Love spending money on plants but do not have enough time to visit the nursery? Are you a shopaholic but enjoy online shopping sprees? I totally agree that buying plants online can be a convenient way to expand your indoor or outdoor garden. However, it can be tricky to ensure that the plants you order online arrive healthy and stay that way. Shipping can be stressful for plants, and they may arrive with wilted leaves or other signs of distress. Moreover, plants purchased online may not be the ideal fit for your local climate or growing
conditions, making it difficult to keep them thriving. To help you keep your online plant purchases alive and healthy, this article will share some
secrets to ensure your plants thrive. From selecting the right plant for your growing conditions to acclimating them to their new environment, we’ll cover all the steps you need to know to keep your online plant purchases alive and thriving. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or new to plant care, these tips will help you keep your online plants healthy and happy.
Choose The Right Plant
Before making a purchase, it’s important to research the plant to ensure that it is suitable for your local climate and growing conditions. For example, some plants may require more sunlight or humidity than others, while some may be more tolerant of colder temperatures. By understanding the plant’s needs, you can ensure that it will thrive in your environment. You can also check with the seller or a local nursery for recommendations on suitable plants for your area.
Unpack The Plant Carefully
When your plant arrives, it’s important to handle it with care. Plants can be stressed during shipping, and rough handling can cause further damage. When unpacking the plant, be gentle with the leaves and stems and avoid pulling or tugging on them. Inspect the plant for any signs of damage, such as broken stems or yellowing leaves, and take appropriate action.
Acclimate The Plant
Moving a plant to a new environment can be stressful, and sudden changes in light or temperature can cause shock. To avoid this, it’s important to acclimate the plant gradually. Start by placing the plant in a shaded area for a few days and gradually introduce it to more light over several days. Similarly, adjust watering and fertilizing gradually to avoid overwhelming the plant.
Provide Proper Lighting
Most plants require a certain amount of light to thrive, and inadequate or excessive light can affect their health. Check the plant’s lighting requirements and ensure that it gets the appropriate amount of sunlight or invest in artificial lighting if necessary. Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn and damage the leaves.
Water the Plant Correctly
Overwatering or underwatering can be detrimental to a plant’s health, so it’s important to water it correctly. Check the plant’s watering requirements and use a well-draining soil mix to prevent water from accumulating around the roots. Test the soil moisture regularly and water only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Water deeply, but avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
Fertilize the Plant
Regular fertilization can help your plant grow and stay healthy. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow the instructions carefully to avoid over-fertilizing, which can damage the plant’s roots. Generally, plants should be fertilized during the growing season and less often during the dormant season.
Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid:
Some of us are so concerned about plants but still somehow cannot save the plant but if you make sure to look into the following points, you can obviously succeed in growing and maintaining the health of online-bought indoor plants.
● Not reading the plant description carefully: It is essential to read the plant
description and understand its growing requirements before making a purchase. This can include factors such as the amount of sunlight, soil type, and watering needs.
● Neglecting to acclimate the plant: Plants can go into shock when they are moved from one environment to another. It is important to gradually acclimate the plant to its new environment by exposing it to the new conditions slowly over time.
● Over or under-watering: Overwatering or under-watering can be detrimental to a plant’s health. It is important to research the plant's water needs and ensure that it is getting the appropriate amount of water for its specific requirements.
● Not providing enough light: Plants need different levels of light to grow properly. It is essential to research the specific plant’s light requirements and ensure that it is getting the appropriate amount of light.
● Not reporting when necessary: Plants need adequate space to grow, and not
repotting them when necessary can be harmful. It is important to monitor the plant’s growth and repot it into a larger container when it outgrows its current one.
Don’t stress too much about plant growth and its health just shower some like just like you treat your babies and you will be surprised to see them grow and dwell well.