Looking to help your houseplants thrive without spending a dime? Check out these 10 clever DIY hacks that will boost your plant care routine and keep your green buddies happy and healthy. From simple repurposing ideas to natural remedies, these tips are easy, fun, and totally free!
Keeping your houseplants thriving doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can easily enhance their growth and health with smart DIY hacks that won’t break the bank. From simple home remedies to clever reuse ideas, these 10 tips will help your plants flourish while saving you time and money.
10 Genius Houseplant Hacks That Are Totally Free And Actually Work
Houseplants can bring life and joy to any space, but keeping them thriving doesn’t have to cost a thing.
During the winter months when our backyards are looking at their bleakest, it’s easy to forget how invigorating a splash of natural color can be. Blooms have fallen and we’re left with a few evergreen shrubs to lift our spirits. It’s at this time that houseplants show their true worth.
While we are not spending as much time tending to our outside spaces, it allows us to concentrate on our houseplants, ensuring they are cared for to help them thrive. However, after the holiday season, it’s also a time when many are looking to make savings where we can.
With top tips from houseplant experts, we’ve gathered 5 hacks to help you care for your plants without spending out, so you can continue to enjoy healthy houseplants for less.
With easy houseplant tips like DIY plant fertilizer and simple houseplant watering tips, you can make your indoor plants flourish. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these hacks will help you learn how to keep plants alive indoors and enjoy a green sanctuary.
1. Make Your Own Fertilizer From Kitchen Scraps
Using kitchen scraps for DIY plant fertilizer is a simple and eco-friendly way to boost your plants.
Banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds are all fantastic options that add nutrients to the soil. These easy houseplant tips not only help how to keep plants alive indoors, but they also reduce waste!
Although I always separate my food waste from other rubbish, you can divide your waste further to save items to make into a houseplant fertilizer. Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies suggests using banana peels, eggshells and coffee grounds, and says, “They’re natural and packed with nutrients that your plants will love.”
Bananas
Cheyan DuVal, plant expert at Palmstreet explains that bananas can be soaked in water to create a potassium-rich solution. The solution can then be used to water your plants.
Coffee
While coffee helps to perk you up, the leftover coffee grinds are a rich source of nitrogen, which helps plants grow. They can be added to compost, used as a liquid fertilizer or sprinkled around the base of the plant. But beware of using fresh grounds, as they have a higher acidic content that might unbalance your plants, while used grounds have a neutral pH.
Eggshells
Finely crushed eggshells are an excellent houseplant fertilizer that provides plants with calcium — a mineral that assists plants’ growth and development. Calcium helps to prevent weak stems, curling leaves, and slow growth, among other issues.
2. Diy Pest Spray With Household Ingredients
Got some unwanted pests on your low-maintenance houseplants? A simple DIY pest spray made from household ingredients can work wonders.
I prefer to garden organically when I can, and the same is true when tending to my houseplants. It’s a much safer and more sustainable way to care for our environment, while keeping chemicals out of our homes.
So, instead of purchasing a pest spray, make your own with a few household ingredients. You’ll also be able to make up as much as you need without cluttering your cupboards with endless bottles.
TIP:Just mix water with a few drops of dish soapand a pinch of baking soda for an affordable, effective pest deterrent. Spray it on your plants for easy houseplant pest control.
3. Dust And Shine Leaves Naturally
Keeping your plant leaves clean is super easy and free! Just grab a damp cloth and gently wipe the leaves to remove dust.
Banana skins will spruce up your houseplants. “Rub the inside of a banana peel on houseplant leaves to clean and shine them naturally. The oils in the peel help remove dust from plant leaves, leaving a healthy shine.
This little DIY hack helps your plants absorb more light, making them thrive indoors.
4. Rotate And Move Plants For Maximum Sunlight
To help your plants thrive, give them a little spin!
We all enjoy a bit of sunshine to brighten up our mood, and this is no different for houseplants. Moving them around lets each plant soak up the sunlight it craves, which is key for strong growth. Plus, this easy houseplant tip can prevent them from leaning to one side, making them look great too!
5. Repurpose Household Items As Plant Pots
Got some old mugs or jars lying around? They make fantastic pots for your low-maintenance houseplants!
Apart from finding free ways to care for your houseplants, I think it’s important that they are displayed well, too — the container you choose can make a big difference to a plant’s overall look.
However, one thing I find with houseplants is that when they are healthy, they grow! It’s one sure sign that I’m doing something right. But it does leave me with the task of finding larger pots for my ever-expanding collection.
This is a fun way to practice houseplant care tips, and it gives your space a personal touch.
6. Water Plants With Aquarium Or Fish Tank Water
Its Aquaponics in use to create healthy and vibrant plants.
If you have an aquarium, don’t toss out that old water! It’s packed with nutrients that can really help your houseplants thrive.
Just pour it directly into the soil, and watch your plants soak up all the goodness.
This is an easy houseplant tip that saves you money and gives your greenery a little boost!
7. Use Ice Cubes To Prevent Overwatering
Using ice cubes is a fun and simple way to water your plants.
For plants that are sensitive to overwatering, like orchids, try placing a few ice cubes on the soil once a week. The slow melting process prevents excess moisture while keeping the roots hydrated.
Just place a few on top of the soil, and they will melt slowly, providing moisture without the risk of overwatering. This method is one of the easy houseplant tips that can help keep your plants happy and healthy.
8. Revive Droopy Plants With A Quick Shower
If your houseplants are looking a bit sad, a quick shower can do wonders.
If your plants are looking dull and lifeless, give them a lukewarm shower. This washes off dust and pests while rehydrating the soil. Just be sure to let them drain properly afterward.
Just hold them under a gentle stream of water to refresh their leaves and roots. This simple hack is an easy houseplant tip that can help them perk right up!
9. Use Leftover Tea To Nourish Plants
If you have leftover tea, don’t throw it away!
Instead, pour it onto your potted plants for a boost of nutrients. This simple DIY plant fertilizer can help your indoor plants thrive while saving you some cash.
Used green or black tea leaves are full of tannic acid, which can help lower soil pH and boost plant health. Sprinkle dried tea leaves onto the soil or water plants with cooled, leftover tea (just make sure it’s unsweetened and without milk!).
10. Propagate New Plants For Free
Propagating plants is a fun way to grow your collection without spending a dime.
Want more houseplants without spending a penny? Take cuttings from your existing plants! Many common houseplants, like pothos, spider plants, and succulents, can be easily propagated in water or soil, giving you new plants at no cost.
Just take cuttings from your favorite houseplants and place them in water or soil until they grow roots. This DIY plant propagation method is perfect for anyone looking to keep their plants thriving!
You Can Keep Your Indoor Garden Thriving While Saving Money.
Taking care of your indoor plants doesn’t have to break the bank. With easy houseplant tips and DIY plant fertilizer, you can keep your green friends happy and healthy for free. Remember, simple houseplant care tips can go a long way in helping your indoor garden flourish.
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With these 10 genius houseplant hacks, you can keep your indoor jungle thriving without spending a dime! Now it’s your turn—try out these tips and watch your plants flourish.
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