If you've ever had a houseplant that wilted quickly, you might think you don't have a green thumb. However, the truth is that anyone can be a good plant owner, and it really isn't complicated. Houseplant leaves are delicate and often show you what your plant needs. In this article we will give you 5 tips related to the foliage care of your houseplants so that your green beauties can thrive.
1. Pruning house plants is important
Foliar care for houseplants includes pruning. Prune your plant regularly to keep it healthy and prevent you from having to transplant it. You can prune at any time of year, but fall is the ideal time to get out the pruning shears after a summer of growth. The main reason for pruning houseplants is to make them look better and not grow too large. Similar to propagation, cutting back overgrown houseplants helps rejuvenate them. This technique is very effective for encouraging new growth on climbing plants like Swedish ivy and pothos that have become bare at their base.
Try to make the cut just above a row of buds or side shoots on a stem you want to cut back. This is where new growth will begin. Cut above the leaf node at a 45° angle to encourage fuller and more robust growthto promote plant. When pinching, the shoot tips are removed either with fingernails or scissors. Cut off the top of a stem and the top leaves to encourage lateral bud growth.
Plants that grow quickly often look best when pruned frequently to make them more compact and full. It is important to educate yourself on how often you should prune your plant. A plant that is not pruned may grow out of control and the roots may outgrow its pot or vase.
2. You should dust your houseplants
Your houseplants will definitely look better if they are cleaned regularly. Dust collects on the leaves. So wash them with a gentle shower of room temperature water or dust them with a soft brush if the plants have hairy leaves (which can trap moisture and promote disease). On plants with smooth leavesyou can remove the dustAlso carefully wipe away any residue that has accumulated on the leaves with a cloth. Not only will this improve the appearance of your plant, but it will also help it absorb more light.
3. Increase the humidity for the plants
Increase the humidity in the room. Dry air affects certain plants, such as: B. cacti, are good for you, but most plants need moisture, especially tropical plants. You can purchase a cool mist room humidifier and make sure it is close enough to provide humidity to the plant but not to wet the foliage or flowers.
A cheaper alternative to purchasing a humidifier is to fill a bowl with pebbles. Add water to just below the top of the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it will humidify the room.
You can also fill a spray bottle with distilled water and mist the plants to give themto provide additional moisture. Wilted, browned leaves and poorly developing flower buds are signs that your plant is suffering from low humidity. A tip: putting your plants together in groups will increase the humidity.
4. You should remove dying leaves
Trim spent flowers from your plants to encourage more blooms and avoid disease problems. Also use this opportunity to remove any yellow, brown or wilted leaves. Use narrow-bladed hand pruners or sharp scissors to make a clean cut without damaging the plant's trunk. It is advisable to wipe the blades of the scissors with rubbing alcohol before moving on to another plant to avoid spreading pests and diseases.
5. Foliar care for houseplants: pest control
Various insects often attack houseplants. Insecticidal soap is an easy-to-use, effective treatment for most soft-bodied pests such as aphids and spider mites. A powerful jet of water from the hose also helps reduce the populationto combat pests. Rubbing alcohol is effective on waxy-coated insects such as scale insects and mealybugs; dab it with a cotton ball.
No matter what treatment you use, be consistent. For rapidly multiplying pests like aphids and spider mites, you may need to treat the plants once a week for about a month to get rid of the pests.
Fungus gnats typically appear in large numbers when plants are overwatered. Allow the soil surface to dry between waterings and simply remove dead leaves from the soil surface. In extreme cases, you should try repotting your plant in fresh soil and a clean container.
