Refresh your lean and lanky houseplants with these easy strategies for spurring lush new growth.
Spindly stems and a smattering of lackluster leaves aresigns your potted plant needs care.
Seek the Sun
Lack of adequate light is the chief reason houseplants take on a sickly appearance.
Credit:Jacob Fox
Begin by moving the plant to a bright spot near a large south- or west-facing window.
Too much suncan sunburn leaves.
Beware of trees or nearby buildings which may block light streaming into the window throughout the day.
Credit:Carson Downing
Thoughtfully consider your natural light options.
If the plant doesnt show signs of improvement within a month, look for another light source.
Plants receiving adequate light will produce dense, attractive new growth but the previous growth will always look spindly.
Slowly prune away weak growth as new stems and leaves are produced.
Carson Downing
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Position the plant near the light and be sure the light is on 12 to 18 hours a day.
Try these houseplants:monstera,peace lily,philodendron,pothos,snake plant,ZZ plant.
Pack the Pot
Addmounding and trailing plantsto the base of tall, lanky tropicals.
Be sure to fill the container with nutrient-rich soil formulated for indoor plants.
Fertilize with Caution
Too much or too little fertilizer can cause a houseplant to look less-than-lush.
It sounds counterintuitive, but excessive fertilizer spurs rapid, weak growth that is thin and lanky.
Houseplants generally need very little fertilizer.
Expertsrecommend fertilizingonly once a year or so when the plant is actively growingusually spring or summer for tropical plants.
Use a slow-release fertilizer designed for indoor plants or a water-soluble product that you mix into water and apply.
Whenwatering houseplants, apply water until it flows out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
The water will help flush out damaging fertilizer salt that can build up in the soil.
New growth will follow just below the pinch point.
Pinching is effective if the plant has adequate light to support healthy new growth.
Check the root system todetermine if it is time to repot.
Remove the plant from the container.
If roots are circling more than 75% of the soil ball, it istime to repot.
Only repot into containers with drainage holes.
