CANADIAN LIVING NOVEMBER 2019 | 69NATURAL SELECTION
One of the important requirements for healthy plants
is light. So look around your rooms before you com-
mit to a particular species. Does your space have
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Although all plants need light, some, like cacti and
succulents, prefer more than others, so the amount
of light available will guide to you in choosing plants
that are right for your surroundings.
Another factor to consider before you buy is the
presence of young children or pets in your home. If
you have kids, kittens or pups in the house, you need
to be sure that what you place at their level isn’t sharp
or toxic. Also pay attention to the level of care your
chosen plants need. If you tend to be away for long
periods of time and your species requires daily care,
you need to make sure that there’s someone available
to tend to your plants. Do your research and due dili-
gence before you make a trip to the garden centre.
When you’ve picked out the plants you want to
buy, check the state of what’s in the pot. Make sure
leaves are hydrated, not dry, and that the plant’s roots
are covered by soil. If the roots are making their way
through the drainage holes you will need to trans-
plant your specimen to a bigger pot. Ensure the soil is
damp and that there are no insects present.
LIGHT FANTASTIC
Generally, plants like to be placed by
east- or south-facing windows. To
make sure your plants stay healthy
during winter’s darker days, you may
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lights are not recommended, as they
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versions. Place the lights about three
feet above the plants and install a
timer so the lights mimic the cycle of
a natural spring or summer day.WATERING WORLD
One of the most common mistakes plant owners
make is to only give plants a little drink of water
when what they really need is a good soak (most
plants can be watered until liquid comes out of
the drainage holes in the pot). Empty any resid-
ual water gathered in the saucer after a few min-
utes to ensure the plant has taken up as much as
it needs. Between waterings, a good rule of
thumb is to wait until the soil is dry to the touch
before rewatering. When in doubt, poke your
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two inches down, your plant is thirsty! Certain
species that have sandy soil in their natural envi-
ronments, like succulents and cacti, require the
soil to be completely dry before getting another
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quarter around to help it reach for the sun from
every direction and maintain its symmetry.