Healthy Plants Choosing Tips: How to Choose Healthy Plants?

Introduction of How to Choose Healthy Plants?

Indoor or outdoor plants like Snake Plants, Philodendrons and more, are a great way to make your home aesthetically pleasing and air better. But remember that healthy plants are the foundation for any indoor plant's benefits. 

But how can I know whether my plants are healthy? Let's dive into the details of what makes houseplants healthy or unhealthy and how to choose the healthy one.

Healthy Plant vs Unhealthy Plant

Taking care of indoor plants requires close attention to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy plants. Explore the comparative analysis of healthy and unhealthy houseplants.

Leaves of Healthy and Unhealthy Plants:

• Healthy plants: The leaves of healthy plants are lush and firm, with a vibrant and consistent green colouration across the whole plant (check our Colorful Plants for a flair!). Emerging new growth indicates better overall fineness and richness of plants’ leaves.

• Unhealthy plants: The signs of unhealthy plant leaves are wilting, drooping, and dry tips. When leaves begin to wilt or droop, or when they become soft or fall off, it indicates that plants require water. Yellowing and browning are often linked with dryness, although they can also be signs of nitrogen deficiency. Nitrogen is one of the most critical nutrients for a lawn's strong and healthy growth. Almost every chlorophyll molecule produced by the grass species converts sunlight into sugars for fuel.

Stems of Healthy and Unhealthy Plants:

• Healthy Plants: In healthy plants, the stems must be stiff and straight, functioning as a base for the leaves. If you push or pull on them, they don't move. Instead, they stay positioned.

• Unhealthy Plants: Unhealthy plant stems are soft, mushy, and bent. This is a common cause when a plant's roots decay due to overwatering. As the roots deteriorate, the plant's overall structure weakens and becomes unable to support itself upright.

Soil of Healthy Plants and Unhealthy Plants:

• Healthy Plants: The potted plant soil is healthy when you place your finger in the potting medium up to the first knuckle. it should feel slightly moist to the touch, but not soggy. 

• Unhealthy Plants: The unhealthy potted plant soil sign is wet or soggy. Overwatering causes wet or soggy soil. This causes the root system to suffocate, making it difficult for air and essential nutrients to enter the plant. 

Learn how to avoid overwatering your small plants.

Growth Patterns of Healthy Plants and Unhealthy Plants:

• Healthy Plants: A healthy houseplant will grow at a regular pace. The bud produces fresh leaves regularly, and the stems grow evenly. Explore our Plants By Size collection for large (eye-catching plants) or small (space-saving plants).

• Unhealthy Plants: Stunted or inactive growth indicates poor plant health. Root damage or other underlying issues could hinder the plant from absorbing water and nutrients properly.

Overall Appearance of Healthy Plants and Unhealthy Plants:

• Healthy Plants: Healthy indoor plants seem to be bright and upright. It maintains an upright posture and shows little to no evidence of pests on its leaves or in the potting substance. Additionally, always maintain your houseplant healthily with the right care like adequate watering, ideal humidity conditions and following other care guidance of the houseplant.

• Unhealthy Plants: An unhealthy plant usually has withered and wilted foliage. They will lose their vivid colour, become scarce, and provide a habitat for pests such as fungus gnats. 

Learn how to remove fungus from gardens using natural remedies.

Root structure (visible through drainage holes) of Healthy Plants and Unhealthy Plants:

• Healthy Plants: A structure of white or light brown roots suggests a strong root system. These roots are not mushy and appear firm to the touch.

• Unhealthy Plants: The roots and soil will have an unpleasant odour due to brown, mushy roots that are caused by overwatering. 

How to choose a healthy plant?

Choosing a colour scheme for your furniture is easier than picking out a healthy, long-lived, and aesthetically pleasing houseplant. Here are some tips on how to choose a healthy plant (or good indoor plant): 

1. Rich Foliage: The leaves should be strong, bright green, uniform in shade, and show new leafy structural growth, which means the plant is growing. Leaf discolouration, withering, drooping, or burning may indicate disease or unhealthy plants.
2. Strong Stalks: Firm, straight stalks hold the leaves up. They shouldn't bend or get soft. 
3. Firm Root Structure: Strong, solid roots should resemble a white or light brown network. Roots that are brown or squishy are a sign of root rot and should be avoided.
4. Moisture-Rich But Not Soggy Soil: A soft feel might be an indication of root rot, which is a serious issue. The best ground moisture level is just a little damp, not soaked. Think of a sponge that is wet but not soaked.
5. No Visible Pest: Check the stems and leaves for mealybugs and spider mites.

Conclusion:

Identifying healthy and unhealthy plants is crucial to gardening at home. Healthy indoor plants have lush foliage, strong stems, firm root structure, moisture-rich but not soggy soil and optimal plant growth.

They must be watered carefully and consistently, and never overwater or wilted them. Additionally, avoid diseased or insect-infested plants. In contrast to healthy plants, unhealthy plants have any or all of these features.