This is a real thing. It's like the stages of life. As you feel more confident, you step up to something bigger and more challenging.
In this blog, we will go over the plants I purchased that I didn't murder when I gained more confidence in my plant-parenting abilities. As always, mistakes can definitely be made, and everyone provides a different environment for their plants that means what is hard for some is easy for others. But let's try this out and see if you agree!
-
Ficus. These, again aren't hard to care for, but they definitely weren't what I started with. Without the right levels of light or water, they basically chuck a tanty and drop all their leaves, leaving you with a stupid stick.
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Bright. I'm not saying yeet them outside in the sun all day, I am saying find the sunniest place in your house and make sure you rotate them and they live their best lives lapping up the filtered sun. During the warmer seasons you can leave them outside if you don't have much light in your house - but we recommend you do have light if this is the plant you want
WATERING REQUIREMENTS: They love to be watered on a pretty strict schedule. In the colder seasons, you need to adapt to a schedule. This goes for Fiddle Leaf Figs, rubber plants etc etc. They like having their soil a little damp but not soggy, meaning even if your routine is once a week they are flushed through. Again - where you keep them has a bearing on the routine. This is why I put them in 'intermediate', because sometimes I water my plants at home.... whenever it happens, I guess!
-
String Of... Anything. Yes, they seem easy to many - but to those who don't have super sunny window ledges or balconies, these can be a nightmare to keep as an 'indoor' plant. String of Pearls, String of Turtles, String of Dolphins are all super rewarding and stunning succulents. But they require a lot of some things and very little of others.
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Lots. Lots and lots. Bright light, indirect light, afternoon light. You name it. They flourish in the warmer weather, because yes - they're succulents! In winter they aren't frost tolerant either, so you have to try and juggle the sunshine with the immense cold, and that can be challenging.
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Very little. You can hose them down when they're bone dry, and they have definite tells of shrivelling when they are thirsty. They are far less forgiving if they are over watered than under, as they will turn to mush if they don't drain properly or get enough sun to dry out.
-
Begonia. Begonia are stunning - and there's so many different types! From the Angel Wings to the Escargot, they are a rewarding plant... when they're looked after correctly. I have murdered many-a-Begonia, and it's because I keep trying to keep them inside! When they don't dry out after a watering, their leaves are very susceptible to powdery mildew. This is an airborne spreading fungus, and you really don't want your plants to suffer that fate.
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Begonias love a sunny pozzie in your home or on the deck. They don't deal well with cold, and I honestly don't blame them. I keep all of mine on a window ledge if they can't be outside, and they quite literally grow towards the light. I have to rotate them all the time!
WATER REQUIREMENTS: It is imperative you let your Begonia dry out between watering. they detest having wet feet, and can be quite prone to root rot if not planted into a well draining soil that doesn't hold too much moisture As mentioned above, if the leaves get wet but do not get a chance to dry out, the powdery mildew may set in and you'll be in for a horrible time.
-
Syngonium. I killed my first like, 10 of these. I was young, inexperienced, and had very little light in my house. I also didn't know they like to vine, and that was a shocker to me. But, I have learnt that while they sometimes up and die after doing so well for so long, there are ways to get around it.
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: These babies are relatively versatile when it comes to light. they thrive in bright, indirect light but they can also survive in low light, with slower growth. This means you don't have to cram them on the window ledge with everyone else, you can have them on the counter, the TV unit... anywhere that gets filtered light!
WATER REQUIREMENTS: These guys also don't love wet feet - they love a thorough draining and to make sure they aren't sitting in any water. They will droop when they're thirsty, but perk back up very quickly.
-
Alocasia. Yeah, some people find them very easy and some people cast them outside like they're pariahs. BUT that is dependant on the type! I have a Wentii outside I ignore and it's ready to feast on my pets, yet my Red Secret cost me actual money and just dropped dead. So, you know, it can happen to us all!
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: This can vary between different types of Alocasia, believe it or not. Some thrive in low light, as they grow naturally under the canopies of larger plants, and some love the sunshine. Commonly, medium indirect light with a good amount of humidity is ideal. If you have a humidifier, this is really helpful. Just ensure it's not kept too close! Alternatively, you can keep them in mini greenhouses when it's particularly cold.
WATER REQUIREMENTS: They like to be kept damp, but not incredibly wet. This is a strange statement, because the tell of over watering is the yellowing of leaves. but ironically, they like to be kept damp! This just means when you pop a finger in the soil you can feel the slightest bit of moisture. Many mistakes have been made when there has been confusion in regards to what 'damp' or 'moist' actually mean!
Again, these don't mean the same thing for everyone, it is all from personal experience as well as the light and water requirements for plants being kept solely indoors. Next time we will get to the hard plants - and let me tell you, I am sure there'll be a lot of common ground there!
Thanks for reading! Email us at hello@talkdirt2me.com.au or through the website if you have any questions or would like to chat.
K