MAINE, USA — According to statistics guru Statista, 66% of Americans own at least one houseplant and another 8% don't own one but plan to get one in the future, while the National Gardening Association reports that Americans have spent over $2 billion on houseplants and accessories.
With so much invested in houseplants, killing one feels bad but it's also a waste of money. That's where Danielle Perry, a horticulturist with the design firm Hayrunner comes in. She has some basics on how not to kill your green friend.
"Yeah it can definitely be intimidating but there's [a] few easy tips to keep them healthy and happy year-round," Perry said.
There are a few plants that the horticulturist said are her favorites.
Snake plant - Very low maintenance, low light, low water requirements. Great for beginners.
ZZ plant - Low maintenance, low light, low water requirements. Has beautiful glossy green foliage that looks great year round.
Spider plant - Looks great in a hanging planter. It will also give you baby plants.
"One of the most important things is right lighting," Perry stated. "A lot of people don't know what it means by direct light or indirect light."
The horticulturist said to look for any sign of nutrient deficiency.
"When you're starting to see crispy leaf edges. You're starting to see that yellowing with what we call chlorosis that's a good indication that you probably have a nutrient deficiency," Perry disclosed. "To fix that all you need is liquid fertilizer. You can just add a few drops into your watering can and then you should start to see those nutrient deficiencies go away within a few weeks."
Finally, the most important care tip is about watering.
"Oftentimes I see people over-watering rather than under-watering, oddly enough," Perry remarked. "You want to make sure your plant has good drainage. So the pot has holes in it. When you're watering your houseplants you want to make sure that water is able to drip right through. You want to water that plant until it is no longer dripping and that means you have full saturation."
Perry demonstrated her thumb test to see if a plant needs watering.
Put your thumb in the soil: a dry thumb means the plant needs watering but a thumb with dirt on it means the plant does not need water.
"This is what they mean by a green thumb, I guess, or a brown thumb," the horticulturist joked.
Not only does Perry take care of plants, she stages homes and offices so the plants fit and flow with the design of the room or building. Look for that segment soon on Gardening with Gutner.
