by Melinda Myers
Fight the post-holiday blues with a little indoor gardening. Keeping your houseplants healthy this winter and looking their best with a little maintenance will lift your spirits.
Cut off dead leaves as they appear. Use sharp scissors or bypass pruners to make a clean cut that looks neat and closes quickly. An occasional browning leaf isn’t usually a problem, but if browning persists, it may be time to take action. Evaluate growing conditions and make necessary adjustments.
Brown leaves are often caused by low humidity, which is common in many homes during the winter. Increase the humidity in your home by grouping plants. As a plant loses moisture through its leaves through transpiration, neighboring plants benefit. Add pebbles or marbles in the trivets or trays under the plants. Allow excess water to collect in the pebbles under the pot. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant. Move plants that need moist soil and high humidity into a terrarium. They are attractive home decorations and make it easier to care for high-maintenance plants.
Overwatering and underwatering can also result in brown leaves, leaf edges, and tips. Water thoroughly if necessary. Fundamental frequency from the plants you are growing, room temperature and humidity. Tropical plants need an evenly moist soil, while cacti and succulents like it drier. With lower light levels in many homes, plants grow more slowly and may need less frequent watering in winter. Drain off any excess water that collects in the saucer, which can cause root rot.
Stop fertilizing houseplants in winter unless they are actively growing. Applying fertilizer that plants don’t need can cause root damage, resulting in leaf discoloration.
Cut off brown tips commonly found on spider plants, dracaenas, ti plants and prayer plants that are sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in the water. Avoid the problem by using chemical-free water.
Wipe the dust off the leaves with a damp cloth. Use a cosmetic brush to clean the fluffy leaves of plants like African violets. Keeping your plants clean and cared for also helps reduce insect and disease problems.
Additionally protect plants from pests with Summit Sticky Traps (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com). Just place one or two in the pot, sticky side exposed. The yellow attracts fungus gnats, aphids, thrips, leaf miners and other harmful pests that feed on your plants. The sticky surface traps the insects and lets them die without the use of pesticides. Replace the trap as soon as it becomes covered with insects or every three months.
Boost houseplant resilience by providing the right amount of light. Move the plants to a sunnier window or add artificial light if needed. Then rotate the plants a quarter turn each time you water them. This promotes more balanced growth by exposing all parts of the plant to the light source.
Taking time to care for your plants improves their health and beauty while also elevating your mood and helping to fight stress.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books including the recent Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses instant video and DVD series How to Grow Anything and the nationally syndicated TV and radio program Melinda’s Garden Moment. Myers is a columnist and editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was hired by Summit to write this article because of her expertise. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
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