Top Mistakes Made When Caring For Office Plants

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just realized you have a green thumb, bringing plants

into each facet of your life is fun and exciting! However, there are several mistakes people can make when caring for their office plants that can lead to disastrous results. Below are a few of those common mistakes and the reasons why they are harmful.

Incorrect Watering and Light

For first-time plant owners, it can be easy to fall into the habit of “Walk into the office, grab the watering can, water all the plants, and start the day,” however, this can harm your plants! Each plant requires different amounts of water- some need significantly more water, while others, like the Sansevieria, “thrive on neglect" as we say! Overwatering can lead to root rot, loss of vibrancy, yellowing leaves, and molding. Underwatering can lead to plants dropping leaves and the plant drying up.

It is the same with light levels; some plants, such as succulents, need bright light levels, whereas the Kentia Palm can thrive in medium to low light levels. As with many things with plants, it is all about balance and knowing what your plants need!

Read more about the signs of improper light and watering and some tips on how to remedy those issues here!

Wrong Container

Have you ever worn a pair of shoes or an outfit that was too tight? It’s pretty uncomfortable- and plants feel the same way! If their container size is too small, the soil dries quickly, and the roots will become stunted as they have nowhere to go! You may think the solution is to get a big pot- which is not the case. If a container is too large, the soil dries much more slowly, which could lead to root rot!

Containers for plants need to be properly sized with good drainage to ensure the plant stays healthy and beautiful!

Temperature Changes

It takes about two weeks for your plants to adjust to their new environment. If your office has vents, it’s best to ensure your plants are not directly under or next to them- the cold and heat can damage them. Both air conditioning and heat can cause dry conditions, dehydrating your plant!

Not Checking Your Plants

If you purchase a plant from any old store and bring it in, you could risk an infestation. Many plants have bugs or bug sacs hidden in hard-to-see spots of the plants. Bringing these in without isolating and examining your plant carefully can mean an infestation of plant-eating bugs!

When getting your office plants, it is important to go with a reputable company or service.

Not Considering Your Office

Each plant has different needs regarding how often they need to be watered, how much, how much light they need, and more. Even if each plant needs water and light, as explained above, they all require different levels.

If your office has lower light levels, you want to ensure you pick a plant that can thrive in those conditions! If you know that your office is closed for three weeks of the year, or nobody comes in, it is important to choose a plant that can handle low water levels…It can be hard to keep track of!

Choosing plants for your space can get overwhelming, even if you have just four or five plants, all with different needs. That’s where we at Kim Parker Plants can help.

Each new project begins with our award-winning service and design. We have many different packages to choose from, and our team will assist you every step of the way! From the start, our team will go over your needs and suggest plants and designs that will work and flourish within your office. Our maintenance add-on ensures no over or under-watering will occur and that your plants will stay vibrant and lush! We love our plants, and we know you will too.

We proudly serve the Silicon Valley and Bay Area, and would love to assist you in your next plant project. To get started, call us at (408) 262-8989!