Indoor-Plant Savvy

Paul James shares easy tips for houseplant success.

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Houseplants add countless benefits to a home. Aesthetically, they lend an air of sophistication. And consider the health benefits: a NASA study showed that houseplants can remove up to 87% of indoor air pollutants.

If you're interested in getting some green into your living space but you're starting from scratch, here's a little how-to from Gardening by the Yard host Paul James.

Figure A

So you've bought a collection of plants and pots. Here are some simple things to keep in mind when you transfer the plants to their final home:

Proper Potting

First, see that drainage hole in the bottom of the pot? Cover it with a mesh screen (figure A) to keep the soil from seeping out and getting all over your floors. And speaking of soil, a good quality, all-purpose potting mix is a must.

Figure B

When you fill the pot with soil as you're planting, you'll want to leave about an inch or more of head space (figure B) to leave room for watering the plant.

Figure C

Did you grab a cactus from the garden center? A good trick for planting it without getting pricked is to gently wrap a roll of newspaper around the base of the plant to use as a buffer between your hand and its needles (figure C).

If you're looking for a finishing touch, take some cues from outdoor gardens — top off your potted plants with mulch or small stones for a polished look.

Placement

Different plants need different exposure to light. Succulents such as cacti do well with a fair amount of light. With tropical plants you have more flexibility as they don't need direct sunlight. Over time, monitor your plants' progress to find the right place for them.

Caring for your houseplants

Figure D

Most houseplants meet their demise because people over-water them. The only way to know for certain if a plant needs to be watered is to stick your finger in the soil. If it's dry to a depth of one to two inches, it could use a drink. The exception would be succulents, which need water once only every couple of weeks.

And your tropicals wouldn't mind a daily misting (figure D) for increased humidity.