Indoor plant watering question (Please help if you have knowledge or experience with houseplants!)?

I bought a planter at Ikea that has 6 or 7 different kinds of plants in it and am not sure how I should be watering it. It doesn't have a sticker that says what the plants are but I did some looking around online and I think these plants (or some similar looking species) are what I have:





Schefflera arboricola "umbrella plant"


Aglaonema "Chinese Evergreen"


Aphelandra squarrosa "Zebra plant"


Chlorophytum comosum "Spider plant"


Dieffenbachia (maybe)


Ficus elastica "Rubber plant" (maybe)


Marantaceae "Prayer Plant" (maybe)


Sansevieria (some variety)





From what I understand these all have different light/water requirements. How frequently to I water this? Do I keep the soil moist?





Also do I need to turn it every once in awhile so the side facing my living room gets more light facing the window?





Thank you so much!!!

Indoor plant watering question (Please help if you have knowledge or experience with houseplants!)?
Most of them will grow at least ok under similar light and water conditions. Mixed planters like these, however, always wind up looking odd after a bit, as one plant outgrows the rest (and often outcompetes the others). It's also tricky to water an undrained planter -- so if you're a newbie to indoor gardening, and the planter has no drain holes, ask someone with experience to help you repot your plants into drained pots.





Frequency of watering will depend on the temperature, relative humidity, and how large the plants are. The easy way to tell is to stick your finger in the pot... if it's dry half an inch in, it's time to water. Fill the pot to the rim with water, and let it drain out the drainage hole in the bottom. Dump the saucer the pot is sitting on, and wait till the next time it's dry half an inch under... then water again.





Also, tap on the side of the pot before and after watering. Listen to difference in pitches... after awhile, you can tell by the sound whether or not you need to water. Or lift the pot before and after watering -- you can learn to tell by weight.





Yes, you'll want to turn the pot because the leaves will turn to face the light, and you'll be looking at a bunch of stems leaning thataway --%26gt;





If you're looking for a good, basic houseplant book, your local library may have a copy of the old Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening series -- you want the Foliage Houseplants volume. Or you can find it for a few bucks in used bookstores. Readable and good advice.
Reply:Biggest question is- are there drainage holes in the bottom of the container?? If so, than the water can drain out- that's a good thing. Stick your finger in the soil about an inch, and if it feels dry, give it some water, until you see the water coming out the bottom. If the soil feels soggy, wait to water it until the soil feels dry. If it has no holes, better just water it sparingly because the water cant drain out and the roots will get soggy and they will rot eventually. better of to mist it with a water spray bottle every 3-4 days depending on how hot it is in your house. none of those plants like direct sun, so place where they get indirect light. Turning is always good.


Good luck!
Reply:Nice dish garden you have there. Would water once per week. As mentioned, if in doubt, feel the soil.





Scheffy, rubber plant, dieffenbach's have the potential to grow into very substantial size plants - suggest disassembling your dish garden and plant them individually. You've got the makings of a lovely jungle.
Reply:I have two of those dish gardens, one in my kitchen and one in my family room. I've had both for four years. Both get indirect light from the window. I never turn them. I water once a week. I keep a pitcher of water for my plants. Chlorine from tap water isn't good for them so I run the water into the pitcher and let it sit overnight. That way the chlorine leeches out. Then I use a turkey baster to water the planters. I can get it down in between the plants and get the water at their roots that way.





I have a Dragon Plant and a Croton that I transplanted from dish gardens 20 years ago and an enormous Pothos vine that is the lone survivor in another pot I received about 10 years ago.
Reply:Hi! Oh how I love my houseplants!! Sounds like you have quite a mixture in your planter! OK... I water my plants once a week to once every two weeks. I go around and feel the dirt in each plnt and if it feels moist I don't water that one. Over watering is such a problem... down the road you might prepare for growth and separating your planter. My schefflarra is huge and it came in a planter! But after a while your planter will become root bound. You can buy these little "worms" at nurseries that let you know when to water again, but I trust my own judgement better, and it's just as easy to feel your soil. Hope I could help:)