Plant parenthood: Where to start? We’ve got tips

You’ve probably seen nothing but plant-laden rooms and creatively executed pots all over social media recently and you’ve been thinking, “Hey, why not?”

Plants have lots of benefits—from making a space aesthetically pleasing to clearing toxins from the air. Taking care of plants and cultivating your own indoor garden can help you focus on achievable things that can make you feel happier and more accomplished. But before you go out and buy every plant you can get your hands on, here are some things to consider, especially for newbies in plant parenting.

Make time for plants 

Plants are a big responsibility—especially if you have your sights set on your own plant collection or garden. In order to fulfill that responsibility, you need time to research proper plant care, the accessories you need and, of course, the types of plants that will suit your lifestyle. 

While plants are easier to care for than children, there’s still a lot of work involved, especially once your collection grows. 

Get to know your plant 

Plants—they’re just like us. They have their individual needs and routines. The more you know about your plants, the better you will be at taking care of them. 

When starting out, it’s best to limit yourself to three to five plants, all with similar care routines, so it won’t be difficult for you. Spider plants, snake plants, succulents and cacti are low maintenance plants that generally need a normal amount of light and a few watering sessions here and there. Aside from plant types, you can also brush up on your knowledge of what kind of soil and pots work best with your new plants.

Choose the right spot

Understanding the relationship between light, air and the surrounding environment is vital in choosing and caring for a plant. Know the limits of your space and choose plants that will thrive within those limits. 

If you have a pretty crowded living situation, it might not be best to put a plant in the middle of all of that, as they might be prone to being bumped by people or being disturbed by objects. If there’s little to no natural light in your living area, choose plants that don’t need a lot of sun to survive. If you have enough space, you can also invest in an indoor planter, so you can gather all your plants in one space. 

Be patient

More than neglect, being a helicopter parent can kill your plant just as quickly. There’s more to plant parenthood than attending to your plant 24/7. A rookie mistake is overwatering, but a good rule of thumb to remember is to water plants only when one to two inches of topsoil is dry. 

New plants also take time to adjust to new environments. Just because you see one dead leaf doesn’t mean you have to bring out your arsenal of pesticides and fertilizers. Give your plant some time to get used to its new space or pot—like humans, new environments take a lot of getting used to.

Now, if you think you’re physically (and emotionally) ready to be a plant parent, you can visit Farmers’ Produce market caravan at SM Aura Premier on Nov. 20-22 and Nov. 27-30; SM City North Edsa on Nov. 27-30 and Dec. 4-6; and SM Mall of Asia (S Maison) on Dec. 18-20. Besides freshly grown veggies and fruits, the weekend market will also offer some of the bestselling plants from the Bureau of Plant Industry.

SM Supermalls partnered with the Department of Agriculture and Resto PH for this project to provide livelihood assistance to our local farmers. Make sure to observe proper quarantine protocols. See you there!

For more tips on self-care and getting fit, visit SM Shopmag.

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by SM Shopmag.