We get it; as a busy plant lover, you may wish to spend a little extra time looking after your indoor garden. However, your schedule might make spending hours caring for plants a bit unrealistic. But don’t worry, spending 30 seconds to 5 minutes a day is all you need to keep your plants healthy.
These microroutines, whether you’re a new or experienced plant parent, are designed to make a seamless fit into your busy schedule. The team at Podhghar recognizes the value of time, and we know the amount of effort that goes into taking care of living things, and we are excited to help you optimize the time you spend on taking care of your plants!
🌱 Chapter 1: The Importance of a Quick Plant Care Routine
Life will always be busy; this might result in needing to neglect the plant care routine. This is not only bad because it requires time and effort, but in terms of aesthetics, it isn’t the best scenario either. A small everyday plant care routine will help make your plants thrive, and not just survive.
Routine cleaning allows you to quickly identify potential problems such as dead leaves due to underwatering, overwatering, or wobbly pots. Most importantly, tending to plants on a daily basis helps to strengthen the bond with them while also being able to assess their condition and state of health, which is not too overwhelming.
At Podhghar, we emphasize the importance of being consistent. Offering full attention even when it is as little as two minutes in a day helps to make sure that the plants remain healthy and well looked after.
🌿 Chapter 2: Morning Routine – 0.5 to 1 Minute 🌞
1. Remove Dust and Dirt
Every day, first thing in the morning, spend a minute to scrub your plants’ leaves with a soft cloth like a microfiber cloth. This gets rid of any dust, dirt, or webs from pests such as spider mites. Furthermore, sunlight is absorbed better by clean leaves and thus the process of photosynthesis becomes more effective.
Podhghar tip: Try soaking the cloth before wiping. Otherwise, for larger-leaved plants such as monstera or rubber plants, mix water and add a few drops of mild dish soap to remove stubborn dirt.
2. Rotate Your Plants
Use your fingers to achieve a 90-degree rotation of your plants every morning. With the assistance of light, plants tend to grow toward the source of light. Rotation allows balanced growth; therefore, plants can be evenly distributed in light. This basic maneuver inhibits lopsided plant growth and allows even distribution of sun exposure to every leaf.
🌱 Chapter 3: Midday Check – 1 to 2 Minutes 🌞
1. Check for Watering Needs
Assess visually whether your plant in your Podhghar is in need of a drink. An easy method to check is by sampling the top section of the soil. If it feels like sandpaper, your plant is likely thirsty. If the soil isn’t dry yet, wait until it’s fully dry before watering.
Podhghar Tip: It is advisable to take action to water your plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Excessive watering of plants is not recommended, as this leads to root rot. Thus, it is best to under-water plants compared to over-watering them.
2. Look for Insect Collectors
Insect collectors can appear slowly without notice, especially if proper maintenance isn’t practiced on your plants in your Podhghar. A quick check for flies and webs is always a good idea. Pay attention to tiny specks, sticky traps, or fine webs on your leaves, as these could signal the presence of aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs.
In the event that you witness some insect collectors, make sure you respond and resolve. You may spray your plant with water or a plant-friendly soap diluted with water to rid the insects.
3. Correct For Light Periods
Daytime is the best moment to check whether your plants in your Podhghar are getting sufficient sunlight. If a plant seems to favor a particular window, consider shifting it to ensure it receives balanced light without being overwhelmed. Rotate the pot as necessary to optimize light reception for even growth.
🌿 Chapter 4: Exercises Between Tasks – 2 – 3 mins Afternoon Rest Break 🌞
1. Remove the Leaves Which are Dead or Yellowing
Pruning dead or yellowing leaves will ensure your plant focuses on vigorous growth in healthy areas. You may simply pinch or scissor the dead leaves using a clean pair of scissors or pruning shears.
Podhghar Tip: You can prune your plants every few days as it assists in keeping them healthy and visually appealing. When disinfecting scissors, clean them between each cut to prevent infecting the plant with a disease or pest.
2. Watering – The 30 Second Hydration Check
If you have a handful of plants in your Podhghar that require periodic watering, examine them quickly. If the plant is dry, add a small amount of water to the pot, ensuring it doesn’t flood, allowing the roots to absorb the moisture. For plants with removable drainage pots, make sure there’s no standing water in the pot to prevent root rot.
Podhghar Tip: Make sure to check the water’s exit point after the drainage hole. If water should be exiting the pot but does not, this is a sign the plant roots may be getting too saturated.
3. Proper Humidity Needs (for Tropical Plants)
Ferns, calatheas, and peace lilies require a tropical climate to thrive. If you live in a dry area, consider placing a tray filled with water below the plants in your Podhghar so they can absorb moisture. This tip is especially useful during winter when indoor air tends to become quite dry.
🌱 Chapter 5: Evening Schedule – 30 seconds to 1 Minute 🌙
1. Inspect the Drainage Tray
If you have watered your plants, check their drainage trays. Standing water in the tray can encourage root rot. This is especially so in succulents, which require well-draining soil.
2. Provide Proper Nighttime Rest
The plants also undergo restorative processes during periods of darkness. Ensure that your plants are located in spots where they can rest without being disturbed by lights in the house.
🌿 Chapter 6: Weekly Plant Maintenance – 5 Minutes On One Day 🌱
If you’re struggling for time, take one day in a week to perform a slightly extended routine. Here’s what you can work on:
1. Check the Roots
Allocate some time to check the roots of your plants. Take them out of their pot, and look for root rot (browned, mushy roots) or whether they are overcrowding and stagnant. Your plant may need to be repotted if it appears root-bound.
Podhghar Tip: If you notice any root rot, cut the rot with a clean pair of scissors and repot the plant in new fresh soil.
2. If Needed, Repotting
Time to repot when your plant roots are bound or once a year. Pick a pot that is one or two inches bigger than the current one and check if the pot has drainage holes because it needs to be porous.
3. Fertilize
In case you’ve not been fertilizing your plants, now’s the season to increase your perk. Vary the feed rate to the type of plant, use liquid feeds or slow-release pellets. Do not go overboard with feeds because they can burn the roots or make them grow too fast.
🌱 Chapter 7: Bonus Tips For The Time-Strapped Plant Parent 🌟
1. Tailor-Made Care Schedule For Each Plant
If you are the type of person who tends to get lost with the day-to-day hustle, then setting a plant care reminder on your phone will help you with watering, adding fertilizer, and pest monitoring. Just breathe for a second and use a spare moment to set automation for dates you need to check off a routine.
2. Adopt Self-Watering Containers
For the plant enthusiast, self-watering pots can be a great help in your Podhghar. These containers have a built-in reservoir that allows the plant to draw water as needed. This reduces the watering frequency and makes it easier to maintain the health of your plants.
3. Switch to Plants that Require Lesser Attention
If your time is very limited, switching to snake plants, succulents, or pothos would be best. These plants are more forgiving when it comes to the intervals between watering sessions.
🌿 Chapter 8: How Podhghar Can Help You Maintain Your Plant Care Practice 🌿
At Podhghar, we believe in work-life balance. This is why we designed a range of care products and tools that effortlessly fit into your schedule. Focusing on self-watering pots, eco-friendly fertilizers, and customized plant kits, we ensure that all your plants flourish with minimal effort.
Conclusion: Your Plants Will Thrive with just 0.5 to 5 minutes a day. 🌿
Your work schedule shouldn’t dictate the amount of care and attention tasks like watering and pruning require. In fact, with proper attention to routines, plants in your Podhghar can thrive with just 30 seconds to five minutes of daily care.
At Podhghar, our mission is to help our customers simply and sustainably take care of their plants—even on the busiest days. Your schedule shouldn’t dictate the time you get to engage with your plants.
So take those 0.5 to 5 minutes and shower your plants with some much-deserved love! 🌿💚