9 Common Indoor Gardening Mistakes Every Beginner Makes

When you started your indoor garden in your New York home, it was an exciting adventure and a rewarding hobby. But somehow, along the way, you may have noted that it takes time to get the harvest you deserve. It’s normal to make mistakes when starting your indoor garden as a beginner. However, the lack of a good indoor plant care regime potentially kills your plants and could make you give up on your gardening dream. 

So, how do you prevent your houseplants from dying and withering in their pots? Worry not. In this article, we will explore 10 common indoor gardening mistakes that you may be making and how best to avoid them to keep your houseplants healthy and alive. Let’s dive in.

Common Indoor Gardening Mistakes

1. Overwatering

When you start indoor gardening, it is easy to overestimate how much water the plants need. Some plants need more water than others. Not all plants need daily watering. Most of them need moderate humidity, and you should water them once or twice a week. 

The best way to know how much water the plant needs is to check the soil regularly for signs that it needs more water. The plant needs water if the first inch of the soil is dry. However, this may be different for some plants, so always confirm the different water needs of each plant.

Plants often grow slowly during winter or cooler months and need less water. So always check the soil first to avoid overwatering your plants. If the soil is saturated with water, the root may rot, eventually killing the plant. Ensure you have pots with a good drainage system to let out excess water.

In dry months, use a spray bottle between watering days to moisten the soil without soaking the plant with too much water.

2. Too much or too little light

One common indoor gardening mistake most people make is placing plants in areas without sufficient sunlight. Plants need light to grow and can wither away if they don’t get enough. The problem may be that the light was enough during summer, but that’s not the case during winter when the light is less intense.

On the flip side, too much or scorching sunlight can also cause the death of some plants. You need to know the requirements of your indoor plants since some need more light than others, depending on the stage of growth and the plant species. Invest in good grow lights to boost the growth of your indoor plants.

3. Under-watering

It is easy to forget your plants when you have a busy routine. However, giving the plant less water than it needs has worse effects than overwatering.

Set reminders to check your plants daily so that you understand how much water your plant needs. After a while, you’ll have a good idea of the best watering schedule.

4. Using the wrong Containers

Growing large plants in small containers will restrict their growth, particularly if they have large roots. If you plant in a shallow container, it will also limit their growth.

The best way to do this is to understand the type of plant and choose the right container size. If the plant has outgrown the small containers, transfer them to bigger ones with new high-quality soil to provide extra nutrients.

Another mistake is choosing the aesthetics instead of the functionality of the containers. If you go for mason jars instead of pots with drainage holes, it is easy to overwater and kill your plant.

Choose the right type and size of container and ensure they have good drainage. You can improvise with takeout containers, but ensure you poke holes to let out excess water.

5. Overcrowding

One of the most common indoor gardening mistakes for beginners is buying a dozen plants and then getting discouraged if only a few or none grow. Plants need space and time to thrive. I understand the zeal that comes with growing your first indoor garden. You may get too excited and want to plant everything at once. Start slow and keep your expectations low to avoid getting disappointed.

Placing too many plants in one space and trying to grow them simultaneously can be counterintuitive.

Gardening requires time and patience, especially if you’re growing from the seeds. Some plants need special attention. So it is best to start slowly with a few plants, maybe 2 or 3 similar plants with the same requirements, and then slowly grow from there.

6. Buying low-quality seedlings

The type of plants you buy determines the success of your gardening dream. If you buy weak or sickly plants, you will have difficulty trying to make them grow.

Buy high-quality plants in a reputable nursery in New York to increase the chances of a good yield. A good plant nursery provides the best plant care and gives healthy and disease-free seedlings. They will also give you tips on the best plants for your indoor garden and the appropriate growing conditions.

Ensure to examine the plants before purchasing. Look for signs of wilting leaves, sickly stems, pests, or damage. If it doesn’t look healthy, don’t buy it.

7. Planting different plants in similar locations

As a beginner gardener, you may be excited about planting as many varieties as possible.  The problem is placing different plants in the same location and adopting the same plant care regime, yet plants have different needs for water, light, and other general care. 

Avoid keeping different plants in the same location.  Some may need more sunlight than others, while others need shade. Keep in mind what each plant needs and give that.

8. Not Using Fertilizer

Indoor plants need more nourishment than those grown outside in the garden.  The plant only has nutrients in the soil filled in the small pots, while outdoor plants can grow their roots in any direction toward nutrients.

Furthermore, the soil in containers may lose nutrients due to watering and cannot form new nutrients, unlike outdoors, where they can be formed naturally.

Therefore, indoor plants need more fertilizer. But the quantity depends on the needs of each plant. Change the soil regularly once you harvest the plants to give new plants healthy soil..

9. Not Pruning

Cutting off pieces of your plant may seem like taking it back, but pruning promotes healthy plant growth. It ensures that you remove dead or weak leaves and branches to allow more healthy ones to grow and reduce attack by pests.

Check your plant regularly and prune off weak leaves. Clean the leaves regularly as part of an indoor plant care regime to improve your plant’s health and keep it shiny and beautiful. Also, harvest your mature vegetables, herbs, and fruits to encourage the plant to grow more.

Final Thoughts 

Hopefully, this list of common indoor gardening mistakes will help you avoid these mistakes. Don’t give up. You can start again and follow the tips in this article to grow a beautiful indoor garden you will be proud of.

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