoor sanctuary. Our curated selection of plants caters to every skill level, lifestyle, and aesthetic preference. We’re not just about selling plants—we provide expert advice, personalized recommendations, and ongoing support to help you succeed in your indoor gardening journey.
Ready to transform your space? Book a consultation with our indoor plant specialists today and let us guide you in selecting the perfect plants for your home.
