Houseplant parenting can be a struggle. There’s so much information out there - how do you know what to believe? Through our daily interactions with plant parents, we’ve seen a few myths resurface again and again, so we decided to set the record straight and make sure you have the information you need to keep your plants healthy and happy.
Houseplant Myth #1: Repotting is “the fix” for a struggling plant
If there is one myth that is the most common, this is it. Repotting your plant might very well fix the problem if it’s rootbound, but more often the plant is struggling for other reasons: not enough or too much light, over or under-watering, unidentified pests, or a lack of fertilizer. In these circumstances, repotting actually increases the problem and stresses the plant. So, before you take that step, email us a photo or visit us in person, with either the actual plant or some good photos. We can help you save your plant and also save you time and unnecessary expense.
Fun Fact: Sometimes the stress of being rootbound can encourage a plant to flower or produce offshoots. This is the case for the Christmas cactus and the spider plant.
Houseplant Myth #2: It is okay to transplant into a cachepot with no drainage
Speaking of repotting… For a long-lasting, healthy plant, adequate drainage is always the best policy. Our decorative cachepots typically do not have a drainage hole. This is to protect your floor, carpet, or tabletop from any seeping water and escaping bits of soil. But since all root balls need good airflow and will develop root rot, if their “feet” are constantly moist, the best practice is to keep the plant in its plastic nursery pot. To water, just remove the potted plant from the cachepot, take it to a sink or patio to water, and let it fully drain before replacing it.
Fun Fact: a cachepot is a decorative container usually used to conceal a flowerpot. The French verb “cacher” means to hide and the word cachepot translates as “it hides the pot”.
Houseplant Myth #3: THE BEST WAY TO WATER ORCHIDS IS WITH ICE CUBES
Ice cubes sure sound like an easy, efficient way to water an orchid slowly and continually (and a study from a prominent university did support the practice, so this may have lent credence to the myth). However, the study had a short timeline and a narrow focus and did not account for many factors that exist once the orchid leaves the growers’ laboratory conditions and takes up residence in a home or office. If you consider the conditions of an orchid’s native tropic and sub-tropic habitat, where the roots get a deep watering followed by a drying period, you’ll understand why our preferred method is to submerge and soak the pot for 15-20 minutes. This method allows time for the chunky bark to completely hydrate and prevents the leaching of nutrients. Then allow the orchid to dry fully before repeating the process.
Fun Fact: The Orchid family contains some 26,000 species that can be found nearly worldwide.
Houseplant Myth #4: WATER IS THE SOLUTION TO A DROOPY PLANT
Everyone’s first reaction to a droopy plant is that it needs water. And 9 times out of 10, that IS the reason. But if you water it and the leaves do not perk up within a reasonable amount of time, it is most likely suffering from root rot. This happens when the plant is consistently over-watered or has been sitting in a pot that has standing water in the bottom. It is possible your plant can recover but only time will tell. Immediately let the root ball dry out and then water less often. If you want to be adventurous, remove the plant from the pot and only keep the parts of the plant that have healthy roots attached. Repot that part with fresh soil into a smaller pot that is an appropriate size for the now-smaller roots.
Fun Fact: Roots affects by root rot will be dark and mushy and may fall apart when touched. Healthy roots are generally pale in color and will feel firm and pliable.
Houseplant Myth #5: TILLANDSIA (AIR PLANTS) DON’T NEED WATERING
As with everything in the plant world, water is necessary for survival. But since air plants are so unique, they have specific watering needs and much depends upon the light and moisture conditions you provide them. You can mist them or soak them, but the type of water is important; it should never be distilled but you can use filtered water or tap water that has sat out overnight to release the chlorine, which can shorten their lifespans. Also, never water at night, when the plant is taking up carbon dioxide. And make sure your plant does not sit on anything that retains moisture, like moss, fabric, or sand. That will rot the bottom for sure. We try to always maintain a bountiful selection of air plants and also have a detailed care sheet about caring for them.
Fun Fact: Tillandsias are a part of the Pineapple family (Bromeliaceae)!
Thanks for reading and please come on in with any questions you may have!