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Clean House Plants = Healthy Environments
by Tina Timms
Description: Tips for cleaning and caring for your houseplants.
Houseplants are a vital part of today’s interior design.
Houseplants are attributed with improving mood and attitude,
producing healthy environments, and reducing stress. However,
if indoor plants are not cared for they can cause a health
hazard.
Cleaning
Houseplants collect dust and grease, hand oils, and pollutants
that dull their appearance, making them less attractive and
inhibit the plant’s growth. Clean leaves promote healthy
growth.
Cleaning controls insects and enhances the plants’ aesthetic
appeal. However, cleaning will also clean the contaminants on
the leaves that promote the growth of viruses, bacteria, and
germs. Most people do not think about a plant’s ability to
promote the growth of pathogens and contaminants.
This can be increased if the plants are misted, and are kept in
a warm humid environment.
Products that clean and shine leaves are generally not
recommended because the waxy coating residue may interfere with
air exchange. They also coat the leaves with a residue that will
break down and promote the growth of contaminants.
Closed environments like offices need to pay careful attention
to the plants they use in the office. Never use these products
on plants that have hairy leaves, such as African violets.
These plants cannot be cleaned.
The best way to clean leaves is to dampen a soft cloth with
water and wipe the lower and upper surfaces of each leaf. An
alternative is to place the entire plant outdoors or in the
shower to rinse it off.
Soil
The soil should never be overlooked. Eventually all soil become
inundated with microorganisms that can cause illness. This does
not mean that indoor plants are unhealthy. It means that indoor
plants need to have their soil changed every six months, more
if the plant is over watered, or is kept in a warm humid
environment.
Always change the soil outside. Plastic pots should be washed
thoroughly with a strong anti-mold, anti-bacterial cleaner.
Terra cotta pots and other porous pots should either be soaked
well in a cleaning solution and left in storage for a few
months, or thrown out.
Mold can cause serious breathing problems in enclosed areas.
Mold can grow under leaves, under pots, around areas where
leaves touch the walls, furniture, or carpets. Areas where
water spills can also encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
Never use mold and mildew cleaners on plant pots. Harsh
cleaners, bleach, and salt baths will leave residue on plant
pots that may kill the plant.
After cleaning the pot, refill it with new sterilized soil.
Never reuse soil. Try to remove as much soil from the roots as
possible without exposing them. If removing the soil does
expose the roots, it is important to wrap the exposed roots
with damp paper towel and keep them in a dark place.
Trim off broken or rotting roots. Trim away any white areas
and discard. White mold needs to be removed.
Avoid bargain soils. Only use sterilized potting soil.
Healthy plants are a necessity in any home or office
environment. However, a healthy environment includes healthy,
clean plants.
Tina Timms advises you on bonsai and plant
care at her site. Drop by and download her Free Guide at
http://www.bonsaihere.com
Reader comment: Years ago soil was not to be found in stores. My mother and
grandmother had the most beautiful and healthy plants of many varieties.
They got their soil from their outdoor vegetable and/or flower gardens.
To "sterilize" the soil they would set it outside in a large flat pan
and pour lots of boiling water over. When the water had cooled and
evaporated - it was ready for the planting...Mairmie
