But how do you get that balance right, and what is the secret to selecting the best foliage plants for your home, especially in the cooler months?

In this blog, we dive into the best foliage plants for beginners in South Africa, which foliage plants grow well indoors, and how to keep indoor plant leaves green and healthy.

What are foliage plants?

As the name suggests, foliage plants are plants grown and admired for just that – their foliage, or leaves.

With these plants, the focus is something unique in their leaves, like their colour, texture, size and/or shape.

Foliage plants add visual interest to any home, and also have a practical use – filling in gaps for a look of abundance and fullness.

Why foliage plants are perfect for indoor spaces

Flowering plants may be the obvious choice that comes to mind when thinking about house plants or indoor plants – they add a fresh, natural and complimentary focal point to a desk, a coffee table or an otherwise empty corner, instantly breathing life and possibly even a pop of colour into a space.

While there is always a place for these standout stars, foliage plants, when put to work, really do their part to add extra dimension that you often only expect in a garden setting.

An unexpected pop of red or purple, or an unusual shape or texture, add a layer of interest and intrigue to a space.

Besides the aesthetic benefits, think about the added health benefits of bringing foliage plants into your home. Purified air, for one. A calmer environment, another. Better sleep, too. Read more about the health benefits of trees and plants here.

Best foliage plants for beginners

There are so many foliage plants that work well for indoor settings. Here are just some of our favourites.

Alocasia Amazonica Bambino

Known for its striking dark green, arrow-shaped leaves covered with bold silver-white veins, this foliage plant is perfect for tabletops, shelves or as part of a curated plant collection.

Other foliage plants in the Alocasia family include dwarf elephant ear (Alocasia Gageana ‘California’) and regal shield (Alocasia Odora Reginula).

Peperomia Aargyreia (Watermelon Peperomia)

This striking plant’s fleshy leaves are covered with bands of green and grey, and they elegantly sway on red-purple stems, giving it the nickname ‘watermelon peperomia’.

Native to South America, Peperomia Aargyreia thrives in dappled light, making it well-suited for lower indoor light conditions, not unlike the jungle floor.

Calathea

Possibly the First Family of foliage plants, Calathea can always be counted on to bring the flare to any space it’s added to.

Our pick is the ‘misty red’, a dramatic beauty with deep burgundy undersides and painterly green tops that look like they’ve been dusted with mist. Needless to say, it matches perfectly to moody interiors.

Others in the family also worthy of a spot on your browse list are: Calathea Freddy, Calathea Maria, Calathea Rosea Picta and Calathea Moonlight, all available at Stodels Garden Centres.

Strobilanthes Anisophyllus (Persian shield)

A stunning tropical perennial that captivates with its vibrant foliage, this Myanmar native is prized for its ability to add dramatic colour as a standalone feature in pots.

The quilted leaves of a strobilanthes anisophyllus add a striking contrast to bright, indirectly lit environments.

How to keep indoor plant leaves green and healthy

Follow these guidelines for keeping your indoor foliage plant in tip-top shape.

• Water consistently but moderately, ensuring that soil has good drainage to prevent waterlogging and potential root rot.
• Dust can collect quite easily on plant leaves, blogging your plants’ intake of natural light. So get in the habit of removing dust from leaf surfaces with a damp cloth.
• Plant health starts at the root, so if you’re following the above tips but aren’t seeing results, check that the soil your plant is growing in is healthy. A nitrogen-rich fertiliser can balance out the nutrient content of nutrient-poor soil.

The post Foliage plants: a beginner’s guide to indoor greenery appeared first on Stodels.

If you can relate, your plant is probably telling you that it desperately needs a sturdy support structure that can also provide the moisture for it to flourish.

The answer: a moss pole.

Read on to find out what is a moss pole used for indoor plants, answer the question, “Do indoor plants need a moss pole to grow?” and learn how to train plants to climb a moss pole.

What is a moss pole?

A moss pole can be made of different materials, but the main structure is usually a vertical wire or plastic cylinder packed with moss.

But why a vertical structure, and what’s the point of it being packed with moss?

While climbing plants grow indoors in your home, their natural habitat would be outside, growing towards the light, often in a shady, humid environment.

To do this, these plants ‘climb’ up the structures they’re attached to (notice this the next time you see a monstera growing in the wild on an embankment, for example), and draw moisture and nutrients from moss-covered surrounding surfaces.

Moss poles mimic these growing conditions so your climbing plants can reach their potential as indoor plants in your home, not to mention become a feature plant.

Why indoor plants need support to grow

Because climbers like monstera, philodendron and pothos plants need a support structure in order to grow upwards, a moss pole is the ideal addition to their growing environment.

Without a support structure, these plants don’t have an easy surface to attach their roots to, or draw moisture from to grow healthy and strong.

Which plants benefit from moss poles?

Moss poles are ideal for vining and climbing plants such as monsteras, philodendrons, pothos, string of hearts, string of pearls, and flowering ivy.

Looking for more inspo to add low-light plants to your home? Browse these.

How to train your plant to climb

Your moss pole will live in close quarters with the plant that needs its support, and should be staked directly into the soil of the planter that your climbing plant grows in.

But before you add this neighbour to the pot, soak your moss pole thoroughly in water. The moss will do its magic, absorbing moisture that it will eventually pass on to the plant’s aerial roots.

Consider the positioning of the pot; you’d want to show off the leaves of the plant, so position the root closer to the front of the pot, with the moss pole behind it, acting as a support.

To train your plant to climb, use soft plant ties to guide and attach the stem of the plant to the moss pole. If the stem is long, tie it to the totem in a couple of places so it’s secure. Importantly, don’t force it – over time, your plant will attach itself to the moss using its aerial roots and continue growing upward on its new support.

Common moss pole mistakes to avoid

If you’re going to give your climbing plants a new supportive friend to grow alongside, make sure it’s one that not only supports structurally, but also nourishingly. Here are some moss pole mistakes to avoid:

• Using coco coir instead of moss It’s a misnomer that coco coir can be substituted for moss. Coco coir may look similar to moss and be easy to pack into a pole, but it doesn’t have the same moisture retention properties, meaning your plant won’t thrive in the same way as it would with moisture-retaining moss.
• Not using enough moss Your moss pole needs to be packed with moss in order to provide your climbing plant with an adequate surface to attach to.
• Your moss pole is in a dry environment Remember that your moss pole is designed to simulate the growing environment of climbing plants that would typically grow in the direction of light in the treetop canopy in a more humid jungle environment. Support this process by ensuring that your moss pole doesn’t easily dry out, sapping nutrition from your plants. Positioning the pot in an environment with indirect light is ideal.

How to maintain and water your moss pole

Use a spray or misting bottle to lightly spritz water onto your moss pole in the morning or evening, being sure to keep it moist and offering the best environment to your climber plants.

To maintain your moss pole, there are a few habits you can add to your weekly routine:

• To keep mould away and moss fresh, explore a 1:1 formula of water and hydrogen peroxide when spraying your moss pole.
• To improve airflow and prevent build-up trim moss regularly, as needed.

A moss pole is just one addition you can make to your indoor plant sanctuary to help it thrive. Here are some other top tips for indoor plant care.

Success with moss poles and more

If you’re looking to add a moss pole to your indoor plant collection, or need tips for giving your plants the right support, expert advice is always available at your nearest Stodels Garden Centre.

The post From droopy to thriving: How a moss pole changes everything appeared first on Stodels.

Not sure which are the best plants for offices with low light, or those resilient plants that survive air-conditioning? If you’re looking to add plants to your office to uplift the space, these are important considerations, as a happy plant leads to a happy overall ambience in a space. 

Luckily, you’re in the right place, as we guide you on indoor plants in South Africa that are cut out for office life.

Indoor plants that thrive without sunlight

Dragon tree

‘Thriving on neglect’ is apt to describe the dragon tree, or Dracaena Marginata, a tree that thrives indoors and adds architectural elegance to a darker corner of your office.

It’s resilient, surviving low light, missed waterings and busy schedules, while filtering toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from office air.

ZZ plant

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, or ZZ plant as it’s more affectionately known, is a bit of an all-rounder if you like to shuffle your plants around now and then. This plant is happy in dark corners or bright rooms, not to mention quite forgiving for those plant parents who occasionally forget to water them.

The ZZ plant’s glossy leaves add a distinct style to your office – a memorable conversation starter for visitors.

Plants that survive air-conditioning

Snake plant

Besides being a great fuss-free answer to your search for best indoor plants for air quality, the snake plant, or sansevieria, is drought-tolerant. This comes in especially handy in the notoriously dry environments created by air conditioning systems.

The snake plant comes in a range of sizes too; place yours in the corner of a room, on a shelf, or on your desk, for a pop of greenery that also naturally cleans the air by filtering out toxins.

Pothos

Pothos is another top choice among drought-tolerant indoor plants for your office that do well in air-conditioned environments. This plant prefers bright, indirect light, but can tolerate darker conditions. 

It only needs watering when the soil dries out, making it an elegant and practical choice for busy office environments. The plant has a vine form to it, so pot yours in a small planter and position it on a surface eye level or higher to let its branches trail down towards the floor.

Office plants that reduce stress

On tougher days at the office, plants do their part to ease stress and support wellbeing. Here are popular picks to add to your desk and help manage those stress levels.

Peace lily

Peace lilies increase humidity levels by up to 5%, lowering the likelihood of issues like dry skin, static electricity, and increased risk for colds. 

Peace lilies are also one of the plants that clean office air, absorbing toxins that are commonly found in office environments due to cleaning agents, paints and electronics. 

Result? With cleaner air, you can think clearer and feel less stressed.

Aloe vera

A local legend, aloe vera is a favourite among office workers thanks to its visual appeal. It also supports a healthier, more breathable environment in the office, clearing toxins from the air.

Place yours as a feature on your desk, or at the entrance to your office to bring about a calming effect on days when it’s really needed.

Office plants: pick yours to set yourself up for a productive year ahead

Now that you know about six plants that will boost health, wellbeing and productivity in your office, browse them at your nearest Stodels garden centre. 

The post 6 Plants that will survive your office appeared first on Stodels.

With some creativity and the right indoor gardening tips, you can transform your living area into an urban gardening sanctuary. Apartment gardening can be just as fun as nurturing an outdoor space; you just need to know how to make it work for you.

Read on to find out the best plants for small apartments in South Africa, tips for small space gardening, and creative ideas for making apartment gardening work for you.

Balcony garden ideas

If you are lucky enough to have a balcony, use the space to grow your own little oasis to enjoy with your morning cup of coffee.

DIY vertical garden for apartments

If the bare wall of your balcony gets good light during the day, it’s the perfect area to attach a trellis so you can grow creeper plants like star jasmine, mandevilla splendens or clematis. Their blooms will elevate the feel of what could otherwise be quite an ordinary space.

Pot your chosen creeper plant in a big enough pot or trough at the base of the trellis, and as it grows, guide it to ‘creep’ along the trellis and create a ‘green wall’.

Creativity with balcony railings

Looking for a bit more privacy in your balcony area?

Strategically positioned planters can take care of that. Use cable ties and metal ‘S’ hooks to hang basket planters along the edge of your balcony railing, prettifying your outdoor sitting area, and creating some coverage.

Here’s more inspiration for gardening in pots.

How to grow a garden without a balcony

This is probably the greatest hurdle that city dwellers face when looking to nurture their green thumb in a high-rise – gardening without a balcony. Good news: there is a range of small space gardening ideas for renters that don’t require a balcony.

Herbs to grow on a windowsill

The easiest way to start experimenting with apartment gardening is with an indoor herb garden.

With some good natural light, whether on a windowsill, shelf or mantel, you can add a pop of green to your space, and save on your groceries, too.

Start growing food indoors with these easy indoor herbs for beginners:

• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Chives
• Mint
• Coriander
• Sage
• Thyme

Plants to grow outside your apartment entrance

Depending on how much sunlight your front door gets (does it face an exterior or interior passage in your building?), you can style a collection of pot plants just outside your apartment to give it that unique touch of style.

Petunias are a great colourful option if your front door gets lots of sun, as are lavender, salvia, gazanias and marigolds.

Star jasmine works as a beautiful shade-seeking creeper plant to add interest to your front door. Another shade-loving option are hydrangeas, if you have enough space for them.

Apartment grow lights and watering tips

Maybe some areas of your apartment don’t get a lot of light for a portion of the day. This can work if you add low-light plants to these areas.

Here are five great choices for low-maintenance apartment plants that thrive in darker indoor conditions:

• Pothos – ideal for your bedroom or bathroom
• Spider plant – ideally positioned high up on a shelf in your apartment
• Snake plant – best for your bedroom, as it is a great air filter
• Peace lily – great added to any area you spend a lot of time in, to help lower stress
• Fern – perfect for a humid area like the bathroom

If you’d like to branch out, investing in some grow lights could open up your options to add more variety to your indoor plant garden.

They come in different styles: some with a stand, others suspended from a shelf above your plants. With modern grow lights, you can toggle between various settings (light brightness, timing, height), to ensure your indoor plants get the best care.

Small-space gardening hacks

Keep these pointers in mind when you’re deciding where to grow your indoor plants in your apartment, to ensure best results:

• South-facing windows are best.
• Use a wicking system (yarn or cotton string between a water source and soil).
• Combine plants with similar needs in one large container (for example, basil with cherry tomatoes).

Ready to grow your apartment garden?

Don’t let apartment living put you off from developing your green thumb and enjoying all the benefits of being a plant parent.

With these apartment gardening ideas, the right tools and accessories, and tips from our expert in-store staff, you’ll be well on your way to being a proud apartment gardener.

The post Urban oasis: Start your apartment garden today appeared first on Stodels.

Here are our favourite houseplants to gift your Valentine this February and show just how much you care.

Peace lily

There’s something magical about the elegant peace lily, with its glossy dark leaves and pristine white flowers. It’s said that their flowers symbolise devotion – does it get any more romantic?

Perfect for our humid coastal areas or air-conditioned Joburg apartments, this hardy plant thrives in low to medium light conditions. And, just like lasting love itself, it responds beautifully to consistent care and attention. Here’s a guide to getting it right.

String of hearts

Our list simply wouldn’t be complete without this heart-themed alternative to roses for Valentine’s Day. 

Native to our shores, the string of hearts is a trailing groundcover that perfectly captures the spirit of romance. Its delicate heart-shaped leaves cascade down like natural valentines, making it perfect as a hanging basket plant, or positioned as a statement piece on a high shelf. 

Even in our scorching summers, it’s remarkably drought-tolerant – ideal for those partners who might occasionally forget to water their plants!

Anthurium

Want to make a bold statement? 

Also known as the flamingo flower, or lace leaf plant, the anthurium‘s waxy, heart-shaped flowers come in shades of red that last for months, and are complemented by heart-shaped leaves, too. 

They thrive in bright indirect light, especially in coastal areas like Cape Town. You may be surprised to learn that their striking long-lasting blooms are actually modified leaves that attract pollinators.

This is a gift that makes a statement!

Patio rose

What’s better than gifting a bunch of roses? Gifting a patio rose plant, of course!

A list of plants to gift on Valentine’s Day simply wouldn’t be complete without this traditional swoon-worthy choice. They’re the ideal choice for a patio, but will can thrive indoors in a very well-lit area: think hybrid settings like a sunroom.

Chinese evergreen

For those new to plant parenthood, the Chinese evergreen is a foolproof choice that still brings plenty of style. 

Some varieties sport lovely pink or red variegation, making them especially appropriate for Valentine’s Day. They’re incredibly forgiving in indoor conditions and don’t mind if you forget about them for a week or two – though we wouldn’t recommend the same approach with your relationship!

African violet 

African violets, with their dainty purple, pink, or white blooms, are perfect Valentine’s gifts in our climate. 

These compact beauties flower year-round in indoor conditions and symbolise faithfulness in love. Their velvety leaves and charming flowers bring a touch of romance to any sunny windowsill, while being surprisingly low-maintenance. Share these tips with your sweetheart to ensure their gift thrives along with your romance.

Care tips for your Valentine’s plant

Remember to include care instructions with your gift. Most of these plants prefer well-draining potting soil and should only be watered when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry. Our summer temperatures mean they might need more frequent watering, but it’s always better to underwater than overwater.

These indoor beauties make meaningful Valentine’s Day gifts that will continue to bring joy long after the chocolates have been eaten and the roses have wilted. Plus, every new leaf will remind your loved one of your growing relationship – now that’s romance that lasts!
Remember to visit your local Stodels Garden Centre early, as these popular varieties tend to sell out quickly in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day.

The post Gift these love-ly houseplants this Valentine’s Day appeared first on Stodels.

Make it something to look forward to by drawing on the senses and creating an inviting winter wellness space you could catch yourself daydreaming about. Here’s how…

Botanical bliss

If spending less time in your outdoor garden is giving you the blues, adding to your indoor garden is an ideal way to not only create a wellness sanctuary, but allows you to get a little of your gardening fix.

Well-chosen indoor potted plants purify the air, and add a touch of vitality to any space. Our faves are potted plants like peace lilies (it’s in the name!), spider plants or snake plants, known for their ability to thrive in indoor environments. Add these to a quiet corner of your living room or bedroom at varying levels, carefully positioned to create your own winter wellness haven.

Have vertical space you’d like to fill? Include creeper faves like pothos and ivy on floating shelves to add an extra calming botanical element to your space.

These resilient green beauties will keep your spirits high even on the dreariest of winter days.

Herbal and happening

By now you know that herbs like lavender, chamomile, rosemary and mint have a positive effect on mental wellbeing, so definitely deserve a spot on your winter wellness wishlist.

Keeping a small rosemary or mint pot plant on your kitchen sill means you’ll have a constant supply of these herbs to add a subtle, calming aroma to your home. Besides these classics, gathering a few flowers from your chamomile plant for a home-made brew means you’ll always have a go-to remedy for insomnia, if this is something that plagues you.

Lavender is better suited to being grown in a larger pot, but don’t let that stop you from snipping a few sprigs to make the most of their flowers’ and leaves’ calming powers. To really embrace them, create your own linen spray to spritz on a cushion case or bed spread using distilled water, rubbing alcohol, lavender essential oil and fresh or dried lavender.

Breathe in relaxation

Nothing sets the mood for winter wellness quite like the subtle flicker of candlelight. 

And with the range of scented Yankee Candles to choose from at Stodels, the toughest decision you face is which intoxicatingly beautiful aroma you want to be enveloped in next! 

A mental escape from the winter gloom to a palm-fringed beach? Coconut Splash ticks the box.
Something a bit more cosy – think Christmas in July? Put Cinnamon Stick on your shopping list.

Create a cosy ambience in your indoor sanctuary by strategically placing candles around your space. Not only will they add a touch of warmth to your home, but they’ll also soothe your senses, making those long winter nights more bearable.

(Vitamin) C for citrus

Herbs aren’t the only plant from your kitchen garden that play a key role in your winter wellness. 

If you’re already brewing tea with mint or chamomile, up your immunity (and add a delicious flavour dimension) with lemon. It’s the season for it!

For an added boost of vitamin C and freshness, squeeze a hint of lemon along with some honey into your tea. Not only will lemon juice invigorate your senses, it’ll also boost your immune system, keeping those winter sniffles at bay. 

To prolong the citrussy infusion, add a slice or two of lemon to your cuppa.

Ready. Set. Chill.

Scented candles? Check.
Calm-inducing plants and herbs? Check.
Fresh lemons plucked from your garden? Check.

All that’s left to do is press play on your favourite Zen tracks, light those candles and recharge your mental and physical batteries…

Your local Stodels Garden Centre has practically all you need to pull together an inviting indoor winter wellness sanctuary that can have you unwinding for hours. 

Western Cape customers, you don’t even need to leave the warm comfort of your home to get your essentials; shop indoor plants, herbs and candles online. 

The post Create a winter wellness indoor sanctuary appeared first on Stodels.

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If you’ve been slacking on your plant-care game, or you’ve been on top of it but are still not getting your desired results, bookmark this list of the most common issues with houseplants and their solutions. 

1. My plant’s roots are turning black and rotting

Possible cause: Overwatering. 

Excess water and poor drainage can do plenty of damage to your indoor plants.

Solution: Try the following to prevent waterlogged soil and save your overwatered plant from serious damage:

• Use a skewer to poke holes in the soil and give it some much-needed breathing room.
• Repot your plant using fresh, well-draining potting soil and feed it with Efekto Nitrosol.
• Find out how often your specific plant should be watered and stick to these guidelines.

2. My plant won’t grow

Possible cause #1: Your plant pot may be too small.

Solution: Repot the plant in a pot that’s about 5cm larger in diameter than the current pot.

Possible cause #2: Nutritional deficiency.

Solution: In order to grow and reproduce efficiently, plants require the right amount of nutrients. Feed your houseplants with an all-purpose plant food that contains macroelements and microelements, such as Seagro.

3. My plant’s leaves are sticky, deformed and turning yellow.

Possible cause: Red spider mites. These tiny but vicious spiders are hard to see but easily identified by the little droplets of water trapped in tiny webs on the underside of leaves after watering.

Solution:

• Spray canola oil or red spider mite spray on the underside of leaves.
• Spider mites hate cold water, so deter them by spraying your plant twice a day with cold water, ensuring it hits the undersides of the leaves and any other hiding places.

4. My plants have brown and brittle tips

Possible cause: If you spot dead brown tissue on the tips of the leaves, it could mean that the environment is too dry for your plant.

Solution:

• Place your pot plants on top of a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it will help to create humidity for the plants.
• Regularly mist the leaves with a gentle spray.
• Move your plant to a part of the house with high humidity, such as the bathroom.

5. There is a powdery, fungal growth on my plant’s leaves

Possible cause #1: Powdery mildew (a plant disease). Your plants can develop this fungal growth if they are in an environment with high humidity and poor air circulation because this can be a breeding ground for disease.

Solution:

• Nurse your plants back to health by picking off the infected leaves and improving the air circulation around them by, for example, placing them near open windows.
• Place plants in a well-ventilated room to maintain their health.

Possible cause #2: Mealybug. These common pests look like pieces of cotton stuck to the leaves of your indoor plants.

Solution: Treat your plant by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the waxy coating of mealybugs, then spray thoroughly with Efekto Malasol or a home-made pest repellent – just mix two cloves of roughly chopped garlic, half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, a few drops of cooking oil and a few drops of dishwashing liquid, mix with water and add to a spray bottle.

6. My plant’s leaves are drooping

Possible cause: Lack of light. For your houseplants to remain healthy, they require ample light to aid their growth. If the plant’s leaves are drooping or cupping upwards (or if the plant as a whole is visibly bending towards the light), it may not be receiving sufficient light.

Solution: 

• Consult the plant’s label and follow the care guide, as different houseplants vary in their light requirements. You can also google its requirements if you no longer have the label.
• Move the plant to a different spot with better light, such as a windowsill.
• Rotate your plants often to avoid lopsided growth, and remove any barriers to light reaching your plants, such as blinds and sheer curtains.
• If you have limited light coming into your home, grow indoor plants that are better suited to low or medium light, such as peace lilies and ferns.

For more expert advice pop by your nearest Stodels Garden Centre to chat to our nurserymen. 

The post Solutions for 6 Common Houseplant Problems appeared first on Stodels.

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Here are some of the most common problems with houseplants, and what you can do to help solve them.

1. My plant’s roots are turning black and rotting

Possible cause: Overwatering. Excess water and poor drainage can do plenty of damage to your indoor plants.

Solution: Try the following to prevent waterlogged soil and save your overwatered plant from serious damage:

• Use a skewer to poke holes in the soil and aerate it.
  
• Repot your plant using fresh potting soil with drainage holes and feed it with Nitrosol.
  
• Find out how often your specific plant should be watered and stick to these guidelines.
  

2. My plant won’t grow

Possible cause #1: Your plant may be too big for its current pot.

Solution: Repot the plant into a pot that is about 5cm larger in diameter than its current pot.

Possible cause #2: Nutritional deficiency.

Solution: In order to grow and reproduce efficiently, plants require the right amount of nutrients. Feed your houseplants with an all-purpose plant food that contains macroelements and microelements, such as Seagro or similar products, which you can find in stores (or on our online shop – deliveries in Cape Town only).

3. My plant’s leaves are sticky, misshapen and turning yellow

Possible cause: Red spider mites. These tiny but vicious spiders are hard to see but easily identified by the little droplets of water trapped in tiny webs on the underside of the leaf after watering.

Solution: 

• Spray canola oil or red spider mite spray on the underside of leaves.
  
• Spider mites hate cold water, so deter them by spraying your plant twice a day with cold water, ensuring it hits the undersides of the leaves and any other hiding places.
  

4. My plants have brown and brittle tips

Possible cause: If you spot dead, brown tissue on the tips of the leaves, it could mean that the environment is too dry for your plant.

Solution:

• Place your pot plants on top of a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water. When the water evaporates, it will help to create humidity for the plants.
  
• Regularly mist the leaves with a gentle spray.
  
• Move your plant to a part of the house with high humidity, such as the bathroom.
  

5. There is a powdery, fungal growth on my plant’s leaves

Possible cause #1: Powdery mildew (a plant disease). If your plants are in an environment with high humidity and poor air circulation, it can become a breeding ground for disease.

Solution: 

• Nurse your plants back to health by picking off the infected leaves and improving the air circulation around them by, for example, placing them near open windows.
  
• Place plants in a well-ventilated room to maintain their health.
  

Possible cause #2: Mealybug. These common pests look like pieces of cotton stuck to the leaves of your indoor plants. 

Solution: Treat your plant by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the waxy coating of mealybugs, then spray thoroughly with Efekto Malasol or a home-made pest repellent – just mix garlic, a cup of cooking oil and a little dishwashing liquid blended with water, and add to a spray bottle.

6. My plant’s leaves are drooping

Possible cause: Lack of light. 

For your houseplants to remain healthy, they require ample light to aid their growth. If the plant’s leaves are drooping or cupping upwards, or if it is visibly bending towards the light, it may not be receiving sufficient light.

Solution: 

• • Consult the plant’s label and follow the care guide, as different houseplants vary in their light requirements. You can also google its requirements if you no longer have the label.
    
  • Move the plant to a different spot with better light, such as a windowsill.
    
  • Rotate your plants often to avoid lopsided growth, and remove any barriers to light reaching your plants, such as blinds and sheer curtains.
    
  • If you have limited light coming into your home, grow indoor plants that are better suited to low or medium light, such as peace lilies and ferns.

The post 6 Common houseplant problems – solved! appeared first on Stodels.

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There’s no getting around it: plants need light! A plant will not thrive in a room that doesn’t have much (or any!) natural light. Outdoors, light is bouncing from all angles (even in the shade), whereas indoors, light is typically only coming from one direction (the window). Identify how much natural light is available and choose your plant accordingly. 

Bright light (or full sun) means there is no barrier between the plant and the light source, for example a sunny, north-facing windowsill. Here, a plant will receive bright and direct light. Plants such as palms and succulents thrive in these conditions. 

Medium (or filtered) light can also be referred to as dappled sunlight and refers to light that has partial obstruction such as sheer curtains, trees or buildings. Plants that thrive in shady conditions (monstera and ferns, for example) enjoy medium light conditions.  

Low light refers to a position which receives no direct sunlight. Only a few plants are able to survive – but not necessarily thrive – in these conditions, including the ZZ plant and pothos. 

How should I water my indoor plants? 

While different plants have different watering requirements (and it’s worth getting acquainted with each plant’s individual needs), the general rule of thumb is to water thoroughly once the top few centimetres of soil are dry. Water until the water runs out the bottom of the pot.  

Keep in mind that small pots will dry out quickly and will need more frequent watering, whereas larger pots need watering less frequently. Finding the right balance of moist versus dry is the challenge of keeping happy and healthy houseplants!  

What container should I use for my indoor plant? 

The most important rule for indoor plants is never to use pots that don’t have at least one drainage hole at the bottom. Plants with wet feet will start showing signs of strain very quickly. 

A plastic nursery container can be held inside a decorative pot or planter, and can really enhance the beauty of the plant. 

Place your container (with drainage holes) on a tray with about 3cm of aquarium gravel or, similarly, fill the decorative container with around 3cm of gravel and place the drainage container on top. That way, water collects in the gravel without wetting the plants feet, and evaporates around the plant, making the surrounding air a bit more humid, a condition indoor plants thrive in. 

Why does my indoor plant have pests?

Indoor environments (high humidity and reduced air circulation) lend themselves to pest infestations. Inspect your plants regularly – every two weeks or so – for signs of pest infestation. In particular, be sure to examine under the leaves, which is where a number of bugs tend to accumulate. 

Plants with thin leaves are susceptible to spider mites and whiteflies, whereas thicker leaves tend to attract scale or mealy bugs. If you’re unsure about the pests that have set up camp on your plant, ask a sales consultant at your local Stodels Garden Centre for assistance. 

What indoor plant should I start with? 

Floor plants to start with:

• Dracaena marginata (dragon trees)
• Ficus (both the large and small-leaved varieties)
• Sansevieria (mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant) 
• Spathiphyllum (peace lily) 
• Umbrella plants
• Avoid bird of paradise, bamboo, palm trees and ferns, unless you can provide very good light and high additional humidity year-round.

Window and table plants to start with include: 

• Kalanchoes
• Cane-stem begonias
• African violets
• Orchids (Moth orchids are fairly easy, but only bloom once or twice a year; complement them by surrounding them with attractive foliage plants.)
• Philodendron (sweetheart plant)
• Maranta (prayer plants)
• Crassula (jade plant)
• Zamioculcas (ZZ plant)
• Beaucarnea recurvata (ponytail palm)

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