And How NOT to Kill Them

There’s a lot of benefits that come with taking care of plants. Oftentimes, they don’t ask for a lot and they give you all that they can offer. Give them enough sun, water, and attention, your plants will grow beautifully in no time. However, it’s safe to say that most plants aren’t made the same.

Due to their unique habitat and surrounding environments, some plants have developed specific needs to grow. Much like people, every plant has its unique personality that can make them challenging to work with at times. However, with a lot of dedication and research, everything will be very well worth it.

In this blog, we’ll be sharing 5 plants that are surprisingly difficult to care for and give you some tips on how to care for them. If you find any of your plants in this list or if you’re planning to take one of them home, make sure to read on and find out more!

Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree

This plant is a crowd favorite among plant lovers everywhere. They’re well-loved by their large, luscious leaves and thin trunk. They’re the perfect addition to any Scandinavian-themed home. However, just as they are well-loved, they can be a bit of a challenge to care for. They’re finicky plants that are hard to keep alive.

So what can you do to keep your Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree happy and healthy? You can start by giving them enough bright, indirect light. Find a permanent spot for your tree. Avoid moving it around as this plant adapts poorly to changes in its environment. When watering, make sure to keep its soil moist but never soggy. They love moist air, so make sure to mist it often in the morning or set up a humidifier nearby.  

If you want to revive a dying fiddle-leaf fig, you can do so by chopping off the top of the trunk. Eventually, it will start growing new leaves. These are slow-growing plants so be patient with them.

Boston Fern

With it’s beautiful, lush leaves, the Boston fern is a great plant to add some jungle vibes into your home. They’re the best plants to use for projects like a living wall or a beautiful terrarium. However, if you want them to consistently look their best, you’ll need to be able to successfully mimic the environment of their original home.

There are plenty of ways to do this. The first thing that you need to do is get to know the needs of your Boston fern. Since their place of origin was in the tropical and subtropical rainforests, they thrive better in cool places with high humidity and bright, filtered lights. Set their pots on a tray full of pebbles or have a humidifier nearby. You can also mist their leaves in the morning once or twice a week.

Another thing to keep in mind is that dry soil is one of the reasons why Boston Ferns die. Keep their soil damp and check the soil daily and give it some water if it feels dry.

Venus Flytrap

A Venus flytrap is a peculiar plant. With its needle-like teeth and prey-catching abilities, it makes for a cool plant to have around. Just like with most houseplants, the secret to keeping them alive is to try to mimic the environment of their natural habitat.

They grow in the bogs of North and South Carolina. These places with high humidity, acidic soils, under full sun. Because of such, they can appreciate moist environments like a terrarium. They don’t necessarily need one to survive, just make sure to give them enough humidity.

As for watering a Venus flytrap, make sure to keep their soil consistently moist. Never give them water from the tap. These plants are sensitive to the minerals that hard water usually contains. Distilled water or rainwater works best for plants like these. Place it somewhere with direct sunlight for healthy growth.

Croton

Croton plants are well-loved for their beautiful, colorful foliage. If you want to add a pop of color to your home, consider bringing a Croton plant home. Although apart from the vibrant hues on their leaves, they’re also known for being one of the most difficult plants to grow.

These plants can be sensitive to low light and temperature. They don’t do too well to sudden temperature changes so make sure to check on it now and then maintain it. If the humidity of your home is low, you can mist the leave with water once a week. You can also place its indoor planter on top of a tray of pebbles.

This plant loves a lot of water, so it's best to keep their soil moist. Don’t water too much, avoid waterlogging as much as possible. Once you feel the surface of the soil is dry, make sure to water your Croton thoroughly.

Wandering Jew

One of the most stunning plants on this list is the Wandering Jew. This is a vining plant that looks perfect on a hanging basket. They’re known for their distinctive, purple and silver striped leaves that can be hard to maintain when you don’t know what to do.

To keep this plant healthy with its leaf markings, the first thing you need to do is place it somewhere with bright, indirect light. If the light gets too dim, its leaf markings will fade, and we don't want that. For the best watering practice, you’ll want to keep the soil slightly moist. Don’t water directly into the crown. Otherwise, your plant is in danger of root rot. Mist them now and then to keep them from drying out.

Another thing to note about these plants is that they do have a short lifespan. No matter how much care you put into your wandering jew, they’ll lose their leave at the base while it’s long legs continues to grow. As a result, you may need to renew your plan once a year or so.