Common Myths About Growing Houseplants You Should Forget

I’m so excited to host another GUEST BLOGGER on The Mint Chip Mama! Please welcome: Christina Duron!

As a gardener, you’ve probably heard all kinds of common myths about growing houseplants that, in the end, neither help nor harm plants. Every experienced green thumb thinks they have the best strategies for getting lush, beautiful results in the shortest amount of time. But if you’ve heard any of these common myths about growing houseplants, you should forget them.

Houseplants Need Constant Watering

If you’re new to growing houseplants, you might find the urge to water your leafy children constantly. After all, plants need water to grow! They’re thirsty!

Yes, but overwatering your plants can be just as harmful—essentially, you could drown them. Instead of watering at the same time every day, stick your finger in the soil and only water if the soil feels dry. If not, then leave the plant alone. Get a feel for your plant’s water intake, and set up a routine from there.

Plants Grow Bigger in Bigger Pots

If you’re growing a sizeable indoor houseplant, go with a bigger pot. But don’t think you can upgrade your modest plant to Jack’s beanstalk because you opted for the bigger pot. You want your plants to have room to grow, but they produce only the roots they need and no more. The best strategies to maximize your plant’s growth are proper watering, adequate sunlight, and enrichments such as indoor plant fertilizer.

Yellow Leaves Mean Overwatering

If you’ve come across some yellow leaves on your houseplant, don’t panic! They’re common problems, but too often, people jump to the conclusion that they’re due to overwatering. Yellow leaves can be symptoms of overwatering, but that’s just one of the many possible problems. Your plant could be getting too little water, not enough sunlight, or excess fertilizer—or perhaps the soil quality is poor in nutrients. There are numerous reasons for the leaves to yellow, so research your specific plant to better diagnose the culprit.

Indoor Plants Go Dormant in Winter

We all get a little sluggish in the winter, even plants! Growing houseplants in the winter can be a great way to combat the bleak, cold months of the year and remind ourselves of spring. There’s a myth, though, that houseplants go dormant when the temperatures drop and the snow falls, like a grizzly bear in Alaska. Winter offers less sunlight for indoor plants and usually a drier climate, so houseplants tend to grow more slowly, but that doesn’t mean they’re hibernating. So many people have been growing indoor plants for so long that some dubious myths and tales are bound to have popped up.

When it comes to your green friends, forget these common myths about growing houseplants and cultivate your own strategies and tactics!