Green Plant Care

Overview

Keeping green plants in the home, yard or garden is rewarding, and adds beauty and nature to any space. But all green plants come with some general care requirements if they're to grow and thrive. Individual green plants may require more extensive care, depending on their location and specific growing needs.

The Facts--Green Plants

Green plants consist of green stems, leaves and a root system, and are so classed for their green color and growing needs. The green in the plants comes from the presence of chlorophyll, which combines different substances to produce starch as plant food.

Types

Green plants may or may not flower, depending on variety. Many green plants grow both outdoors or inside in pots, but all green plants have certain requirements for survival.

Sunshine Needs

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services states that photosynthesis, or the process of plants feeding themselves, consists quite simply of chlorophyll making energy from light. All green plants therefore require sunlight for growth. Different plants require different levels of light and exposure times, ranging from full sun for eight hours of the day to full shade, with no tolerance for direct sunshine.

Water Needs

Plants cannot grow without adequate water, though different varieties of green plants require different watering schedules. Water needs may range from water plants, which grow with their roots submerged, to plants that prefer dry, arid conditions.

Vitamins and Minerals

According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, green plants garner 13 mineral nutrients from their soil and fertilizer. Green plants therefore require supportive soil foundations, and do well in combinations of quick-draining soil and organic compost. Different varieties of plants require different feeding schedules, with one of a number of different fertilizer combinations.

Pruning

Although many green plants need only minor pruning, some need consistent, thorough clean-up sessions. Every green plant does best when old, dead or diseased foliage is trimmed off. Elimination of dead foliage gives plants a chance to put all resources into new growth and flowering.