Jacob Fox: If your once-vibrant houseplant appears more suited for the desert than a lush jungle, it’s time to give it some attention. When you notice spindly stems and lackluster leaves, it’s a clear sign that your potted plant needs care. While the plant is still alive and will continue to grow slowly if its needs are met, you can bring it back to its healthy, leafy state by making some simple adjustments to your care routine. By providing thoughtful and consistent care over a few months, your potted plant will soon radiate the lush jungle vibes you desire.
Related: 10 Houseplants for a Lush Indoor Jungle
1. Ensure Adequate Sunlight
Insufficient light is often the primary reason houseplants start to look unhealthy. Long, slender stems and unusually small leaves are indicators that the plant is not getting enough light. To address this, move the plant to a well-lit area near a large south- or west-facing window, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent leaf sunburn. Take into account any obstructions like trees or buildings that may block light throughout the day. If a south-facing window is small and shaded, a large east-facing patio door could provide better light. If the plant fails to show improvement within a month, consider adding supplemental lighting.
Tip: Plants receiving enough light will develop dense, lush new growth, although existing growth may still appear spindly. Trim away weak growth slowly as new stems and leaves emerge.
2. Use Grow Lights
If relocating the plant to a brighter spot is not feasible, consider using artificial light to meet its needs. Specialized grow lights are effective, but traditional fluorescent lights can also work well. Position the plant close to the light source and ensure it receives 12 to 18 hours of light per day.
For Low-Light Areas
Interior spaces with limited natural light, such as offices or north-facing rooms, require plants that can thrive in low-light conditions. Consider plants like monstera, peace lily, philodendron, pothos, snake plant, and ZZ plant.
Related: Top Grow Lights to Support Plant Growth
3. Create a Full Pot
Enhance the base of tall, thin tropical plants by adding mounding and trailing plants. Similar to planting a mixed container with upright, mounding, and trailing flowers, a collection of houseplants in a pot uses plants with different growth habits to achieve a lush and full appearance. When introducing new plants, ensure that the pot size accommodates the root space required for each plant. Use nutrient-rich soil formulated for indoor plants to fill the container.
Include Trailing Plants
For cascading foliage, consider easy-to-grow trailing plants like hoya, inch plant, ivy, satin pothos, and string of pearls.
4. Fertilize Wisely
Proper fertilization is crucial to maintain the lush appearance of your houseplant. Both insufficient and excessive fertilization can lead
1. Water the plant until it drains out of the holes at the bottom of the pot to flush out excess fertilizer salts that may be harmful to the soil.
2. Regularly pinch the growing tips of houseplants like arrowhead plant, nerve plant, pothos, and schefflera to encourage new leaf and shoot growth, resulting in a bushier and more compact appearance. Cut back the longest stem to the nearest leaf joint to stimulate new growth.
3. Make sure your houseplants have adequate light for healthy growth before pinching. If needed, relocate them to a sunnier spot for better development.
4. Consider repotting your houseplants when they become overcrowded in their current containers, leading to weak and leggy growth. Check the root system and repot if roots are circling more than 75% of the soil ball. Use a slightly larger container with proper drainage and suitable potting soil for indoor plants.
5. When repotting, always choose containers with drainage holes. If your desired decorative container lacks drainage, plant the houseplant in a smaller plastic pot with drainage holes and then place it inside the decorative container.
