Indoor plants have many benefits for businesses…
From creating a better first impression for clients, to making employees happier and more productive
But with so many indoor plants available, which should you choose? Jade plant, Peace Lily, Warneck Dracaena, Azalea, Snake Plant, Devil’s Ivy, and others need minimal care and so stay in good condition even when somewhat neglected.
Having plants around your desk improves your physical and mental well-being
However, you still need to make some effort to look after your indoor garden. Here are some tips for caring for your business’ indoor plants.
Water your plants, but don’t overwater
It is important to water your plants regularly – this is important for the plant’s growth. However, you must remember not to overwater them as it may damage or even kill the plants. When watering, check whether the soil is still moist. If it’s moist then allow some time for it to dry before watering the plant again.
Use a long nosed watering can to avoid leaf watering
It’s also vital to know how to water your plants properly. Don’t simply pour a cup of cold water into the pot. Instead, use lukewarm water, as warm roots are very important for optimal plant growth. Use a watering can with a long spout that gives you more control, allowing you to pour the water into soil without getting the leaves wet. You should never pour water onto the leaves as it may lead to fungal growth.
Natural lighting
Natural lighting is an important factor in plant’s growth. If plants lack light they won’t produce chlorophyll and their colour will change from green to pale green or yellow. The stems may also become long and thin as they are trying to reach sunlight.
Without light, flowering plants may not produce flower buds. On the other hand, when plants are exposed to too much light they may develop bleached leaves.
In your office, try to place the plants near windows so that they get natural sunlight. If that’s not possible, you should place artificial sunlight lamps, such as LED and fluorescent bulbs, next to the plants. Alternatively, some plants don’t require much light, so you can choose these low-light plants for your office.
Repel flies
You must also keep the space around the plants clean. Make sure there is no leftover tea, coffee, or food in the plant containers. You should remove rubbish and keep the office clean, otherwise you will attract flies which could harm your plants. Furthermore, there are certain plants that repel flies, so include these in your space to keep insects away.
You can find plants that repel flies…
Stop moving plants around
Don’t move your plants around too often. Plants slowly adapt to their environment by changing their structure and orientation. When you move your plants around frequently it becomes difficult for them to adjust to their new environment. Stability is very important for a plant, allowing it to adapt to its habitat.
Change pots
As your plants grow, be sure to repot them into larger pots. Initially, your plant will look good in a small pot, but as it grows it takes up more space, so it will need a bigger pot. If you continue to keep it in a small pot you will be stunting its growth, as the soil dries out quickly, and the roots don’t have room to grow. On the other hand, if you use a pot that is too big, then the plant’s roots may rot.
You should choose the type of pot carefully as well. Plastic pots can retain more moisture, so you have to water the plant less often. If you use terracotta pots you need to remember that they are more porous so you will have to water the plants more often. If you are worried about leakage, ‘double potting’ may be the solution. This will also help with proper drainage as the outer pot will hold any excess water.
Pruning
You may not think that indoor plants need pruning, but it is important that they are pruned regularly, if only removing dead leaves. Proper pruning will ensure better growth and you can use pruning shears or even just kitchen scissors.
However, you need to be careful not to get too carried away – make sure you don’t trim more than 25% of the foliage. When you prune flowering plants, make sure you do so after the plants have finished flowering. Otherwise, you may remove unopened buds.
Make sure to prune off the dead leaves to promote a healthy plant
Indoor plants can add life to a dull office environment. Plants also improve air quality, helping to keep your employees healthy, while adding a peaceful element to your work environment. Furthermore, indoor plants can help to reduce stress and boost productivity.
You can easily beautify your workspace by putting some plants in different places in the office and taking good care of them. Consult indoor plant specialists like PHS Greenleaf to guide you in the beautification of the workplace with indoor plants. They can advise you on which plants will be best-suited to your office space and tell you how to care for them for the best results.
