The care of houseplants

The care of houseplants varies greatly depending on the species. What one plant needs can be detrimental to another. However, if you follow a few rules, you will be able to enjoy your indoor companions for a long time.

One problem that all indoor gardeners are familiar with is mold on the soil. It seems to appear overnight and suddenly appears despite good care. This mold is harmful to the plants, and secondly, it is also harmful to the people who breathe in the air. The cause of the mold is usually excessive moisture. The white layer must be removed immediately. Repotting is necessary, preferably with a new pot, as spores can also attach here.
When repotting, it’s best to pay attention to good drainage so that the mold problem doesn’t return right away. Gravel or expanded clay are suitable for this.

Often, the fungus gnat is also found at the same time, as it thrives in overly damp soil. You can tell if the plant has been infested by the gnats when a swarm of them rises during watering. The larvae also nibble on the roots, so they are not only annoying but also harmful. Usually, a so-called sticky trap helps. This is inserted into the soil on stems and gets rid of the pests.
However, if the problem is more severe, repotting is necessary. This also applies to any other damage you notice on your houseplants. Only a complete replacement of the soil ensures that any residues cannot persist and contaminate the new soil.

As indoor gardeners, it's important to consider that the warm air from the heating system in winter, which is comfortable for humans, often causes trouble for the plants. To counteract this, water from a spray bottle is helpful, and it should ideally be low in lime. When watering in winter, caution is advised. Plants usually need significantly less water in winter.
The windowsill is a popular location for plants. No wonder, as it decorates both the inside and outside. However, if the leaves or flowers touch the cold windowpane in winter, they can freeze. So always make sure to keep a distance. Most plants also don't like drafts. Additionally, they don't like standing on cold floors. While they want to take a rest during the winter months, it shouldn't be real cold. Particularly, the cooling of the root ball is something many houseplants don't tolerate well.