Interested in learning more about rotating houseplants? Here is my complete guide!
Today I am going to share a really simple - ten seconds, people! - and totally free way to show your potted houseplants some love: by rotating them!
Rotating houseplants: here’s why you should do it
Do any of your potted plants lean towards the light?
Or are they just tilting to one side? Looking visually imbalanced?
Are the leaves or flowers themselves on each plant turned to one side?
You might need to rotate your houseplants.
It is completely natural for plants to lean towards the light. In fact, this is a survival technique! Leaning towards the light allows the surface area of the plant to absorb more light and get more energy to grow.
Unfortunately, leaning plants can look pretty strange. If you want Instagram-worthy plants, you might want them to straighten out.
Here are some tips for rotating your potted plants.
How often should you rotate your plants?
This is totally up to you. I have certain plants that I water once per week (a taller fiddle leaf fig, for example) that I rotate ¼ turn each time I water it. This helps keep the stem growing straight.
However, I don't rotate all of my plants that often. Many of them, I don't rotate until I see the side of the plant leading towards a light source.
Fast growing plants might change their direction quickly, while some plants take a while to straighten out.
Do I need to rotate plants under a fluorescent light?
It depends where the light is! If the light is directly overhead, the plant should grow straight up. If the light is to the side, put it to the side opposite the natural light to help balance the plant.
Do I need to rotate outdoor plants?
It depends on the light source. Outdoor plants often get more and more varied light than indoor plants.
If they are getting light primarily from one direction, then yes! If the light travels the full horizon of the sun, then no. But, it can't hurt to try!
Any other questions about rotating plants?
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I'm Morgan, a houseplant enthusiast from sunny Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up surrounded by my mom's lush orchids and African violets, I discovered the magic of bringing nature indoors. Thanks to the pandemic, I delved deeper into houseplants, discovering their power to uplift moods and transform spaces. I'm here to spill all my secrets, helping you pick the perfect houseplant - and make it happy. Let's keep your plants alive, together! 😊
