Indoor plants are a great alternative to outdoor plants. If you have indoor plants, these 11 plant myths will help you treat them differently.
It is said that gardening is an art that teaches patience and watchfulness, demonstrates industry and thrift, and above all, reveals trustworthiness. This does not mean that our hands must get dirty, that we must endure blistering sun rays and work in the thorns and thorns of the ground, but there’s so much more to it than that. In order to create something that would fill our hearts with joy and enlightenment, it requires constant effort and work with some cool, soothing colours.
We end up abandoning the idea of nurturing something worthwhile when we are faced with strong hold myths passed down from our society. It is common to hear of superstitions or stigmas about gardening – including those relating to some magical plants – which prevent you from growing them yourself in your own garden. Probably most of us have heard of these plants online or from some nurseries, and we are going to discuss them in this blog with 11 top myths sure to take your breath away.
Debunking Indoor Plants Myths
Plant care has come to be regarded as conventional wisdom over the years based on a number of different concepts. A number of these ideas came from nursery growers who developed methods of plant care based on the suitable conditions they can create in their greenhouses and nurseries. While some of these practices are fine for houseplant owners, they may not work well for those who are growing plants in more challenging conditions. It’s no wonder that a lot of people believe they have no green thumbs!
Myth #1: Plants grow bigger in bigger pots
Fact: The fastest-growing plants are those whose roots fill most of the container when they are moderately potbound. Plants that have been replanted frequently invest their energy in growing more roots, decreasing the amount of leaves and flowers. Large potted plants can also suffer from root rot more readily.
Myth #2: Ailing plants will benefit from plant food
Fact: Plant food or fertilizer is not medicine. It is used for healthy plants that require a lot of nutrients and are actively growing against their own gravity. Providing plants with more nutrients than they need is not possible. When excess nutrients accumulate in the soil, the roots burn and the leaves turn discolored. Weakened plants absorb fewer nutrients than healthy ones.
Myth #3: Indoor plants need lots of direct sunlight
Fact: Indoor plants only benefit from direct sun in certain circumstances. Sunburned plants, commonly found indoors, suffer from shade-loving leaves that yellow when exposed to direct sunlight.
Myth #4: Yellow leaves and brown tips mean over watering
A wide variety of factors could cause these symptoms, including lack of water, inadequate light, excessive fertilizer, hard water, and poor soil quality.
Myth #5: Misting plants will increase the humidity
Fact: Adding mist to plants once or twice per day does not add much moisture, so it does not have any practical use for plants that need high humidity levels. Misting will only add moisture for some while before evaporating fast. However, misting helps keep plants clean.
Myth #6: Most indoor plants need high humidity to thrive
The most commonly available indoor plants are available because they have proven to be capable of adapting to extremely dry conditions within a home. While many indoor plants (such as succulents) come from naturally humid environments, they can also survive quite well when humidity levels are low, as long as they receive enough moisture through their roots.
Myth #7: Chemical pesticides are the only effective way to eliminate plant pests
Fact: Numerous safe and effective plants pest treatment methods exist. There are several options, including dishwashing liquid, rubbing alcohol, horticultural oils, sand, sticky traps, diatomaceous earth, and hot pepper.
Myth #8: Most indoor plants go dormant in the winter
Fact: The majority of indoor plants originate from tropical climates with warm temperatures all year long. As a result, tropical plants grow actively all year long. During the winter months, the number of daylight hours decreases in northern climates. Plant growth is affected by these reduced light levels, which has led some observers to conclude incorrectly that plants are dormant.
Myth #9: Some plants are referred to as bad luck plants
Fact: It is highly debatable. Some traditional Vastu or Feng Shui authorities believe that certain plants bring bad luck rather than good circumstances, good health, wealth, or property. According to some experts, plants that attract negative energies are the tamarind plant, cotton plant, babul plant, mehendi plant, and some cactus plants too. Over time, the snake plant has caused confusion and people have named it “bad luck plant” because of its uncanny form and shape that is capable of creating unwanted destructive energy. Nevertheless, the Feng Shui properties of all these plants vary significantly depending on a person’s mindset and the Feng Shui reading they receive.
Myth #10: Succulents only need some tiny drops of water
Fact: They require less frequent watering sessions. A common saying states that succulents require less water than other houseplants, but this is not true. Because of this, people have taken this statement to imply that succulents can survive in very small amounts of water, which simply isn’t true. These plants need to be watered less frequently, which allows them to dry out between waterings. They also prefer well-draining soil. In light of this, you should be sure to water succulents thoroughly until the soil has completely dried out. Winters are the time when they require less watering, while summers require more.
Myth #11: Don’t repot your plants during winters
Fact: Unlike some people who advise you never to repot your plants in the winter, winter is actually the best time to repot your plants. Plants slow down their growth and even go dormant as temperatures are lower and light levels are lower. If you repot during this time of the year when they are dormantly growing, the plant will be less damaged. In this way, you can choose to repot indoor plants year-round; summer or winter, but be sure to water them properly.
Myth #12: Increase drainage by adding stones to the bottom of pots
Fact: water will only saturate the soil above the rock before reaching the stones. Many people have believed this myth for decades, in part because it seems to make so much common sense. The stones or pot chards themselves are very good at draining, so putting them in the bottom of the pot should improve drainage. But it’s myth – it doesn’t work.
Water tables perched on top of each other are responsible for this phenomenon. A small soil particle does not allow for easy flow of water when it comes into contact with larger stones. The moisture will saturate the soil near the ground surface, then move deeper into the drainage material. You can improve drainage by mixing sand and rocks right into the soil. Sand or rocks mixed into soil improve drainage.