When the heating season begins, radiators in apartments work at full speed. Unfortunately, this is not the best time for potted plants. They are exposed to low humidity, which means they wilt quickly and can be susceptible to pests such as mites. What can be done so that the radiator does not bother potted plants in the home? Let’s find out.

Why is the radiator dangerous for potted plants?

The radiator is an important source of heat. Its presence can be very important for plants during autumn and winter, as it ensures a constant temperature in the room.

  • This is exactly what is needed for the potted specimens to survive this difficult period without major damage.

It turns out that at the same time in the house sharply air humidity decreases.

  • On the one hand, this can cause the tips of the leaves to dry out, but also increased demands for water, which can lead to accidental flooding of the roots.
  • Too dry air in the room makes potted plants susceptible to mites.

These tiny worms are rarely visible to the naked eye, but they suck cell sap, which weakens potted specimens and leads to their death.

Did you turn on the radiator? You have to remember this

How to ensure that the radiator does not work against your specimens? Just increase the humidity in several ways.

  • Air humidifiers – smart devices can improve the quality of plant growth. Some electronic models have the ability to set the level of humidity in the room.
  • Containers for radiators – ceramic containers are filled with water and hung on the radiator. Steamed water will increase the humidity in the house.
  • Water tanks – small pebbles should be placed on the reservoirs and water should be poured into them. However, its level must not be higher than the top of the filling.
  • Kropenia – if possible, plants can be sprinkled more often. You just have to constantly monitor the condition of the leaves to prevent them from rotting.

A warm room? These plants will die

As the days get shorter, some of our houseplants go dormant. Then they also don’t need heat because – in some cases – they can stop growing and die. Therefore, nothing prevents you from turning off the radiator or moving them to cooler rooms.

  • Such plants include, for example, ferns, ivy, dracaena, ficus and cacti.

However, be careful not to overdo it with the cold, as they cannot grow in a place where the temperature drops below 13 degrees Celsius. Avoid drafts as well, as cold gusts of air will quickly cause your decorative specimens to begin to die.

Are your houseplants having browning leaves? Maybe you are making this mistake