Uniqueka Davis- McKinney Discusses the Most Common Mistakes of New Plant Owners
New trends in interior design have led to a rise in houseplant sales among Millennials and young Gen-Zers. While several studies have shown owning a houseplant can boost productivity, lower stress, and purify the air, many of these newly purchased houseplants will die in the first few months. This is largely due to improper care and a lack of widespread knowledge regarding caring for plants. Whether it be under watering, overwatering, or improper plant placement, it is clear that many first-time plant owners need guidance when it comes to plant care. Uniqueka Davis McKinney, a long-time gardener and house plant collector, has taken note of the younger generation’s interest in houseplants and hopes to share her knowledge regarding basic plant care.
Incorrect Home Environment
One of the most common mistakes many first-time plant owners make is purchasing a plant that will not thrive in their home environment. For many plant owners living in apartments, buying a plant that needs full sun or large amounts of sunlight may be challenging as most apartment building’s heights will not allow for light to be accessible for long periods of the day. Instead, apartment dwellers should consider buying a low-light plant or a plant that will grow well in the shade or less than four hours of direct sunlight. Some examples of low-light plants include prayer-plants, ivy, snake plant, and pothos.
Overwatering/ Underwatering
It may be a surprise to some, but many new gardeners are unsure how often they should water their houseplant, leading to overwatering or underwatering. When purchasing a new houseplant, it is crucial to research the plant’s ideal environment and watering needs beforehand. However, a good rule of thumb when checking if a plant needs to be watered is to check the soil. If the first inch or 2.5 cm of topsoil is dry, it’s usually a good indication that the plant needs to be watered.
Not Turning Plants
A plant needs to be frequently turned for it to receive an evenly distributed amount of sunlight. If a plant faces a window and is never turned, plant owners can expect the plant’s leaves on the side facing away from the window to wilt and likely die. For this reason, many experienced gardeners turn their plants. ¼ turn clockwise each time they water the plant to keep consistent.
