Low-care plants are ideal for your assisted living apartment. Succulents are a good option because they don't typically need to be watered frequently. If you have limited sunlight in your apartment, use that as a guide for choosing potted plants that don't need a lot of direct light. If you have pets, make sure the plant is pet-friendly. Many common houseplants are toxic for cats and dogs.
If you're just starting your apartment garden, begin with just a few plants. It's easier to find spots for a few starter plants, and you won't be overwhelmed with their care. Choose plants with similar care needs to simplify your plant routine. As you gain confidence in your green thumb, consider adding more plants to your collection.
Not all potted plants need or can handle direct sunlight. Too many direct rays can harm some types of plants, which might grow better in indirect sunlight. Plants that can grow without a lot of direct sunlight include pothos, philodendrons and snake plants.
Some plants like to soak up direct sunlight for just a few hours a day, while others take all they can get. Read the plant care label on the potted houseplant when you get it, or do a little research to understand its unique sunlight needs. Then, find a spot in your assisted living apartment that fits those guidelines.
Temperature and humidity are also important for keeping your potted plants healthy. Look for the vents in your apartment and avoid placing your plants near them. They could make your plant too hot or too cold. Drafts from windows can also cause issues.
If your assisted living apartment feels dry, increasing the humidity can keep your potted plants happy. Putting plants in the bathroom can give them lots of moisture. You can also place the pot on top of a tray filled with pebbles and water. A humidifier near your plants can help, and it can increase the overall moisture to make your space feel more comfortable. Misting the plant leaves can help, but the excess moisture on the leaves can increase the chances of certain diseases.
Watering requirements also vary significantly based on the type of plant you have. A general guideline is to water your plants when the top 1/2 to 1 inch of the soil feels dry. However, some types of plants, such as cacti and succulents, often need less water. Giving your plants too much water can cause root rot or other issues that can eventually kill the plant. Determine how much water your specific plant variety needs to keep it healthy.
Even smaller houseplants might need to be repotted eventually. You can see your plant growing above the ground, but the roots are also growing. If they take up too much of the pot, the roots can't properly absorb water and nutrients, so your plant might become unhealthy. You can easily repot it in a container that's just slightly larger than the current pot. It's also possible to divide many types of houseplants when you repot them. You can either have two smaller plants or give part of it to a friend.
You can also prune many types of potted plants to keep them from growing too big. This helps make the plants manageable for a smaller assisted living apartment environment. Fall is an ideal time to prune many plants. You can pinch or cut some of the stems to keep them smaller. Removing dead or dying leaves and flowers also helps keep the size down and improves the health of the plant.
If you had outdoor plants before you moved into an assisted living apartment, you probably never worried about cleaning them. Indoors, dust can accumulate on your plants, just like it does on other surfaces. A light dusting occasionally keeps the plants clean so the leaves can soak up all the sunlight they need. You can also wipe the leaves carefully with a damp cloth to remove the dust.
Even indoor plants can be affected by diseases and pests. Some are treatable if you catch them early. Using high-quality potting soil, fertilizing regularly and providing ideal growing conditions for the specific type of plant you have helps keep them strong and healthy. That can help them resist diseases and pests.
If you notice pests on your plants, you might be able to spray them off with water. Insecticidal soap is a safe option that works on many common pests. You might need to repeat the treatments to get rid of all the pests. If you notice disease damage, remove all affected leaves and stems to stop the spread.
