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Moldy Houseplant Soil – What to do

Mold growth on houseplant soil is common but you cannot ignore it. Find out how to fix it…
houseplant soil
soggy soil
Mold grows on houseplant soil when it is soggy.
Mold grows on houseplant soil when it is soggy.
houseplant mold
2 easy to identify symptoms:
a. White layer on the surface of soil 
b. Moldy smell when you go near the affected houseplant.
2 easy to identify symptoms:
a. White layer on the surface of soil 
b. Moldy smell when you go near the affected houseplant.
houseplant soil
Houseplant soil turns soggy either due to overwatering or improper drainage after watering.
Houseplant soil turns soggy either due to overwatering or improper drainage after watering.
trowel
If mold growth is mild, remove the topmost layer of potted soil using a scraper.
Clean up the leaves and stems with damp tissue paper.
If mold growth is mild, remove the topmost layer of potted soil using a scraper.
Clean up the leaves and stems with damp tissue paper.
houseplant soil
For a heavy mold infestation, just cleaning up is not enough. You have to make two major changes.
For a heavy mold infestation, just cleaning up is not enough. You have to make two major changes.
potted plant soil
Change affected soil.
Dense potted soil retains more water that promotes mold growth.
Replace it with fresh, high quality, lightweight, all-purpose potting mix.
Change affected soil.
Dense potted soil retains more water that promotes mold growth.
Replace it with fresh, high quality, lightweight, all-purpose potting mix.
soggy soil
Change the pot.
Discard old pot and bring a clean pot with multiple small holes at the bottom for better drainage.
Change the pot.
Discard old pot and bring a clean pot with multiple small holes at the bottom for better drainage.
saucer for potted plant
Place this newly potted houseplant on a saucer which can hold drained water.
Place this newly potted houseplant on a saucer which can hold drained water.
houseplant soil
After mold removal, make 2 more changes to prevent future mold infestation on houseplant soil.
After mold removal, make 2 more changes to prevent future mold infestation on houseplant soil.
indoor plants
Change position of houseplant.
Expose it to daily dose of sun either early morning or late afternoon. Warm sunlight kills mold.
Change position of houseplant.
Expose it to daily dose of sun either early morning or late afternoon. Warm sunlight kills mold.
Change watering schedule.
Study carefully water requirements of your plant species first. 
Change watering schedule.
Study carefully water requirements of your plant species first. 
Test soil moisture before watering.
Dig a finger into soil: 2 inches deep in big pot / half an inch in small pot. If your finger feels dry, add water.
Test soil moisture before watering.
Dig a finger into soil: 2 inches deep in big pot / half an inch in small pot. If your finger feels dry, add water.
Once a week watering is enough for most indoor plants.
Once a week watering is enough for most indoor plants.
After watering, don’t keep the pot soaked in standing water on saucer for more than 5 minutes.
After watering, don’t keep the pot soaked in standing water on saucer for more than 5 minutes.
FINAL TIP FOR PERSONAL SAFETY.
While handling mold infested houseplant soil, wear gloves and face mask.
Mold can cause bad allergic reactions in humans.
FINAL TIP FOR PERSONAL SAFETY.
While handling mold infested houseplant soil, wear gloves and face mask.
Mold can cause bad allergic reactions in humans.

 

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