8 Clever Tricks to Keep Houseplants Happy

Help potted plants thrive, whether you're home or not.

Courtesy of A Baker's House

Add a Filter

Before you fill your pot with soil, line the bottom with a coffee filter. This will allow excess water to flow through the drainage hole, but keep dirt where it belongs.

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And Don't Forget the Grinds

When mixed with your potting soil, ground coffee, which is rich with nutrients, can help your plants grow. It's a smart addition to your compost pile, too.

Courtesy of A View from the Pines

Pile Pinecones

If you've got an abundance of pinecones in your yard, layer some at the base of a planter. They'll help with water drainage, and help you use less soil — which makes for a lighter, easy-to-move pot.

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Sneak in a Sponge

Absentminded plant owners take note: Placing a sponge at the bottom of the pot will collect excess water that your plant can continue to drink if you forget to water it.

Read more at HomeTalk »

Courtesy of Megan Andersen Read

Water Wisely

Not the prettiest solution, but this is a great option when you're out of town. Raid the recycling bin to create a DIY watering globe like this one.

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Or Try the Tub

When you're out of town, use your tub as a terrarium. In a sunny bathroom, place planters in a tub filled with a few inches of water, and cover them individually with dry-cleaning bags to keep plants hydrated.

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Remember the Rain

One writer at Apartment Therapy remembers how her clever (and frugal) grandmother would collect rain in buckets to water her indoor plants. You can even try putting hardier plants outside for a bit when it rains.

Read more at Apartment Therapy »

More from Good Housekeeping:

• The 13 Houseplants You Can't Kill

• Create an Elegant Tiered Planter in Just One Step

• 9 Houseplants You Can Totally Neglect

5 Plants That Help Keep Mosquitoes Away

We'll take a lovely lavender bush over an ugly bug zapper any day.

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The 13 Houseplants You Can't Kill

From: Good Housekeeping US

By Lauren Piro