Domestic Goddess Deficiency

Overall, I consider myself a frugal person. It’s easy for me to save money. I can go to the mall and not buy anything 5 times in a row. I think about big purchases forever before I commit and I fantasize about paying off (our relatively low) credit card balances. We are good with money. No problem there.

Recently, I have been obsessed with buying a house and everything that comes with it. I’ve been pouring over do it yourself projects, ways to save money on utility bills, and which art to hang where. The one thing I can’t manage with any level of success? Keeping houseplants alive. A couple of weeks ago, I was in our apartment in St Cloud making something in the oven and I left my little, resilient house plant that I’ve managed to keep alive for a year (statistically amazing for me) too close to the back of the stove, where the heat comes out, and I fried it. Not pretty, the death of my house plant.

The thing is, I love having a plant or two around the house just for something living and green. I think it’s healthy. Problem is, mine end up dead and brown. Or, on fire, apparently.

I was on Life Hacker today and came across this article about maintaining house plants. Check out the site, it’s full of everyday-life-related-awesomeness.

Keep a House Plant Alive

By Kevin Purdy

The step titles might feel a little elementary school, but growerman gives just enough depth on sunlight, watering, soil, containers, and other necessities that you’ll probably walk away a bit smarter. To find that illusive balance between proper watering and drowning your plants, for instance, try his simple soil gauge:

A good way to accurately and efficiently find out when your plant needs more water is to keep an eye on the soil. When the soil looks dry, just stick you finger in it. If the soil is dry in the first couple centimeters, is it probably time to give the plant more water. If your finger comes up with a little water on it, your plant is probably fine.

I water my plants every Sunday, unless they need water earlier….

Inspired to start picking out some plants? Consider three plants that give you better indoor air and, as growerman suggests, supplement any plants that don’t get South-facing sunlight with LED light spikes.