5 things you should know before buying plants for your spaces
So, you’ve got the Spring plant buying itch, huh? What you need to know before you go spending all of your hard earned money on plants. Whether you’re standing in the plant shop pondering hard over a plant purchase for that plant ‘you just have to have!’ or sitting at home thinking, “Gee, I really think I should get another plant for the coffee table”, I encourage you to think before you buy!
Here is a list of my top 5 questions to ask yourself before you go on a plant-scapade
1. What kind of lighting do I have in the space in which I want a new plant?
If you have low to medium indirect light, don’t even bother buying a plant that needs lots of bright indirect light or some direct sun. And vice versa…don’t purchase plants that require lower indirect light for a sunny spot. This will only cause you strife in the long run and wasted money! #trust
With that being said, if you absolutely “must have” a plant that needs bright light in which you do not have, check out some these grow light options to help you out in the absence of natural light. (Not an affiliate add, just wanted to show you some lighting alternatives)
2. What is the average temperature of my space?
Believe it or not some houseplants are temperamental when it comes to temps. So, if your house stays on the cooler side, you’ll want to veer away from plants like Calatheas or Marantas or Orchids and a lot of other tropical houseplants. As these plants really do enjoy consistent warmer temps, like between 65-80°. And vice versa when it comes to plants that prefer cooler temps over warmer temps.
3. What kind of humidity is going on in my space?
Humidity plays a big factor in plant health and happiness. A lot of the tropical houseplants on the market prefer warmer, more humid environments, whereas succulents and cactus type plants like more arid or dry environments. If you want to know what levels of humidity are in your spaces, check out some of these humidity gauges. (Not an affiliate add, just want to help ya out!)
4. Will I have time to tend to this plant properly in addition to others I may have already?
Some plants are needier than others in their care requirements. Don’t forget to take that into consideration. I know a lot of us love having plants galore in our spaces, but I encourage you to be realistic in the amounts of plants you can tend to properly on a weekly basis. It will save you many headaches and heartaches!
5. Is this plant toxic to pets and people if ingested?
If you have curious toddlers or pets that like to munch on all the things, make sure to know which plants can be toxic. Unfortunately a big percentage of plants sold as houseplants have some toxicity to them if ingested. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have them in your home, it just means you need to be extra cautious with placement of them. Keeping them high on a shelf or hanging them out of reach from pets and kids could be a good solution. However, it’s understandable that some peeps may not want to take any chances and therefore should check out this list of 10 of my favorite nontoxic plants for the home.
Hope this list helps you in your plant buying adventures! Save a plant life, save your money; choose wisely, and as always, stay inspired by nature! We are here to help you with all of your plant needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments below!
