As July temperatures continue to swelter across the UK, experts have recommended one key way to keep your house plants healthy.
Many plants are usually in full bloom by midsummer, including house plants. House plants are a brilliant way to brighten up your home and add a touch of colour to otherwise plain rooms. Plus, it also comes with other benefits, as many plants will help freshen your air and had a feeling of tranquillity to our homes.
But with the recent heatwave, our plants may need some extra TLC. As temperatures rise, some of our habits are changing accordingly, which can have a big impact on our plants.
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With the hot weather, more of us are leaving our windows open and allowing warm, dry air to circulate through our homes. Of course, while this may help to keep you cool, it can cause other issues.
Leaving windows open allows more dust to enter your home. This is only exacerbated by air conditioning units and fans, which can cause dust to circulate and settle on more surfaces – including plant leaves.
While it may not seem like the most threatening issue facing house plants, dust can actually cause serious problems. Mainly because it impairs their ability to photosynthesise.
This is because as dust settles on plant leaves, it blocks sunlight from their surface, meaning that they can no longer produce food for themselves. Eventually, they will become nutrient-deprived and die.
It’s not the only issue caused by dust, either. It can also reduce a plant’s ability to transpire and effectively cool itself by blocking the stomata on the leaves.
Dust can also be incredibly frustrating as it can ruin the appearance of your plants. It can also mask issues like pest infestations and disease, leaving your plant vulnerable.
Luckily, there is an easy solution. Garden Warehouse writes: “Take large-leaved houseplants into the garden and hose them down to clean off accumulated dust.”
They also explain that some plants are more likely to collect dust than others, like snake plants. This is partly due to the waxy texture of their leaves.
Of course, if you don’t feel like hauling your plants out into the garden, there are other ways to combat the dust. A good idea is to regularly mist or wipe your plants with a damp cloth.
This allows you to remove excess dust while still treating your plant gently. Make sure you use a soft brush or cloth so as not to damage the leaves.