If you’re considering adding house plants to your decor, you’ll find an array of options at a florist shop, including succulents. It’s crucial to know how to care for them to preserve them for years. If you’re new to owning house plants, the guide below includes essential care tips.

How to Ensure Your House Plants Stay Healthy 

Water  

Every plant has a preferred watering schedule, so learn about each species in your home to provide optimal plant care. Towering ficus, for example, flourish in high humidity, so consider using a spray bottle to mist the leaves daily. Or, add a tray filled with water and pebbles under the pot so it can soak up water as needed. Press your finger into the top inch of soil every week and only pour water into the pot if the soil is dry.

Many people set phone alarms to ensure they remember to water on a species-specific schedule. Generally, a lot of plants prefer watering when the soil is dry to the touch. You’ll know you’re overwatering a species if the leaves droop or if the roots sit in standing water, which causes rot and may kill the plant. Ensure every pot you use has a hole in the bottom, so excess water sits in the tray and evaporates instead of flooding the plant.

Soil

Replant pots only when their roots are beginning to grow out of the bottom of their current container. During replanting, use soil specific to the type of plant you’re working with. Cacti and succulents prefer sandy mixes to promote drainage, while African violets such as peat moss and vermiculite prefer leaf mold and bark.

Sunlight

Plant species don’t all thrive in full sun. Each variety likes a certain amount of sunlight per day that you can achieve by placing plants in different windows. Species that love constant sun such as citrus enjoy south-facing windows that get all-day light. East-facing species work well for smaller, low- to -medium light plants such as nerve plants, while west- and north-facing windows are great for medium-light plants that can handle periods of extreme sun. 

If you’re interested in house plants, Madison Avenue Florist Ltd. in Manhattan has an array to choose from. Their experienced florists offer fresh, top-quality flowers and house plants that express feelings like gratitude, love, and sympathy. If you’re unsure how to care for a particular species, these florists will provide tips. Call (212) 319-0242 or visit their website to browse their products.