You might think you’re too stressed or busy to be a plant person, but having them around is actually beneficial to your health. When you have plants at home, they can help reduce stress, make you feel calmer and even reduce pain, helping a person heal faster.

When buying plants for your indoor garden, buy plants that are visibly healthy. The foliage should be medium to dark green, unless it’s specifically meant to be a different color.

Whether you’re planting fruits, vegetables, herbs or beautiful seasonal flowers, the best place to start is by reading the packet your seeds came in. Seed packets typically list guidelines on germination and plant care specific to the plant in question.

Two of the most basic things every beginner gardener should know is what tools are needed and what the watering needs of your plants are. A mister or a watering can with fine holes is best so as not to overwater your plants and ensure gentle watering.

When determining how much and how frequently you need to water your plants, take into consideration the type of plant, type of container it is in, your location, time of year and weather conditions. Make sure to adjust how much you water your plants depending on how these factors change.

Weather affects many factors important to plant growth, and plants require the right temperature as well. Most plants are good at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal temperature varies based on the plant.

Just as humans require sunlight for vitamin D, plants need it for photosynthesis, so it’s important to make sure your plants are sitting in an area that gets them enough sunlight. For most plants, windows that face south or west provide enough sunlight.

If you can’t get your plants enough sunlight, place some fluorescent lights about 6 inches away from them instead. Adequate light is of the utmost importance for plant growth and can be affected by factors such as other buildings, trees, day length and even wall color. LED grow lights may be used, but fluorescent lights are just as effective and will save you money.

Having the right humidity is important for plant health, as well, as too much or little of it can prevent plants from thriving. Because most indoor plants originate in tropical environments, they require higher humidity. One way to create more of it is by placing your plants closer together for a more humid environment.

A humidifier is good for your health as well as that of your plants. Having one in your home is another quick and easy solution for creating more humidity for your growing plants.

A plant’s need for fertilizer, which is often vital for its nutrition, will depend on what kind of plant it is, what weather conditions are and what time of year it is. However much fertilizer your plant does need, if it’s indoors, it is best to add small amounts of it to your plant as it grows rather than all at once.

Make sure you have the right kind of soil for both your plants and your indoor conditions. Indoor gardening typically does best with potting soil, which is available at most stores.

When growing plants indoors, space is limited. Dwarf varieties are, thus, often a good idea, particularly when it comes to growing vegetables. They’re also often prettier and have better symbolism. For example, sunflowers symbolize adoration in dwarf form but represent haughtiness when regular-sized.

There are so many plants and flowers you can eat, and herbs are great for planting indoors. When planting seeds for herbs, place them at a depth of two times their thickness in the soil.

There are many kinds of pots and planters to grow your plants in, but terracotta pots may be the best choice. Due to their porous surface, the plant’s roots and surrounding environment have a good exchange of air.

Plants can become infested with pests or fall victim to a variety of diseases, and it’s important to monitor them for both. In order to prevent the spread of an infestation, separate the affected plant from others or get rid of it entirely if the infestation is severe. Treatment will depend on the kind of pest or disease as well as type of plant.

Plant cleanliness is vital to plant health. Dust can block sunlight and exchange of gases, inhibiting plant growth, so it’s important to properly clean your plants. Plants with thick and shiny leaves should be cleaned with a damp sponge, while plants with hairy leaves or spikes like cacti should be cleaned with a small paintbrush and no water. For small plants, dip the leaves in lukewarm water, swirling them around.

Plant cleanup often includes pruning and cutting, particularly of dead foliage. You can also cut healthy parts of the plant in an effort to grow more by having them root in water or a soilless potting mix. It’s a great method of conservation and a way to save money.

Plants improve the air quality of a given space, a benefit to humans, animals and other plants alike. Having plants can also help you boost productivity at work or at home if you’re working from home.

Before planting any seeds, you need to make sure that the soil is not too wet or too dry. If the soil sticks to your shovel or stays molded in a ball when pressed in your hand, it is too wet. Soil with the right amount of moisture should crumble and break into clumps when pressed.

Plant pots require adequate drainage so as to prevent disease as well as overwatering. Just as dehydration is bad for plants, so is overhydration. Try to buy pots with drainage holes or make holes in whatever container you’re using.

It’s a good idea to work with plants suited to your skill level and to your current environment when gardening, so try to stick to plants that are known to do well indoors. Herbs like basil, chives, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme grow well indoors, as do lettuce, peas, spinach and carrots.

Thanks to the method of hydroponic gardening, it is possible to maintain a garden without soil. Using a nutrient solution rather than soil and fertilizer, hydroponic gardens can be made at home or bought pre-assembled.

To make sure the soil you’re using has the right pH, metals, salts and other nutrients, you can send it into a laboratory run by a university or scientific institution, or use an at-home testing kit.

An easy way to get started with everything you need is by buying a DIY kit. A seed starting kit will include not only the seeds, but also soil, trays and instructions.

Some plants grow well in proximity to other specific types of plants, helping each other in terms of health or flavor. Examples of this kind of companion planting include parsley and asparagus, as well as carrots and herbs such as sage or rosemary.

As much as we would like them to, plants don’t grow overnight. A huge aspect of gardening is patience, a good habit to have that will lead to more satisfaction and a more peaceful life.

If you have pets at home, it’s important to know which plants are toxic to them if ingested. For example, cat owners should avoid lilies, begonias and nightshade.

Use rainwater to water your plants — it’s not only a great way to save money, but it’s also good for the environment. You can make your own rain barrel using a trash bin, which is just one of many ways you can repurpose old household items to revamp your garden.

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