How to Make Your Houseplants Grow FASTER

Houseplants are a great way to spruce up any room of a home and have countless benefits. Obviously, we're big fans of houseplants here at The Plant Dads... so much so that we wrote a whole post about why we love houseplants. 

What's the best thing about parenting plants?

Watching..

them...

GROW!

Though plants are fairly constricted by what Mother Nature has planned for them, there are certain things we humans can do to help speed up the process. 

When plants seem to be growing slower than they should, it may be a sign that one or more of the plant's needs aren't being met. The proper amount of water and sunlight can have a huge impact on the plant's growth habits. Additionally, there may be issues with the soil that is being used, or even the temperature of the room.

Using Fertilizers

Using fertilizers can certainly help a plant grow to its full potential. There are a range of fertilizers available, each made for specific types of plants, so just make sure you're picking out the correct one for your plant. You can spray the fertilizer directly onto the plant's soil, or mix with water before a regularly scheduled watering. Consult the directions on the fertilizer you've selected to make sure you're using it properly.

We also offer two great fertilizers, Thrive Premium Houseplant Fertilizer and Boost Premium Houseplant Fertilizer! Thrive is for regular fertilizing needs, while Boost is for when your plant is having a sudden growing spurt (or for when you're trying to encourage some added growth)!

Sunlight

Remember photosynthesis from elementary school? Unlike some of the crazy math we all were taught, photosynthesis actually is something you're using as an adult!

Our houseplants turn their water and the carbon dioxide in the air into the carbohydrates and sugars needed to grow, but they can only do this with the help of proper sunlight. 

Each plant's light requirements differ, but all plants need some amount of light, be it provided by the sun or through grow lights. Using a grow light for your plants can actually have a huge impact on the plant's growth, hence why Aerogarden and similar all-in-one products have such great results.

Water

Proper watering also plays a huge role in a plant's growth patterns. If a plant is receiving too little, or too much, water, its growth can be stunted by the lack of nutrients the water provides. 

As with lighting needs, a plant's water requirements vary from plant to plant. With a little research, you'll be able to quickly determine how much water your plant needs, and how frequently.

Proper Pot Size

A plant's pot can also be the cause of a plant's seemingly slow growth. Once a plant has outgrown its pot it can become root-bound, with the roots forming a large mass in the pot. The plant is unable to grow any taller or wider if the roots are constricted. 

You certainly don't want to place a plant in a pot that is too large for it, as the roots will potentially struggle to find the water in a pot that's filled with mostly soil. A pot slightly larger than the one you're currently using should fix the problem and allow your plant's roots to spread out and start growing again.

It all comes down to meeting the needs of each of your plants. With every plant having unique requirements, it can be overwhelming at times to determine what exactly your plant needs. Once you determine the proper conditions for your plant, and you see that it's growing at an appropriate speed, just keep doing what you're doing! Patience is the name of the game sometimes with plants, but in the long run you'll be sure to have a plant that's reached its full potential!

~Happy Planting! 💚