Indoor plants bring a pleasant atmosphere to the interior, and many of them also have air-purifying properties. However, they will not be in good condition if you ignore the problem of mold in the flowerpot. Despite the fact that they meet all the requirements for ornamental plants, prosaic mistakes often lead to the appearance of a white, gray or brown film on the top layer of the soil. We present the causes of mold in flowerpots – with this knowledge, you can easily eliminate the danger.

Never underestimate. Molds in flower pots are harmful

Mold blooms in pots are hard to miss. If you underestimate their presence, over time they will dominate the entire surface of the soil. Not only does it not look aesthetically pleasing, but above all that it has a negative effect on plants because it restricts air flow and the roots’ access to oxygen. The long-term presence of fungi weakens the flowers, slows their growth and eventually leads to their death.

In addition mold spores in the air can also be harmful to people, especially to people with allergies and respiratory diseases. They sometimes lead to an increase in allergy symptoms, including skin symptoms, difficult-to-control runny nose and cough, and attacks of shortness of breath.

Be careful this time of year

The season of the biggest problems with potted plants is just coming. Fungi in flowerpots most often attack flowers in autumn and winter. This is due to specific conditions in the apartment. However, this cannot be justified only by the heating season. Errors in the care of indoor plants are often the cause of the appearance of harmful fungi.

Why does mold appear in a flowerpot?

Mold occurs in a humid environment with limited air circulation. Have you noticed a white, gray, brownish or possibly greenish coating in the flowerpot? In addition to emergency measures, you need to look at the conditions in which you grow ornamental plants. First of all, the location. Plants located near radiators and other heat sources are most susceptible to mold. Lack of lightwhich we face during the autumn and winter period, it also promotes the growth of harmful fungi. Don’t forget the humidity factor – placing planters near humidifiers also increases the risk of mold.

For the same reason, you need to pay close attention to watering and sprinkling flowers in pots. Too frequent watering leads to the fact that the soil remains constantly wet. Combined with higher temperatures in the house, this creates ideal conditions for mold growth.

Another cause is the lack of drainage holes in the pot, as well as too compact soil. Such conditions prevent proper drainage. If this is added to poor air circulationwhich is a consequence of placing plants in tightly closed spaces – sooner or later the soil in the pots will be full of mold. At first they may be small, but they can occupy the entire surface and infect the roots.

Home remedies against mold in a flowerpot

The sooner you react, the better. In the early stages, you can successfully use natural remedies for pot mold to manage the problem with minimal effort and expense. First of all, remove the infected layer of soil and replace it with fresh, dry soil. Then use one of the following patents.

  • Cinnamon for mold in a pot – the aromatic spice has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Sprinkle a thin layer over the surface of the soil to protect your plants from further spread of mold.
  • Activated carbon – a product from the home medicine cabinet that will also help solve gardening problems. Adding it to the soil will clean the soil of bacteria and pathogens, improve the quality of the soil and help eliminate unpleasant odors that can accompany mold.
  • Garlic – in dried form, sprinkle it on the surface of the soil. You can also use fresh pods by cutting them into smaller pieces and pressing them into the soil.

Mold in a flowerpot? Just pour into the flower pot