Some people seem like they’re born with a green thumb while others might struggle to keep even the low maintenance Sansevieria (aka Snake Plant) alive. And while plants can seem somewhat mysterious at times, a new leaf on a potted friend can be all the payoff you need. If, like many people, you’ve acquired more than a few new leafy friends lately, you may find yourself with more greenery than you can manage now that life is getting busier. You’re not alone (you’re surrounded by plants, after all), and with a few digital tricks, you can help your plants live a long and fruitful life.
Keep reading for the health of your plants.
Plants are supposed to relax you, not stress you out. And yet, all too often, we find ourselves wondering the same thing: did I water you last week or not? To help prevent over or under watering, set up a plant category, watering schedule, and reminders for each plant in Microsoft Outlook to keep track of which needs water when, and how much. Your plants will appreciate the consistency and you’ll be able to focus on more important things, like researching your next plant.
While a watering schedule is a great start, every plant and home are different. Some are more humid, others are drier. Seasonal changes and growth cycles can affect your plants’ needs as well as how much light they get and the kind of soil you’re using. There can be a lot to remember! Use Microsoft OneNote to keep track of all your plants’ preferences. Add images, watering needs, light requirements, and your home’s specific conditions.
Does your plant respond to music? Add it to your OneNote. It has been proven that plants grow better and faster with music—choose your tracks wisely though because the genre (think classical music vs. heavy metal) can impact your plant’s growth, mass, and fruit taste! No detail is too small to matter. The plant “cheat sheet” you create will come in handy if you ever need someone to take care of your plants while you’re away.
Mother Nature has been caring for plants for eons so she must know a thing or two. If you’re planting outside, take a cue from your surroundings and grow species native to your area. If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11, keep the Live and Local Weather Widget handy so you can take advantage of any rain headed your way—double points for water conservation and avoiding over watering. Keep an eye on heat, humidity, wind, and cold snaps so you can provide additional water or protect delicate growers from harsh conditions.
There’s no question that plants, indoors and out, can bring a lot of joy—not to mention clean oxygen—into our lives, but learning to care for them can take time. Enjoy the discovery and don’t hesitate to use a few nontraditional tools to help you out along the way.
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