Houseplants are wonderful additions to any home.  They may grace bookshelves, windowsills, or stand alone on end-tables.  Offices have long since known that indoor plants make for a relaxing environment, and it is therefore not surprising that many an office sports several varieties of these plants, some big, some small, to add decoration as well as calmness to an otherwise busy surrounding.

While growing plants indoors is not supposed to be a hard undertaking, there are several factors that need to be considered.  First and foremost, the plant needs to receive adequate light.  Next in line is adequate watering, fertilization, and also soil mix for a healthy root system.  Additionally, some houseplants will require regular pruning while others may not be as picky.  Pests, such as white flies, or fungi are also threats to a houseplant and need to be dealt with quickly and directly.

It is not surprising that some houseplants have gone to that great garden in the sky under the care of even the most diligent gardeners. Over-watering and several other accidental houseplant deaths are actually more common than you think.  Here is a list of the most common ones and some suggestions as to how to avoid them from happening to your houseplant:

Over-watering is quite possibly the number one reason for houseplant death.  Before happily and frequently watering your plant, be sure to check about the species-specific needs it may have.  Some plants like a lot of water, while others do not. While the average houseplant does not need to be watered more often than once every five days or so, there are always exceptions to this rule, and therefore prior to watering you might want to check the soil to make sure it is not still saturated from the last time you watered.

Under watering must rate as the number two reasons for accidental plant death.  How often did you forget when it was the last time you watered your plant?  How often did you ask your spouse or child to water and then did not check with them to make sure it actually happened?  It is a good idea to check on your houseplant every three days or so to make sure the soil is not bone dry to the touch.

Inadequate soil is another reason why many houseplants do not survive long. Depending on the species of plant, it is imperative to purchase the proper potting soil.  Cacti, for example, need a decidedly different kind of soil than your indoor fern.  Commercially available potting soil mixes should be used whenever possible.  Try to stay away from your garden soil, or from recycling soil from another plant.  Additionally, do not use topsoil, since it does not have the nutrients that are available in potting soil.

Fungi will quickly make your plant an unsightly spectacle, and more often than not they will kill it.  These can sometimes be avoided by not using soil from your garden when potting a plant.  Spores survive in the soil for long periods of time, and they will quickly sprout and attack your new houseplant.  If you do see a fungus infection on your, be sure to quickly consult with your local garden center for remedies to cure your plant and its soil.

Temperature extremes will surely kill many plants, or at least stunt their growth considerably.  Do not place your houseplants on top of your heaters, or allow leaves to touch windows that regularly frost over. Do not put your plant in front of a fan or next to the stove.  Some plants, however, enjoy the moisture that a bathroom will offer, such as ferns, and placing a plant in such an environment is appropriate.

The use of inappropriate fertilizers is next on the list of plant hazards.  Over-fertilizing will kill your plant more quickly than not fertilizing it at all, and it is best to use a fertilizer specially formulated for houseplants. 

It is evident that the addition of houseplants to any environment are a wonderful choice, and if you follow a few simple steps, you can avoid over-watering, or a host of other accidental houseplant deaths.  Your leafy companions will thank you for your care!

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