Written by Administrator | 01 January 2007

It is likely that you received plants as gifts over the holiday season. Many people make a few mistakes when bringing in a new plant.

The most common mistake is to immediately repot a new plant. Most plants prefer to be slightly pot-bound, so it will rarely need to placed in a larger pot. Many people direct-plant into the decorative container they have chosen. It’s better to leave the plant in its grow pot, and place the grow pot inside of the decorative container. If the deco container is the same size as the grow pot, it should be fine to go ahead and repot. It’s still a good idea to let it stay in the grow pot for a little while. If you place a grow pot inside of a decorative container, but don’t like the way this looks, you can place some Spanish moss along the top of the soil and grow pot. This will hide the grow pot, and will also help your plant to retain moisture in the soil. This is strictly an aesthetic decision, and is only necessary by your choice.

Any plant that’s moved to a new environment is going to need time to adjust. Find a spot that matches the light requirements, and keep it away from drafts or vents. It’s common for plants to drop leaves while acclimating. Avoid the temptation to move a plant that’s in a suitable location, or to give more water during this time. It’s common for plants to dry out more quickly while they adjust, so always check the soil before watering. It may be necessary to water more often during acclimation, but this isn’t always the case.   

You won’t need to worry about fertilizer with new plants. Plants are typically given an abundance of nutrients in the nursery, so wait a few months before beginning a fertilizer regimen.