When it comes to decorating your San Jose home, you have plenty of options to choose from to reflect the city’s inviting, sophisticated and eclectic energy. From incorporating vintage leather pieces to adding colourful wall art, there are many ways you can bring the true California cool vibe to your home.
A type of decoration that no living space cannot be complete without is greenery. Plants are very aesthetically pleasing and have the power to transform any space by adding charm and character. Whether you live in a house in the suburbs or in one of those cosy downtown 1 bedroom apartments in San Jose, plants will undoubtedly make your home more welcoming and warm.
However, in order for your houseplants to beautify your interior all year round, you need to know how to take care of them properly. Here are five tips you should follow to help you along.
Choose the right indoor plants
The first step to knowing how to care for your indoor plants is to learn which plants best grow in San Jose. Due to the city’s Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers, there are many types of plants that may thrive all year-round.
For example, Peace Lily is such a gorgeous plant which can add beauty and character to your home. They are a very low-maintenance option as they need medium light and moderate humidity and water needs.
Other plants you can consider are Kalanchoe, Caladium, Desert Fairy Duster and Elephant Ear.
Peace Lily image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay
Know when to garden your plants
Knowing the city’s climate and planting zone are also essential to planning your garden and taking proper care of your plants. This will make it easier for you to align the growing season, timing and amount of rainfall and temperature ranges and ensure that your plants are perfect for the area in which you live.
According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, San Jose’s planting zone is 9. This is a year-round planting zone that is warm and can accommodate a wide range of flowers, foliage plants and even fruit trees in your garden.
Give them the right amount of water
When growing houseplants in your San Jose home, water is essential. The general rule of thumb is that you should only water your plants if you notice that the top of the soil feels dry.
However, this rule does not apply for all plants because there are plants such as succulents and cacti which only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry while others need to be kept constantly moist.
Also, make sure you use the right type of pots with drainage holes in them so your plants don’t sit in wet soil for too long as they can develop root rot and die.
Caladium image by hartono subagio from Pixabay
Consider your light and space
Another important part of indoor houseplant care is light. All plants need some light to carry out their necessary biological process, so it is crucial that you provide your greenery with the right amount to help them grow.
For example, plants that need high light should be placed in front of southern-facing windows. This includes plants like Aloe Vera, Jade Plant and Snake Plant.
On the other hand, low-light indoor plants such as ZZ plants, pothos and philodendrons can do well in front of north-facing windows in rooms with normal indoor lighting.
Groom, prune and repot as needed
In addition to the basic rules of caring for houseplants, you should also groom and prune them to keep them neat and attractive. Generally speaking, most indoor plant varieties should be pruned at the beginning of the growing season which is late winter or early spring. The process of pruning typically includes cutting away dead leaves or branches to keep the plants presentable and encourage a more balanced growth pattern.
Also, watch out for signs of slowed growth and roots growing out of drainage holes or above the soil line, as that is an indication you need to repot your plants.
Final thoughts
One of the best ways to bring life to your San Jose home is to add greenery. There is a wide range of plants which you can decorate your interior with to add charm and character to the space and make it feel warm and welcoming.
But in order to allow your plants to beautify your living space, you should take proper care of them. San Jose’s climate is ideal for growing indoor plants of all kinds, so it is important that you follow the right steps.
For more information on this, refer to our tips and learn how to properly care for your houseplants in San Jose.
Top image of Red Kalanchoe by hartono subagio from Pixabay
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