Houseplant Care Made Simple: How to Keep Your Plants Alive

We have a Meyer lemon tree that, up until now, has been more of a hopeful experiment than a fruitful one—literally. Despite our best efforts, it hasn’t produced a single lemon. My wife and daughters decided to take a different approach. They drew pictures of lemons and set them by the tree, hoping a little encouragement might do the trick. Well, whether it was the extra sunlight, better watering, or just sheer determination, something worked—because this year, for the first time, it’s covered in blooms. We’re optimistic that this is finally the year we’ll get some actual Meyer lemons!

I’ve never been great with plants, but I know a lot of people love having them around. So, when I came across an article from Martha Stewart about common houseplant problems and how to fix them, I thought it might be useful to share. If you’re like me and struggle to keep plants happy (or even alive), these tips might help!

One of the biggest issues with houseplants is overwatering. I’ve definitely been guilty of thinking that more water equals a healthier plant, but apparently, that’s not the case. Too much water can cause root rot, and a good way to tell if your plant is overwatered is by checking if the leaves are turning yellow and mushy. The fix? Let the soil dry out completely before watering again, and make sure your pots have drainage holes.

On the flip side, underwatering is also a problem (which I’ve also been guilty of—oops). If your plant’s leaves are wilting or getting crispy at the edges, it’s probably thirsty. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Then there’s the issue of light. Some plants need lots of sunlight, while others prefer shade. If your plant’s leaves are looking pale or stretched out, it might not be getting enough light. But if they’re turning brown and crispy, it could be getting too much direct sun. Moving the plant to a better spot can make a big difference.

Pests are another struggle, if you see tiny insects on the leaves or in the soil, you might have an infestation. The article suggests wiping the leaves with a damp cloth and using insecticidal soap or neem oil to get rid of them.

Finally, fertilizer is something I never really thought about. Turns out, plants need food too! If they’re growing slowly or their leaves look pale, they might be lacking nutrients. But too much fertilizer can burn the roots, so it’s important to follow the recommended amount for each plant.

Even though I’m not exactly a plant expert, these tips seemed really helpful for anyone trying to keep their houseplants happy. If you’ve got any plant care hacks, I’d love to hear them—drop them in the comments!

(Source: Martha Stewart – Common Houseplant Problems and How to Fix Them)