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Oderings Garden Centres, quality plants, shop for plants, online store

Houseplant - Soil and Lighting Guide

Houseplant - Soil and Lighting Guide
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your houseplants and encourage their growth. Repotting ensures your plants have the right environment to thrive, and with tailored soil recipes, you can meet each plant's unique needs. Whether you’re supporting lush, hardy types or sun-loving succulents, the right soil and pot size will make all the difference. Understanding lighting requirements ensures your plants get the ideal exposure to keep them healthy and vibrant. Ready to give your plants the best starts this season? Let’s dive into these essential repotting tips and create the perfect home for your greenery.
 
 

In spring, it’s the perfect time to give your houseplants a fresh start! If your plants have outgrown their pots or need a good division, repotting is essential for their health and growth. To make sure your plants thrive, here are our secret soil recipes tailored for different types of houseplants. Grab your bowls, buckets, and ingredients to mix your custom soil.

 

Essential Ingredients for Soil Recipes (based on a 9L bucket)

  • Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
  • Coir block (hydrated)
  • Perlite
  • Fine pumice

 

Soil Recipes for Different Plant Needs

 

Mix One – The Lush and Hardy

For plants that prefer more hydration and lower light levels (e.g. creeping ficus, ivy, syngonium).

Mix:

  • 7 litres of Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
  • 4 cups of hydrated coir block
  • 2 cups of perlite

 

Mix Two – The Tropics

This is for plants that like medium to bright light and require freer-draining soil (e.g. pothos, calatheas, monstera, fiddle leaf fig).

Mix:

  • 7 litres of Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
  • 4 cups of hydrated coir block
  • 5 cups of perlite

 

Mix Three – The Sun Lovers

This is for sun-loving plants like cacti and succulents and those needing more drainage (e.g., hoya, chain of hearts, string of pearls).

Mix:

  • 7 litres of Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
  • 4 cups of hydrated coir block
  • 4 cups of perlite
  • 3 cups of fine pumice

 

Oderings Top Repotting Tips

  • When to Repot: Spring and summer are the best times to repot, as your houseplant is in its growth phase.
  • Pot Size: Choose a pot about 1/3 bigger than the existing one. Avoid going too large, as this can shock the plant, making it difficult to water.
  • Soil Level: Keep the plant at the same soil level as in the previous pot.
  • Fertilising: There is no need to fertilise for at least 3 months after repotting, as the new mix contains adequate nutrients.
  • Minimise Shock: Consider using a seaweed tonic to help your plant adjust to its new home.

 

Lighting Levels for Houseplants

Proper placement of your plants is crucial for their well-being. Most houseplants thrive in temperatures between 18°C and 14°C. Keep them away from cold draughts or direct air from heat pumps. Here's a guide to help you determine the ideal lighting for different plants:

 

Plant Lighting Requirements

 

Bright Direct Light

  • Cacti
  • Succulents
  • Sansevieria

 

Bright Indirect Light

  • String of Pearls
  • Hoyas
  • Devil’s Ivy
  • ZZ Plants
  • Peace Lily
  • Palms

 

Medium Light

  • Ferns
  • Philodendron Cordatum
  • Bridal Veil
  • Ficus
  • Peace Lily
  • Palms

 

Low Light

  • Zebrena
  • Peperomias
  • ZZ Plants
  • Ferns
  • Peace Lily

 

With these soil recipes and lighting tips, your plants are set to thrive through the spring and summer.

 

 

 

Oderings Garden Centres

NORTH ISLAND

Havelock North                                

Palmerston North                               

 

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OPENING HOURS

Christchurch

8am - 5pm, 7 days

 

Palmerston North / Havelock North 

8am - 5pm, 7 days

 

  



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