Growing plants outside in a yard or garden is complicated, but managing indoor plant growth factors is even trickier. Plants that are housed inside have their own specific needs and issues that must be addressed. These needs are rarely mirrored in plants set in the earth outdoors.

Root rot is the most frequently occurring issue with indoor plants. Root rot is self-explanatory – it occurs when the root begins to rot. The primary cause for root rot in houseplants is exorbitant watering. The best way to steer clear of root rot is to monitor the plant’s ability to drain in its pot. Adding ground up gravel to the bottom of the plant’s container will aid draining, and you will need to check the moisture level of the soil right below the surface to make sure it is damp, but not too wet.

The cold, dry winter air is also another plant growth factor that can damage your potted plants. The cold season, especially in regions that have all four seasons, indoor air will frequently be very dry. The significant and often sudden drop of moisture in the air can cause a lot of damage to any houseplant. You must correct this problem by adding moisture to whatever room of the house your water-loving plants live in. One easy method of augmenting the humidity indoors is to add water to a thin pan full of pebbles and place your dry plant over it. Another option is to simply purchase a humidifier for the room in which your plants grow.

The third issue in the plant growth factors list is pot-bound roots, which means the roots of your plant have begun to loop around the container in which it is grown. If this happens, all you need to do is replant it into another pot.

The last issue, and possibly most upsetting issue with indoor plants are pest infestation, such as insects and mites. Scales, mealybugs, and spider mites all are frequent bothers to houseplants. In order to safely get rid of bug infestations, books written by a botanical expert should be referred to. Read the rest of this entry »