House Plant Root System
Indoor Plants Flowers
When caring for indoor houseplants, it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of plant functions. This can aid in determining what is needed to help keep your houseplants green, growing and gorgeous.
The root system is an important part, really the most important part, of the functioning of your indoor house plants. Unlike an exterior landscape plant, your potted houseplants rely on you to provide the correct amount of water to the root system in order to keep them healthy, green, and growing.
The leaves, stems and flowers are the most obvious parts of a plant. They are above the soil level and it is what we see when we look at a plant. I have been in the interior plant care industry for a few decades and have cared for and maintained thousands of interior plants in almost any kind of environment that you can imagine.
I know that the most important part of any plant is the root system, the part of a plant that is not so obvious to most people. The roots of an interior plant can be easily damaged by incorrect watering practices and over-fertilization. You will likely not see any root damage until it is too late to easily reverse it. That is why you must take extra care with the watering and fertilization of your houseplants.
Without a healthy and vigorous root system, no plant will do well. Roots hold the plant in the soil and absorb the necessary water and nutrients through the root hairs that are located on the root tips. Plants help clean the atmosphere by filtering air through the soil. The roots exchange gases and also store carbohydrates for use by the plant when needed.
Most houseplants will not do well if the roots are kept at any extreme, wet or dry, for extended periods of time. So, as you care for your indoor houseplants, keep this in mind.
Plants Flowers & Pets
Over the years, I have had many animals and plants in the same house and have not had too many problems. I always make my best effort to keep houseplants out of the reach of pets. That can be difficult, especially with cats, as they seem to be able to get just about anywhere they please! Being an animal lover, as many people are, I thought it would be helpful to add a link for those with questions about pets and houseplants, as I have received a few emails with questions on the subject. Do not allow pets to eat your indoor houseplants or your outdoor plants. Questions about plants and pet safety?
This is a link to the ASPCA, Animal Poison Control, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.
Constantly soggy soil reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to the roots. Eventually the roots will suffocate and the root hairs will wither and die. The plant can no longer absorb water via the roots and then the plant wilts. If a large portion of the roots are affected, your plant may die.
People often think the plant is wilting because it needs more water, so they add more water making the problem worse. It is very difficult to bring back a plant after it has suffered from over watering. So check your house plants potting media before you water.
Water thoroughly then allow the root system to dry down most of the way but not so much that the plant wilts. This will supply the oxygen that your house plant's roots need to remain healthy and vigorous. A healthy root system means a healthier house plant.
Under watering your house plants can also damage the root hairs. Excess, soluble salts from fertilizers are more likely to 'burn' the root hairs when the potting media is allowed to become too dry. Or allowed to stay dry for long periods of time. This blocks the plants ability to absorb and use water from the soil.
Plant Flower Care Items from Amazon
Before you water always check the soil to be sure that your plant needs to be watered. Learning to water your indoor house plant properly, at the correct interval, not too much and not too little will make all the difference in the world.
Just like anything else you do, learning to care for your houseplants properly takes a little bit of time and practice. Observation of your plant, trial and error, those are the things that will make you an expert at caring for your houseplants. Remember, there really is no such thing as a "black thumb"! You can have healthy, happy houseplants with a little care and effort, just don't forget to consider the most important part of your houseplant, the part you seldom see, the root system.
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Easy House Plants
Sansevieria Plant
Sansevieria plant does not need much care. A great indoor plant for anyone. Will do best in very bright light, even some morning sun. More on Sansevieria care.
Peace Lily Plant
Peace Lily is an easy houseplant to grow but will wilt quickly if let to dry too much. Will produce white spathes if light is adequate. Peace Lily plant has white flowers.
Pothos Plant
Pothos is a popular house plant and will trail over the edge of the pot or climb a trellis or pole. Medium to bright light is best. Easy care house plant.
Aglaonema Plants
Aglaonema house plants are great for the home or office. Can be used as a table plant or floor plant, depending on the size. Easy to grow indoors.
Bromeliad Plant
Bromeliad plants make the list, Guzmania and Aechmea bromeliads in particular. Use bromeliad for a spot where you want to add some lasting color.
Hoya Houseplant
Hoya is a vining type of plant. Great for use as a table or shelf plant or display as a hanging plant. All green or variegated, fragrant flowers.
Plants Flowers Pots
Bonsai Trees Plants
A bonsai tree or plant for indoors or outdoors makes a great gift for any gardener. Treat that special person, or yourself, to a beautiful bonsai. May earn commission. Bonsai Boy of New York.
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See something you like for your home? Ads help to keep my house plant care website up and running. May earn commission on sales. Thanks for your support and thanks for visiting!
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Bromeliad House Plants
Aechmea
Aechmea fasciata bromeliad plant. The Aechmea fasciata and primera are the Aechmea bromeliads most often used as house plant. Pink flower.
Neoregelia
Neoregelia bromeliads are often used for the different colored foliage. Usually shorter than other bromeliads with much less obvious flowers.
Guzmania
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Houseplant Care Question?
Questions about your indoor house plants or plant care problems? You can send a house plant question, free of charge, no sign ups, registration or log in required!
Before you send a houseplant care question, please be sure to read this information on watering your indoor house plants, how to help keep your your indoor house plants root system healthy and lighting for your indoor house plants and flowers. These are most important for the health of your house plants and this is some of the information I will refer you to if you send an indoor house plant or flower care question.
You can post comments, find answers to plant care questions, or share some of your own plant wisdom on our plant care Facebook Page, Twitter page or visit my plant care blog. You can also find plant pictures, gardening ideas, and more at our plant and flower Pinterest page.
Thanks for visiting and come back soon as houseplant care information, pictures and more are being added all of the time. I hope that your indoor tropical house plants and all of your plants and flowers are happy, green and growing because that is why I started this indoor house plant and flower care website, PlantAndFlowerInfo.com.
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