It has been awhile since we had any plant tips on Chemistry Cachet, so today we are sharing the easiest and best indoor potting tips anyone can follow!

Since winter is still upon us, indoor plants are the perfect subject for this time of year.

I am definitely more of an outdoor plant girl, but I still have the occasional indoor plant that I really enjoy. Especially during the winter, plants can really bring some life into your home. Many of my readers have told me they have the hardest time keeping indoor plants alive.

So, I have been researching and testing out some good ideas that have really helped my little indoor plants thrive for years.

Some of these are our chemistry tips, some are just basic gardening tips…either way they are easy for anyone to follow!

PIN THIS: The Easiest & Best Indoor Potting Tips Anyone Can Follow

1. Start with a good pot.

This sounds like common sense, but most problems with house plants come from using the same pot it comes in or using a pot that is too small. When your pot is too small inside, it will hinder the root growth and also cause root rot more easily. So, always choose a pot that is twice the size of the pot the plant comes in. This will also help it grow larger!

2. Add pea gravel to the bottom of the pot.

When I potted indoor plants in my college horticulture class, we always use a good inch or two inches of pea gravel at the bottom of the pot. For indoor plants, this really helps the drainage factor and will keep the roots from getting too wet. I have tried other methods before and also tried special drainage pots, but pea gravel is always the best.

3. Use indoor potting soil.

I highly recommend getting indoor potting soil. It is formulated specifically for indoor plants, so it feeds them, but also keeps the moisture levels good. The last indoor plant I had, I didn’t use indoor potting soil, and the plant looked really bad for awhile. I repotted it with some indoor soil, and it immediately helped.

4.  Be aware of the pot placement.

This is very similar to caring for your outdoor plants. Indoor pots need sun too, but you will have to keep in mind the time of year it is. During the freezing winter months, I move all my pots away from the window. The freezing air causes the leaves to wither. Same thing with the really hot summer months, I will move the plant away from the direct hot sunlight. We have 100 degree weather most of the summer, so I make sure to keep the pots in the morning sun only.

Make sure your plant get some sunlight though! Plants need some sunlight to photosynthesis and grow. It will make sure your plant stays green and vivid.

5. Wait until the pot is dry to water.

Root rot seems to be the hardest thing about indoor plants. Since you don’t have direct sunlight and heat to soak up the water, they don’t really need much water at all. When using the indoor potting soil I mentioned, it helps control the moisture evenly. When the top layer is dry, then you can water thoroughly. I like to water until it just starts dripping under the pea gravel. Make sure to keep a drip pan or protective barrier below your pot to see the water. You don’t want it to pour out, but have a little water drain out the bottom.

6. Clean and shine the leaves.

One of the most viewed posts ever on Chemistry Cachet is this one on how to clean indoor houseplants and shine the leaves. Readers really enjoy this because it makes such a difference for indoor houseplants. Not only does this post tell you how to clean the leaves, but also feeding tips.

It will keep your indoor plant beautiful and healthy.

7. Treat bugs before they get bad.

Indoor plants can attract indoor bugs. The biggest problem I have is little gnats around houseplants. Not only is it nuisance, but it can also hurt the plant.

I shared this tip on Redfin’s post for the best plants for apartments! You can check out the post to read the science on this tip, but cinnamon is probably my favorite thing to use. I will sprinkle cinnamon and cinnamon oil around the base of the plant to ward off bugs.

I also use this cleaner to spray around the base or on the leaves.

8. Try growing them in water!

I have recently started doing this, and it is really one of the best ways! I had this ivy from a cutting I just put in water. Once it rooted, I transferred it to a larger jar with more water, and it has been there for a few years! I just follow all the above tips about sunlight and temperature with the occasional leave cleaning.

I have more luck with ivy in water than I have in soil!

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