Did you just bid goodbye to a plant? It's not an easy task being a plant parent but with a few years of practice and determination, you can get the green den of your dreams at home. Provided, you don't commit the same mistake over and over again.
Check out these common indoor houseplant care mistakes to avoid for a healthy green buddy that never stops loving you.
Overwatering
The number 1 mistake most people make is overwatering their indoor plants. Just like every human is different, every plant is different from another. The common assumption that plants need lots of water to survive and stay hydrated is bogus.
Pro Tip: The thicker the leaves of a plant, the less water it needs. Succulents and Cacti have thick fleshy leaves because they store water. Whereas, a rose or thin-leaved plant will need more water.
Excessive Direct Sunlight
Using the human analogy (again), we need sunlight, but too much of it can cause skin damage like sunburns. Similarly, a plant needs sunlight, but excess of it is only harmful.
Also, the need of the hour indoor plant care for most species is indirect sunlight for only a few hours. A north-facing window is an ideal spot as it gives them sufficient light and shade to thrive.
Misconception that all plants are high maintenance
If there were many houseplant care mistakes to avoid, the most important one would be the misconception that all indoor plants need a lot of attention. Absolutely not!
Every plant is different; while cacti and succulents prefer to be left on their own; Orchids and Boston Ferns are high-maintenance indoor plants.
So, find some information about the plants that are more suited to your nature and schedule to ensure they don't die on you.
Believing the Green Thumb Myth
Do you have a PhD in horticultural science? It does not matter how educated you are in indoor plant care because parenting a plant is all about trial and error.
The common myth is that people with a green thumb are experts in this field and should be the only ones growing outdoor or indoor plants. Anyone (and we mean anyone) can care for a plant in their home, as long as they are fully aware and learn the houseplant care mistakes to avoid.
Constantly Moving Plants
Stability is the key to success! The same applies to indoor plants. Constantly moving plants leads to discomfort and a longer time to adjust to the environment. Regularly changing their position, soil or pot lead to adjustment issues. Thus, making you feel like a failure for not giving it proper indoor plant care.
Neglecting the Roots
Healthy roots, healthy plants! An indoor plant's roots need special attention as they are one of the most neglected parts. A regular check up on their growth, health, disease or rot will provide you all the info you need on the problems happening at the surface.
If the roots have overgrown, repot the plant into a bigger planter. If there is root rot, stop watering the soil for a while. Roots are the cause of many issues, and when tackled, they'll give you a smooth indoor plant care journey.
Unaware of Plant's History
Adding to the list of houseplant care mistakes to avoid- unawareness of a plant's history is one of them. The easiest way to become best buddies with your indoor plant is by knowing its history. If you know where the plant originates from, what type of soil is suitable for it and the temperature it survives in will lead you to make an informed decision.
Assuming Bigger Pot= Bigger Plant
The assumption that if you place indoor plants in big pots, they will grow bigger is simply untrue. Every plant has its own way and pace of growth. You can not enhance the growth by potting them in bigger pots, instead only by giving them proper nutrition and care.
This is one of the most vital houseplant care mistakes to avoid for a healthy buddy.
Gurnika Talwar is FNP’s marketing and creative content writer and has been with the firm since 2020. She is based in Delhi, India and has been in this field for 2+ years.
She started her journey as a freshman but since then has created content on several mediums. With blogging on gift ideas, food, gardening tips and whatnot as her primary goal, she has also curated content for social media and brand films. As a storyteller, she creates original, genuine, and relatable content to connect with the mass. Besides work, you’ll find her chit-chatting about movies or making sarcastic jokes.
The number 1 mistake most people make is overwatering their indoor plants. Just like every human is different, every plant is different from another. The common assumption that plants need lots of water to survive and stay hydrated is bogus.
Pro Tip: The thicker the leaves of a plant, the less water it needs. Succulents and Cacti have thick fleshy leaves because they store water. Whereas, a rose or thin-leaved plant will need more water.
Using the human analogy (again), we need sunlight, but too much of it can cause skin damage like sunburns. Similarly, a plant needs sunlight, but excess of it is only harmful.
Also, the need of the hour indoor plant care for most species is indirect sunlight for only a few hours. A north-facing window is an ideal spot as it gives them sufficient light and shade to thrive.
If there were many houseplant care mistakes to avoid, the most important one would be the misconception that all indoor plants need a lot of attention. Absolutely not!
Every plant is different; while cacti and succulents prefer to be left on their own; Orchids and Boston Ferns are high-maintenance indoor plants.
So, find some information about the plants that are more suited to your nature and schedule to ensure they don't die on you.
Do you have a PhD in horticultural science? It does not matter how educated you are in indoor plant care because parenting a plant is all about trial and error.
The common myth is that people with a green thumb are experts in this field and should be the only ones growing outdoor or indoor plants. Anyone (and we mean anyone) can care for a plant in their home, as long as they are fully aware and learn the houseplant care mistakes to avoid.
Stability is the key to success! The same applies to indoor plants. Constantly moving plants leads to discomfort and a longer time to adjust to the environment. Regularly changing their position, soil or pot lead to adjustment issues. Thus, making you feel like a failure for not giving it proper indoor plant care.
Healthy roots, healthy plants! An indoor plant's roots need special attention as they are one of the most neglected parts. A regular check up on their growth, health, disease or rot will provide you all the info you need on the problems happening at the surface.
If the roots have overgrown, repot the plant into a bigger planter. If there is root rot, stop watering the soil for a while. Roots are the cause of many issues, and when tackled, they'll give you a smooth indoor plant care journey.
Adding to the list of houseplant care mistakes to avoid- unawareness of a plant's history is one of them. The easiest way to become best buddies with your indoor plant is by knowing its history. If you know where the plant originates from, what type of soil is suitable for it and the temperature it survives in will lead you to make an informed decision.
The assumption that if you place indoor plants in big pots, they will grow bigger is simply untrue. Every plant has its own way and pace of growth. You can not enhance the growth by potting them in bigger pots, instead only by giving them proper nutrition and care.
This is one of the most vital houseplant care mistakes to avoid for a healthy buddy. 
