Denver houseplant sitter &
routine garden maintenance
One of my bedroom geraniums, 2025
Growing tips for happier plants
Having grown plants for over 5 years now I've had the opportunity to put into practice a number of tips I've learned here and there and watch them work. I'll just keep adding tips as they occur to me so I have no idea how many there will be. I hope they help you as much as they've helped me!
Learning from Carly on the DGS farm, 2024
1.
Dust your plants
Plants need to be able to soak up the sun to photosynthesize properly - once a layer of dust begins to form on their leaves, absorbing the sun becomes more difficult (1). The amount of dust that can accumulate on your plants leaves can vary depending on your environment so the frequency you need to dust will vary (1). Just check your plants periodically and if they feel or look dusty, either hose them off in the sink or shower using lukewarm water, wipe individual leaves with a damp cloth, or brush the dust off (I use an old blush brush!) depending on the texture of the leaves and the size of the plant (1).
I do this for both my indoor and outdoor (balcony) plants. Occasionally when the apartment is mowed some of the debris can get pretty thick on my plants so I make sure to wip them down.
My balcony tomatoes making fruit! 2025
2.
Stare at your plants
Plants will tell you what they need and one of the best ways to learn their language is to simply pay attention. Like, if you look at a spider plant long enough you eventually realize that when it's underwatered its color begins to fade and it becomes noticebly lighter, almost transparent even. Leaves will droop, ends will crackle, greens turn to yellow - plants have all kinds of ways letting you know how they're feeling. You just have to listen!
One of my spider plants, lookin happy! 2025
3.
Loosen up that soil
Some months ago I bought some organic soil and used it to re-pot a number of plants. One day I was trying to figure out why one of my plants was stunted and I realized - its roots were small because they couldn't easily move through the soil. So I began adding perlite and sphagnum moss to the soil and they are so much happier!
My balcony garden in the rain, August 2025
4.
Consider quality over quantity
I used to have over 100 plants. At one point I decided I was going to start being more conscious of giving each plant the proper care it needs in a timely fashion and I realized I just don't have enough bandwidth for that. So I downsized my plant collection and I'm seeing the results - it gives me more time to research, learn about, and care for each plant.
Hanging heartleaf philodendron, 2025
TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOUR PLANTS!
Need short- or long-term plant or garden care? Fill out the form to the right, text 405-612-3638 or email me at SamanthaHinesPhotography@gmail.com.
I can't wait to talk plants with you!