In think that any success I may have with indoor plants is due to my attitude of benign neglect. The more attention you give houseplants, the more chance that they will die from over-watering and over-fertilizing. Most experts agree that knowing how and when to water and fertilize are the keys to keeping house-plants happy and healthy. Do you water your plants by the calendar? Unfortunately, a plant's water requirements change according to its growth period, the weather, and variables other than time. An easy, if messy, way to know when your house-plant is ready to be watered is to stick your finger into the potting soil about 1/2 inch. If it feels moist—don't water. If it is dry—time to give it a drink. There are only a few moisture-loving exceptions to this rule, such as ferns or African violets, that need water as soon as the surface feels dry.
展开▼
