The botanic boom that began during the COVID lockdowns has inspired many individuals to have indoor plants in their homes. That’s great! Are you one of them?

Having plants indoors is a great way to start a healthy hobby, and it can also help improve the quality of your indoor air. Plus, it is an easy way to spruce up your interiors.

We’re sharing these tips and tricks on indoor plant care in Toronto to help you get started with your potted plant project.

The Basics of Indoor Plant Care in Toronto

One of the best pieces of advice that a horticulturist or a veteran gardener can give new houseplant enthusiasts is to pick the best type of plants to grow inside your home. Some of the most popular houseplants to grow indoors are the snake plant, spider plant, pothos plant, monstera plant, and succulents. They are easier to maintain and can thrive even in colder climates.

Once you know which ones to get, you can then start planning for the basics of providing tender loving care to your botanical companions. You should research tips on watering, sunlight/lighting, humidity, cleaning, and soil and fertilizer for each type of plant.

As you can see, it does take a bit of work to get a hand on the nitty-gritty details and tasks of caring for indoor plants. It is only realistic to expect to kill a plant or two (maybe even more) in the process. Don’t get disheartened easily. Try again and do a little more research. Over time, your caring plant skills will bloom, and caring for your potted babies can be easier.

Indoor Plant Care in Toronto

As mentioned before, you want to choose houseplants that can survive and thrive in the unique environment of your locality.

Toronto is located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the Southern part of Canada. It has a continental climate, so it enjoys four seasons, making it a bit challenging to find an all-purpose plant. However, local plant shop owners and gardeners can give helpful insight on which types of plants are most suitable for Toronto’s climates and weather.

Summers tend to be very hot and humid, which means even tropical plants can thrive in Toronto homes during this season.

While the winter weather is milder than in other Canadian cities, it can still be very snowy and cold. In fact, the wind chill factor can be biting cold. Experienced Toronto plant parents say it’s best to start bringing in your houseplants indoors before freezing temperatures hit.

With this in mind, you can choose ideal plants to grow in Toronto and plan how to provide them with enough sunlight, moisture, nutrition, etc., indoors.

Check out additional tips and tricks on caring for your plants, whether you live in Toronto or other parts of Canada.

Tips and Tricks for Indoor Plant Care in Toronto

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1.Know the Plant Hardiness Zone of your locality.

Plant Hardiness Zones are geographically-defined areas based on climatic conditions. These zones determine which indoor and outdoor plants can survive in those particular areas. Natural Resource Canada provides a list of zones by the municipality.

2. Let there be light

Indoor plants need enough quality light, so they tend to thrive better in well-lit rooms. You can move your houseplants to a brighter area during winter. Some even use “grow lights” when natural sunlight is scarce. You can also place them nearer to windows. We can give your windows a good clean to make sure the dirt and grime don’t block out all that good sunshine.

3.Give them just enough water.

• Overwatering is a common cause of houseplant deaths. Some plants need more frequent watering, while others can do fine with just a bit of water once every two to three weeks. You also need to ensure your pots have good drainage.

Take note that interior plants need less water during winter.

4.Fertilizers are your friends,

• except in the winter because plants tend to be dormant, and their growth slows down. Thus, they don’t need fertilizers. But in the spring and summer months, they are actively growing, so it is best to feed them with the right fertilizers.

5.Keep kids and pets in mind.

Make sure they aren’t allergic to the houseplants you choose. Some plants (like lilies) can be harmful to animals.

6.Check the humidity.

• You can use a vaporizer or humidifier to ensure your plants get enough moisture when you have dry indoor air. Or, you can cluster several potted plants or surround them with cups of water.

7.Avoid direct heat and drafts.

• Don’t put your plants near heaters, windows without insulation, or frequently opened doors because extreme temperatures can quickly kill them.

8.Get rid of pests and dust.

• Unlike outdoor plants, inside plants don’t enjoy rain showers and don’t have a variety of natural bug repellents. That is why you have to regularly check them for pests and attend to the problem immediately. Regularly wipe leaves with a soft, damp cloth or put the plants under running water. This can help eliminate pests and dust that can clog their stomata (pores for breathing).

Bonus Tip: A quick way to check if your houseplants are getting sufficient moisture and light is to use a moisture meter and a light meter app on your phone.

Conclusion

Having plants inside your home can drastically change the quality of your indoor environment. While it can be challenging to care for plants, the benefits and rewards are well worth it.

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