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4 Basic Tips for Aspiring Plant Moms
Did you know that approximately 7 in 10 millennials identify as ‘plant parents’? Loosely defined, a plant parent is someone who looks after plants with as much care and devotion as they would a child or a pet. This trend has really taken off in recent years and it’s easy to see why. Houseplants offer us a connection to the outdoor world and let us experience the satisfaction of nurturing life. According to the survey carried out by OnePoll and Article, other popular reasons for owning houseplants are: they compliment home decor, improve air quality, they’re trendy, they’re calming and they make a space look beautiful.
Image: thelittlelabs
Some of the most influential plant parents are women. A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and Justina Blakeney are all known to have a penchant for plants. As Mother’s Day is almost upon us, it’s a chance to celebrate every plant mom out there. One of the beauties of being a plant mom is that your experience can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. You can enjoy the company of a few precious plants or you can create an entire green jungle in your apartment! Each person’s experience will be fresh and unique. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you out as you get started on your journey:
1. Choose plants that appeal to you most
If you’re going to be sharing your home with plants, it’s important to grow the types of plants that bring you the most joy. Want to grow decorative plants that will boost your mood? Flowers are always a great option. It’s incredible how they can affect our emotions. Looking to grow something in a room without much light? Consider low light houseplants such as the zz plant and the prayer plant. Maybe you’re working from home and need to add some colour to your office - here are some perfect options from our very own indoor gardening collection. If you’re looking to add some calming greenery to your room, the possibilities are endless!
2. Consider their growing needs
Now that you’ve decided which plants you’d like to get, it’s important to do a little research into the growing conditions they need. This will help you prepare your home for their arrival, ensuring you have everything you need. If you are growing plants in a Click & Grow smart garden, then watering and lighting is automatically taken care of. The garden’s water float will indicate when it’s time for watering. If you are growing potted plants, it’s important to know their watering requirements and to keep a diary of when they need to be watered. Take care not to overwater your plants as this can be just as detrimental as underwatering them.
It’s also helpful to know which of your potted plants are sensitive to direct sunlight. This will give you an idea of where to place them. A general rule is that plants with lighter shades of green require more sunlight. Dark leaves usually mean the plant originates from an environment with less sunlight, making it more sensitive to direct light.
Room temperature is something to take into account for all plants, including those you grow in a smart garden. Many of Click & Grow’s plants enjoy living in temperatures between 65-75°F (18-23°C). To find out the ideal temperature range for your Click & Grow plant, click on the desired plant from our collection and then select the product’s ‘plant care’ tab. You can also get this information when you register your plant on the Click & Grow mobile app.
3. Don’t give up!
Growing plants is a labour of love. As such, there’s bound to be some trial and error involved and some mistakes along the way. Don’t give up, though! Be patient with yourself and remember that you’re getting better and more experienced each day. Growing plants in a smart garden is super simple, whereas potted plants require more attention. This also means you may make some mistakes in your early days of being a plant mom. Don’t be discouraged. It’s quite often the case that plant mistakes are salvageable. Don’t be afraid to seek advice from experts and fellow plant enthusiasts. We have covered a wide range of indoor and outdoor gardening topics in our blog. You can also use our forum to contact our gardening team with any questions about growing in your smart garden.
4. Share your success to inspire others
One of the fun aspects of being a plant mom is sharing your success with others. Whether it’s on instagram, twitter or a personal website, your pictures and stories can inspire others to become plant parents too. You can be proud of the houseplants you take care of. If you’re growing in a Click & Grow smart garden, be sure to join our community and share your success stories with thousands of other passionate plant growers.
Enjoy the adventure!