Sticky traps attract insects to the yellow surface and trap them on the sticky surface to prevent damage to your plants. Photo by Summit Responsible Solutions.
Beat the post-holiday depression with indoor gardening. Keeping your houseplants healthy and looking great this winter is sure to lift your spirits with a little grooming.
Cut off dead leaves when they appear. Use sharp pruners or bypass pruners to make clean cuts that look nice and close quickly. Occasional browning of leaves is usually fine, but if the browning persists, it may be time to take action. Evaluate the growth conditions and make any necessary adjustments.
Brown leaves are often caused by low humidity, which is common in many homes during the winter months. Increase humidity in your home by grouping plants together. When one plant loses water from its leaves through transpiration, neighboring plants benefit. Add pebbles or marbles to a saucer or tray under the plant. Allow excess water to collect on the pebbles under the pot. As the water evaporates, the humidity around the plant increases. Transfer plants that require moist soil and high humidity to the terrarium. They are attractive living decorations and make caring for well-kept plants easier.
Too much or too little water can also cause leaves, leaf margins and tips to turn brown. Water thoroughly as needed. The fundamental frequency of the plants you are growing, room temperature and humidity. Tropical plants need moist soil all the time, while cacti and succulents prefer a drier soil. Due to the lack of light in many homes, plants grow slower and may be watered less frequently in winter. Discard excess water that collects in the saucer, which causes root rot.
Avoid fertilizing in winter unless indoor plants are actively growing. Fertilizing plants that they don’t need can damage roots and discolor leaves.
Cut off the brown tips common to spiders, dracaenas, Ti plants, and prayer plants that are sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in water. Avoid problems by using chemical-free water.
Wipe the dust off the leaves with a damp cloth. Use a cosmetic brush to clean the fuzzy leaves of plants like African violets. Keeping your plants clean and caring can also reduce insect and disease problems.
Use Summit Sticky Traps (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com) to further protect your plants from pests. Simply place one or two in the pot so that the sticky side is exposed. The yellow color attracts fungal gnats, aphids, thrips, leaf miners, and other harmful pests that feed on the plant. The textured surface traps insects and kills them without the use of pesticides. Replace the trap when it becomes covered with bugs or every three months.
By providing just the right amount of light, it increases the resilience of indoor plants. Move the plant to a sunny window or add artificial lighting if needed. Then turn the plant a quarter turn each time you water it. This promotes more balanced growth by exposing all parts of the plant to the light source.
Taking the time to care for your plants can improve their health and beauty, boost your mood, and help fight stress.
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