Again, this is no reason to panic – it is relatively easy to get rid of mold growing on soil. Sometimes it is too late for prevention and we have to deal with potting soil that is already moldy. Either throw it in the garden waste bin or add it to your compost pile. The problem is that once this debris starts to decay, you are risking the growth of mold.Ī simple tip is to check for debris each time you water the plant. Remove DebrisĪ few leaves falling off your plant is no reason to panic, for some plants it is even natural. The solution is simple, move the plant to a brighter spot. If you notice mold on your potting soil this is often an indication that the plant does not receive enough sunlight. Dark rooms or even dark corners are generally not the ideal spot for a houseplant. Place in Enough Sunlightįungus thrives in low light conditions. It means that you will have to give it a few hours or even a day in a space with better ventilation, every once in a while. This doesn’t mean that the plant can never be in the more humid room. So, if you keep a plant in a more humid room, like the bathroom for example, it is worth it to move the plant to a more airy space. Well ventilated rooms are less likely to be humid. Generally, plants are able to absorb enough water after just 30 minutes in a filled drip tray. If you are watering your plant by filling up the drip tray, you still need to remove the excess water. Make sure you throw away the excess water regularly to avoid creating more humid conditions. Most potted plants are placed on top of a drip tray to catch excess water. Make sure that these holes are not blocked by anything other than soil. Provide Enough DrainageĮxcess water should flush through the soil which is why pots with drainage holes are so important for potten plants. To make things simpler, do not water your plants when the top layer still feels moist – wait until it has become drier. In this case, the rule of thumb is only watering when 1/5 of the soil is dry which generally amounts to the top 1 – 2 inches of potted plant soil. The more accurate option is to check how moist the potted soil is. Although there are good rules of thumb, checking the actual soil moisture is more reliable.įor example, watering plants every week could lead to overwatering if the plant has a slower absorption rate. Water Plants According to Soil MoistureĪs creatures of habit, many of us have a routine for when we water our plants. Here are five simple ways you can prevent mold from growing on potted plant soil. The key elements here are water and sunlight. Preventing mold from growing on potted plant soil is simple: prevent overly moist soil and provide sufficient sunlight. How to Prevent Mold from Growing on Potted Plant Soil Fortunately, getting rid of mold on plants is not too difficult. On the other hand, overly moist soil can lead to root rot so you do have to take action in time to save your plant. This is because it only feeds on the decaying matter found in the soil. The good news is that the mold is not necessarily harmful to the plant itself. Most fungi thrive in humid and low light conditions. Saprophytic fungus is a sign that the soil is too moist and the plant is not receiving enough sunlight. However, if you notice a lot of the fuzzy white mold on your plant it is an indication that your plant is not healthy. In the case of saprophytic fungus, mold is not necessarily bad for the plant.
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