Interview with Christopher Balogh

There’s something about being surrounded by living things and being tasked with keeping them alive that gives people so much happiness and fulfillment.

According to the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, just fifteen minutes of interacting with plants can reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure. So it’s no surprise that the demand for houseplants surged by 18 percent during the pandemic, and there’s no sign of this trend slowing. If you’re interested in jumping on the bandwagon, here are some tips for proper plant care and incorporating them into your home design.

How to care for your plant

Christopher Balogh, a plant scientist with a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology, shares what he loves about plants and offers some guidance on how to become the best plant parent you can be.

Why did you choose to study plants?

I first learned how to care for plants by watering, repotting, and generally tending to the ones in my parents’ house. I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a little kid, especially orchids. Their reproduction is really fascinating—they have so many diverse strategies for attracting pollinators.

What is your favorite houseplant?

My dwarf Meyer lemon tree. It’s three feet tall, and it just keeps making lemons. I have a set of grow lights in a room in my basement that I keep it under during colder months, and in summer, I move it outside into a sunny spot in my backyard.

What is the benefit of putting your plants outside in the summer?

Partly the heat, partly the sunlight, and partly the air movement. Air movement prevents certain diseases from settling on the leaves of the plant.

What are some good plants for beginners?

An easy one to grow is the ZZ plant. It’s very low-maintenance and really hard to kill. Indirect sun is best, though it grows surprisingly well under fluorescent lights. It tolerates neglect, too, as it only needs to be watered every two to three weeks. The cast-iron plant is another variety that is beginner friendly. It can handle indirect or even very little light, insects don’t like it, and it rarely gets diseased.

Asparagus ferns are also good for newbies. While not real ferns, these plants are pretty and hardy, though they like brighter light more than the other two I mentioned. Peace lilies are popular and perform well in medium to bright light; just be aware of the humidity because too much light without it can burn their leaves. And spider plants are very easy to grow and propagate.

What should you do if your plant is drooping?

That could mean you are overwatering it. Make sure the soil dries out somewhat before you water it again, and test the moisture level with your finger. And if the plant is in a pot without drainage, switch it to one with a hole; otherwise the water collects in the bottom and the roots are unable to get oxygen. I’ll fill a saucer with pebbles and put the potted plant on top of them, which lets water run out into the saucer. As a bonus, if it’s something that needs humidity, such as a peace lily, the water will evaporate and keep the humidity level a bit higher.

What do yellowing leaves mean?

If the yellow leaves are toward the bottom of the plant, that can indicate it’s overwatered or doesn’t have enough fertilizer. But if the soil does not feel oversaturated, your plant may just need better light.

What is a harmful myth you’d like to dispel?

Don’t spray dish detergent on your plants to deter bugs. That’s like spraying a bunch of sodium on them, and it can kill them.

Is it OK to water your plants with tap water?

Tap water often contains chlorine or chloramine, neither of which is very good for plants. If you want your houseplants to do well, you should leave tap water to sit out for two days before you use it to let the chlorine evaporate (though this will not help if your water contains chloramine) or just use distilled water. You can test your tap water with test strips from the local fish supply store; they sell ones for both chlorine and ammonia. Test for chlorine first, and if that’s positive, add some water conditioner that removes it. Then test the water for ammonia. If those results are positive, that means you have chloramine in your water.

What do plants need aside from water?

Plants need nutrients, the most common being potassium, nitrogen, and potash. Something like an air plant will pull these from dust in the air, and carnivorous plants get theirs from insects. But common houseplants need nutrients in their soil via water or mixed-in fertilizer.

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with some easy plants to start with and know how to best care for them, you can use the following tips to transform your home into a plant oasis.

Prioritize care

Aesthetics are important, but you should always take your plants’ needs into account first. Place sun-loving plants on south-facing windowsills to ensure they get the day-long sun they need, and make sure to keep plants susceptible to burned leaves away from direct light.

Design with pots

Tailor your pot choices to your home’s style. Opt for neutral earth tones only to create a minimalist look, or select a wider range of colors and patterns to brighten your space.

Vary sizes

This strategy is similar to the one for outdoor landscaping. For a more organic tableau, group plants of various sizes and heights together or place them on surfaces of different heights, like on a stool, an end table, and the floor.

Mix leaf types

Plants come in so many different fun textures, shapes, and sheens. Use this variety to your advantage by playing with the juxtaposition to create visual interest.

Armed with these tips and tricks, you can join the ranks of people bringing nature indoors and learning to nurture their leafy babies. When plant care meets plant design, the result is a home that feels relaxing, rewarding, and bursting with happy fronds.