If you're occasionally at a loss about how to keep your houseplants as beautiful as they were the day you bought them, you're not alone. Most gardeners find that growing tomatoes or a beautiful bed of flowers is much easier than keeping houseplants alive. It seems that one day they're fine and the next they're dropping leaves and are infested with something.

It's actually not that difficult to keep houseplants happy, but you do need to pay attention to their basic needs, and take care of any pest problems right away. Here are some helpful hints to help you with your houseplant solutions and have a green thumb indoors.

Know Your Plants

All plants need food, water and sunlight to survive, but different plants require different amounts. This holds true for houseplants as well as the plants in your garden. For example, ficus trees generally thrive with indirect light and moist soil, whereas cacti require bright light and dry soil.

Make sure you choose houseplants that will thrive on the amount of light you can provide. If your house only supplies indirect light you have to stay away from cacti and those plants that require bright light. Healthy plants will be able to ward off pests and disease much better than weak plants.

Indoor plants also need regular fertilizing to maintain healthy growth. A great all-around fertilizer that can be added right to your watering can is a balanced formula that contains a 6-12-6 fertilizer, humic and amino acids, and vitamins. As a general rule, most houseplants should be fertilized from January through September, and should then be allowed to "rest" for a few months.

Provide Consistent Water

Most plants like having their roots consistently moist, but not soaking wet. Some plants prefer to dry out a bit between waterings. For new plants, check the care label, this will help you determine the right watering routine. Self-watering planters make it easier to keep plants watered.

Prevent Pest Problems

When a houseplant gets attacked by an insect pest, the problem can quickly spread to other plants. Preventing insects from entering your home is the key to indoor insect control.

Check houseplants for disease or insects before you buy them. It might be a good idea to isolate them for a couple weeks, just to make sure there are no problems. Each time you water your house plants, inspect both sides of the leaves for signs of pests or disease. If you see anything suspect, remove that plant from your other plants until you have eliminated the problem.

It is also a good idea to wash the leaves of your plants several times a year. Dust and grime on houseplants doesn't just look bad; it is also bad for the health of the plant. Dust clogs the "pores" of plant leaves, making it difficult for the plant to respirate. In addition, dust filters sunlight before it reaches the plant, decreasing the amount of photosynthesis the plant can undertake. Dust and grime can also attract and harbor spider mites and other insect pests.

Wash smooth-leaved houseplants with a moist, soft cloth. For plants with many small leaves, use a hand sprayer or sink sprayer to douse them with water. Another option is to place the plant under a shower head and spray it, but only use a fine mist shower as not to damage the leaves. In all cases, the water should be lukewarm--not cold or hot. You can add a few drops of mild liquid dishwashing soap or insecticidal soap to the water as well.

Never use a feather duster to clean plants, because dusters can easily transfer tiny insects or eggs from one plant to another.