Caring for tall plants: Special considerations and tips
Large houseplants have a place in every home, whether to fill an empty corner, complement a taller wall or perhaps to give a quirky touch of green to a room. These plants can be both indoor trees, such as Palms, Ficus or Yucca, or large plants that have reached a degree of maturity, such as the Bird of Paradise or the tall Euphorbia cactus.
There is something truly unique and out of the ordinary about having a tall plant under your roof. Big, full leaves instantly change the entire look of a room. But compared to their smaller brothers and sisters, large plants need different care.
BIG PLANTS, LESS WORRIES
Think of your plants as your children. Toddlers need more attention than teenagers. It’s the same with plants. Perhaps the imposing proportions of large plants create the impression that they need more care, although in fact the opposite is true.
BIGGER = MORE RESISTANT TO STRESS
Large plants have larger roots, and larger shoots and are better anchored in the soil. At the same time, they have more leaves and a rich store of resources, and in case of stress, they can afford to lose a few leaves, while small plants cannot afford this luxury. This reserve of energy and nutrients allows them not to react immediately to stress, but to have a buffer of time to act before the stress affects them.
SOIL VOLUME VS. SURFACE
The larger the soil volume, the more water can be stored. The smaller the volume of the soil, the greater the capacity of water to evaporate. Smaller plants will dry out much faster than larger plants, even if it’s the same type of plant.
Care tips for big plant lovers:
Light: They need brighter light to help keep their foliage full. Even cultivars known for their low light tolerance, such as Snake Plant and ZZ Plant, will grow better in brighter conditions given their size.
Water: In general, large plants will need less frequent watering. Depending on the species, the frequency can vary from one watering every 1-4 weeks.
Fertilize: Fertilize after the first year to ensure your plants receive all the essential nutrients they need until the next replanting.
Replanting: the good thing is that being grown in large pots, large plants will take much longer to “grow out of those containers”. This means you won’t need to change the pots every year, but maybe once every 2-3 years, depending on the species and growth rate.
Cleaning: Large plants especially need the leaves to be dusted regularly, as dust prevents the process of photosynthesis, i.e. sunlight is not absorbed. Use a microfiber towel or soft sponge to clean the leaves of the plant.
Propagation: You have enough plant material for propagation due to the maturity of the plant, which also makes it easy to propagate. In this way, you will not even notice that the size of the plant has been drastically reduced and you will be able to multiply as many cuttings as you want.
Since 2017, we’ve been infusing homes and offices with the beauty of nature. Ask us anything about plants, greening or rehabilitation services. Feel free to reach us online or visit us at the Orangery on M. Kogălniceanu Street, 54.
With a love for plants,
Floral Soul
