Trying to add plants to your home this year? Need help keeping plants alive? Chicago plant experts are here to share tips for beginners.
Why Get House Plants This Time of Year?
Not only do plants brighten up Chicago winters, but they are also great air purifiers in the cold months when windows are closed and heaters are on, especially snake plants, Chicago Park District deputy director of horticulture Peter Vrotsos said.
What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make?
Adjust how much you water in the winter: Plants need less water because they’re getting less light, Plant Salon owner Nika Vaughan said.
And if one of your plants is really happy, find similar ones in that plant family since you’ve learned how to take care of it.
“One, you keep your plants alive, and two, it bolsters your confidence so that you can be braver with other plant choices,” Vaughan said.
Sometimes our plants could use a little help, too. (Simone Alicea / City Cast Chicago)
Which House Plants Should You Get?
For Low-Maintenance Plant Owners
- Succulents are resilient and can take a lot of neglect before it shows.
- Jade or aloe plants tend to be slower growers in the Midwest, which is good for folks who don’t have a lot of space.
- Hoya, or vining plants, have succulent characteristics and come in different shapes and sizes.
For Garden Unit Dwellers (AKA Who Don’t Have Much Sun)
- Snake plants, which require minimal care, come in different colors and shapes.
- ZZ plants are also tolerant of low lighting, so you can put them in further away corners of living rooms.
- Cast iron plants can handle a lot of shade.
Vrotsos also recommends utilizing grow lights this time of year.
For Pet Owners
- Pilea and peperomia variety plants tend to be more compact and firm and have leaves that don’t flicker (or resemble cat toys).
Vrotsos encourages plant owners to do their research since some plants can be toxic to pets and kids.
When Should You Say Goodbye to a Plant?
If you take the roots out of the pot and see they are all squishy and slimy, they are dead and it’s time to cut them off, Vaughan said. If you cut off most of it, and the root ball is brown and squishy, the plant is ready to be composted.
But don’t be too fast to dump a droopy plant.
“If you have little bits of fresh green, where you're like … ‘ I went away for two weeks and I forgot,’ … but hey, now there's these little nubs popping out again: That is a sign that the plant is resilient and it's trying to come back,” Vaughan said.
+ Take a plant 101 class with Vaughan at the Plant Salon in Bucktown Feb. 17. The class’ cost is redeemable as a store credit, aka you can go home with a plant!
