You’re impatient.

You just can’t wait to see your favorite houseplants grow big and beautiful.

You wonder if you can do something to make them grow faster.

You can provide the required environment to make houseplants grow faster. Use the right container and provide them with the required light, water, and nutrients. Make sure they are free from pests, diseases, and weeds.

In this post, I’ll give you 8 awesome tips on how you can make your houseplants grow faster.

So keep reading.

Here are the 8 tips that will help your houseplants grow faster.

  1. Choose the right container
  2. Make use of good potting soil
  3. Give the houseplants required watering
  4. Make sure houseplants get sufficient light
  5. Check the temperature and humidity
  6. Give the houseplants plenty of nutrients
  7. Get rid of weeds in potting soil
  8. Protect houseplants from pests and diseases

1. Choose the right container

The first thing that you need to do is decide what type of container you should use. There are plenty of options for you to choose from in this area. Here are some tips to help you narrow down the right one: 

  • Get the right size. This is the most important element for you to consider. Too small and you could limit the growth of the root system. How large the container will need to depend on the expected diameter of the plant. It’s best to give an extra one to two inches to grow. If they get too big for the pot, you can always transplant them outside. 
  • Clean pots before reusing them. This will ensure that they aren’t accidentally spreading disease to the new plants. 
  • Make sure there is adequate drainage. You need to make sure that it is possible for the water to easily drain from the pot. If the current drainage isn’t appropriate, you might need to drill a hole in the pot’s base. 

Sometimes, the container material will determine how you use it. For example, a clay pot will often require more frequent watering. 

2. Make use of good potting soil

One of the most important elements that affect plant growth is the type of soil you are using. There are a few things to consider when deciding the type of potting soil you want to use.

First, you’ll need to use an indoor mix, rather than one that can be used for outdoor plants. This will ensure that they are getting the nutrients that they require. 

You can add some compost to the soil. Often, indoor plants won’t need a lot of this. If you are adding some, spread it around evenly. You don’t want it to form a thick layer that can block drainage. 

Healthy plants grow best. Healthy plants grow in healthy soil, get the right amount of and the right sort of nutrients, the right amount of sun exposure, and the right amount of water. Those amounts vary by plant species, so you need to do your homework for each one. – Kate Russell, Gardener, The Daily Garden

3. Give the houseplants required watering

It’s important to make sure that you are watering the plants properly. There are two elements to this, the quantity and the quality of the water. 

Water Quantity

This is easier for you to work out. All you need to do is feel the soil. Stick your finger a few inches into the soil. It should feel damp, but not wet.

If it is dry enough to break in your fingers, it’s time to add a little more water. Another sign that you aren’t watering enough is wilting leaves. 

Some species will need to be watered more often than others. One way of figuring out how much water the plant needs is by looking at its leaves. The larger the leaves the more water it will require. It’s best to add some water in the morning. 

Water Quality

The quality of the water is just as important as the amount of water you are providing. In most cases, you can use tap water. Though it might be best to filter it first. This will eliminate a lot of the chemicals that are added to the water. Another option that you might want to use is rainwater. 

4. Make sure houseplants get sufficient light

When you are growing indoor houseplants, you will need to make sure that they have adequate lighting. This can sometimes be your biggest challenge, particularly if the room doesn’t have natural light. 

Here, you will need to use some artificial lighting. It’s often best to use LED to help you do this. The type of light will need to be tailored to the type of plant. Make sure that it’s far enough from the plant to avoid burning the leaves. Here are some tips you can use when setting up this light

5. Check the temperature and humidity

The ideal temperature and humidity for your plants will depend on the species. But in most cases, it will be higher than the rest of the house. For example, many tropical plants will require a humidity level of between 40 to 50 percent. There are a few ways to raise the humidity levels: 

  • Put a play filled with marbles in the middle of the plants. The heat from the marbles will cause the water to evaporate, creating a localized area of higher humidity. 
  • Use a humidifier. This is the easiest option. These devices will have a hygrometer installed, so you have more control over the humidity level. 
  • Enclose the indoor garden. Use an indoor greenhouse. This will give you more control over the humidity. It can also be a good way of raising the temperature. But it might not always be practical. 

Raising the temperature is fairly easy. You can use a heat lamp. If you need to cool it down, you can use a fan or spray water onto the leaves. 

6. Give the houseplants plenty of nutrients

Like all plants, you need to make sure that you are giving your houseplants the right amount of nutrients. It’s best to research the ideal NPK, as this can fluctuate between species. You can then work on getting the right mix of nutrients in the soil or altering the existing soil. 

If you need to add some nutrients, it’s best to do this during the spring months. This will help to fuel the plant’s growth during the summer months. 

Organic Fertilizer

organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizer I use for my plants

You don’t need to stick to chemical fertilizers. You can also use organic options. There are a few types of organic fertilizer you should be using. For example, use a small amount of chicken juice or compost. It’s best to steer clear of manures, you don’t want to stink out your house. 

Compost

compost
Compost I used for my potted plants

It’s often a good idea to use a small amount of compost. This is rich in the valuable nutrients that your plants need to grow. You just need to spread a small amount around the pot. Too much and it can become compacted, blocking the water from getting through. Once you are happy with the portion, you will need to water it in. 

7. Get rid of weeds in potting soil

Unlike outdoor plants, it will be fairly easy to protect indoor plants from weeds. They won’t get blown into the pot by the wind, which is how most weed spores germinate.

But they can still be introduced, especially if you are using compost. The best option is to remove them by hand. Make sure that you are taking out the roots, so they won’t be able to grow back. 

8. Protect houseplants from pests and diseases

Finally, you need to make sure that you are protecting them from diseases. One of the most common issues that you might notice is mold. This is often linked to being in a high-humidity environment. 

Some of the other potential diseases that you might need to deal with include: 

  • Rust rot or rust
  • Sooty mold 
  • Black mold

The type of disease your plants develop will determine how you treat it. For some infections, all you need to do is use some horticultural oil. If there is a more widespread infection, you might need to use a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water.


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