How to fight and prevent white mould on house plants
Characteristic white mould attacks house plants due to improper care. Unfortunately, it is dangerous for our plants, so we must act quickly. Here are some tips on how to get rid of the white coating in the pot.
20 May 2024 16:17
A white coating appearing on the soil in the pot is not harmless to flowers. We often encounter this phenomenon if we do not care for potted flowers properly. Mould can quickly transfer to the plant and damage it, so immediate action is necessary.
It is worth noting that some types of mould are also dangerous for humans, especially allergy sufferers. Their spores spread in the air, attacking the respiratory system and causing violent reactions in the body.
Is it really mould? How to recognise it?
It turns out that we do not always deal with mould, which is dangerous for plants. The white coating can also appear on the soil in the pot if tough water flows from the tap. In this case, lime deposits sediments from the water used for watering (it remains after evaporating). Such a coating is not harmful, even if it does not look very aesthetic—scoop it out with a spoon and then take care of the better water quality.
Hard tap water requires filtering before use. You can also boil it first and let it cool. However, if the coating is not complicated but soft and fluffy, it is proof that mould has appeared in the pot. Thanks to the right tips and home methods, we can easily save house plants from it.
How to get rid of the white coating in the pot? Saving infected flowers
If the flower soil is covered with a layer of mould, it is best to replant the plant immediately and dispose of the soil (in compost or mixed waste). This ensures that we get rid of all the spores. Be sure to do this outdoors, in the fresh air (e.g., on a terrace or balcony), to avoid releasing them indoors. Before reusing, it is worth washing and properly disinfecting the pot. Use alcohol or vinegar for this, and ceramic pots can be placed in an oven preheated to 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes.
Better to prevent than to cure. Home remedies for mould
We must care for potted plants and correct any mistakes to prevent mould from reappearing. Very often, these pertain to incorrect watering. Before watering a plant, check if the top layer of soil is dehydrated. If it is still moist, the plant does not need another dose of water. The pots we use should have appropriate drainage holes and a saucer.
Not all species need a lot of water. Such plants are best watered through the saucer. The substrate then slowly absorbs the water and prevents overwatering. A drainage layer of expanded clay is also accommodating. Just sprinkle a thin layer before filling the pot with soil and planting the plant.
