Houseplants can provide an attractive, lively addition to your decor and can even purify the air in your home. For the most part, caring for houseplants requires little time and effort; however, there are some problems that can develop and become a serious hassle. One of these problems is mold. Mold growing on your houseplants' soil, or the rarer problem of mold growing directly on your plants' leaves, is an issue that can be harmful for both your plants and yourself. Taking the steps below will help you get rid of mold on houseplants and learn how to keep it from reappearing.
Method 1 of 3: Remove Mold from Houseplant Leaves
1Moisten a paper towel in warm water. Mold on a living plant's leaves can usually be wiped away satisfactorily with a damp paper towel. Wring the paper towel out after dampening it to prevent drips.Ad
2Wipe the moldy leaves down with the damp paper towel. Supporting the underside of each leaf with your free hand, wipe the tops with the wet towel. This should remove all of the visible mold. Do not attempt this with a dry towel, as this will stir the mold spores into the air and worsen the problem.
3Replace the paper towel as necessary. As the paper towel accumulates mold and dust from the plant's leaves, discard it and use a fresh one. When all the leaves are wiped down, you can allow the plant to air dry, preferably in a well-ventilated area.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Mold from Houseplant Soil
1Scoop away the top layer of moldy soil. If your potting soil shows mold growth, it is most likely confined to the top half-inch (1 cm) or so. Use a spoon to scoop this moldy top layer into a sealable plastic bag for disposal.
2Replace the soil with fresh potting soil. After removing all of the visible mold, top the pot off with fresh potting mix. If the mold growth was particularly severe, it is best to instead replace all of the plant's soil.
3Add a natural anti-fungal to the houseplant soil. Even when you remove visible mold, plenty of mold spores inevitably remain. To help prevent the immediate reappearance of mold from these spores, you can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon onto the top layer of soil. Cinnamon acts as a natural deterrent to mold growth, and is harmless to the plant.
Method 3 of 3: Take Steps to Prevent Further Mold Growth
1Place a layer of drainage stone in each plant pot. The primary culprit for mold growth on houseplants is soil that remains wet for too long. Each pot should have a thin layer of gravel at the bottom to allow the potting mix to drain thoroughly. This keeps your houseplant healthier and minimizes its susceptibility to mold.
2Keep each houseplant in a well-ventilated area. Mold also thrives in areas with poor airflow, so increasing ventilation is a key step in reducing mold growth on houseplants. This can be done by opening windows, running a fan, or running a forced-air heating or cooling system.
3Clean your plants' leaves regularly. Dust builds up on houseplant leaves just as it does on any other surface in your home. This dust can harbor organic matter like pet hair or skin cells that mold feeds on, and it reduces the plant's ability to photosynthesize, which impairs its health. Wiping leaves down regularly with a moistened cloth will prevent this dust buildup and help deter mold.
4Remove dead leaves promptly. When leaves on each houseplant die and fall into the potting soil, remove them as soon as possible for composting or disposal. Mold can readily feed on these dead leaves, from where it can spread to the soil or the living plant.Ad
- In severe cases of mold growth, it is best to discard the entire houseplant, soil and all. Leaving a moldy houseplant near your other plants can allow the mold to spread.
- Fungicide sprays are an effective option for removing mold, and can be purchased at most nurseries. Note that these sprays are rarely organic, and can pose a health risk if ingested by curious pets.
- Wearing a dust mask when dealing with moldy plants will help reduce the risk of infection.
Things You'll Need
- Paper towels
- Plastic bag
- Potting mix
- Dust mask
Categories: Indoor and Patio Plants
Recent edits by: Maluniu, Krystle, SewSassy1
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