Preventing Mold In The Soil Of A Houseplant

Mold allergies are a common affliction that affects many people. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to treat mold allergies beyond the age-old advice of simply avoiding sources of mold. If a mold allergy sufferer keeps houseplants, it is important for them to keep the soil of their houseplants free from mold.

Controlling Mold in Houseplants

Mold in the soil of houseplants is common, but mold control on indoor plants can be done if you follow a few simple steps:

• Start with sterile soil - When you bring a new plant into your home, repot it using sterile soil. Your plant may have come home from the store with mold in the soil. Gently remove all the soil from the plants root ball and repot in new, sterile soil. Most of the time the potting soil you buy at the store has been sterilized already, but you can sterilize your soil in your oven if you want to be doubly sure.
• Water only when dry - Houseplant mold normally happens when a plant is kept continually moist. This condition happens when you either overwater or water on a schedule instead of by touch. Always check that the top of the soil is dry before you water your plants.
• Add more light - More light is an excellent way to do mold control on indoor plants. Make sure your houseplant gets plenty of sunlight and that the sunlight falls on the soil.
• Add a fan - Mold in the soil will stop happening if you make sure that there is good air circulation around the plant. A simple oscillating fan set on low will help with this.
• Keep your houseplant neat - Dead leaves and other dead organic material add to the problem of houseplant mold. Trim dead leaves and stems regularly.

With just a little bit of extra effort, you can keep houseplant mold to a minimum. Mold control on indoor plants will let you enjoy your houseplant without having to suffer for it.