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Bless our houseplants, for it is thanks to them that we have a low-maintenance alternative to outdoor gardening (not all of us are lucky enough to have spacious outdoor gardens, you know!). But whether your plants and flowers are inside or outdoors, you may still find yourself fighting a battle with those plant pests that can range from gnats and fruit flies to spider mites!
Knowing how to keep plants healthy is, of course, crucial. And luckily we have stumbled across a few tips and tricks committed to minimising houseplant pests once and for all.
So, with fresher and more beautiful gardens (and potted plants) in mind, let’s see how to prevent plant pests.
Step 1: Check your plants regularly
If you want to know how to prevent garden pests, you need to examine the development of your plants. Commit to regularly checking their leaves and branches, as well as the soil of your indoor- and outdoor plants.Step 2: Isolate your sick plants
Should you come across some outdoor- or indoor plant pests that are wreaking havoc on your potted pretties, be very careful. As you don’t want those pests to spread from plant to plant, it’s best you remove and isolate all diseased plants as soon as possible.Read More: How to grow Brussels sprouts
Step 3: Remember to fertilize
When scoping out mineral fertilizers, you usually see the term NPK. This signifies Nitrogen (required by plants for growth), Phosphorus (which strengthens plant roots and ensures beautiful flowers, leaves and fruits) and Potassium (without which the plant’s water supply is disturbed).Thus, ensure you stick to your fertilizer schedule, especially since houseplant pests tend to attack the weaker plants.
Step 4: Water appropriately
Aside from watering regularly, it’s also important that you water your plants thoroughly in cold weather. This keeps the soil warm and can help your plant better withstand the cold.- Always water your plants before frost approaches to ensure that you lock more heat inside the soil.
- Be careful of overwatering – if the plant’s soil is still moist, skip the watering.
- If the plant’s still withering and its soil is moist, it may be too cold. It then becomes important to protect your plant from the coldness in order to keep it healthy and alive.
Step 5: Water only the soil
Who knew that knowing how to prevent houseplant pests could be directly related to watering your plants? But apparently, if you water your plant’s leaves and the water accumulates on them, that could lead to a fungus.Thus, better aim for the soil whenever you water.
Step 6: Save beneficial animals
Not all bugs are bad, you know. Although you need to know how to prevent garden pests, knowing which animals are actually good for your plants and soil is also crucial.Some of the most well-known creatures that can help boost the quality of your plants and soil include ladybugs, spiders, praying mantises, beetles, earthworms and bees. So, leave these in peace whenever you see them near your plants.
Tip for dealing with caterpillars
When it comes to houseplant pests (indoor and out), caterpillars can do some serious damage. Luckily they’re usually easy to spot, so if you see any near your plants, be sure to either move your plants to a new area far from the caterpillars, or to pick the caterpillars off and drown them in soapy water. Any other pests on your plants can simply be sprayed off with fresh water.
Read More: Three easy ways to ripen your tomatoes
Tip: Know when to let go of an infected houseplant
Step 7: Eliminate all weeds
As weeds weaken your plants and can attract garden pests, it’s best to stay committed to always eliminating any and all weeds you see growing in-between (or near) your plants.Read More: Three easy ways to ripen your tomatoes
Step 8: Grow them in pots
With potted plants, it’s just easier to keep an eye on your plants’ wellbeing. In case you see any plant pests, it’s simply a matter of relocating your potted plants. But keep in mind that potted plants require more water than those planted in the ground.Tip: Know when to let go of an infected houseplant
Knowing how to keep plants healthy includes knowing when to give up. Because when a houseplant becomes so badly infested with insects and pests, sometimes it’s just too far gone to try and nurse the plant back to health. In such cases, you need to just throw the entire plant out before those plant pests spread to other plants in or near your home.
Step 9: Apply natural pesticides
Natural pesticides are vital to eliminate houseplant pests. And if you’re struggling with smaller insects, some essential oils can come to your rescue.- Choose an essential oil mix that contains peppermint or mint essential oil.
- Spray it on your plants’ leaves 2 – 3 times a day (without adding chemicals to your garden).
- To make your own peppermint essential oil spray, mix about 3.8 l of water with 1 drop of dishwashing soap and 2.5 ml of peppermint essential oil.
Step 10: Know how to pair your plants
- Another successful way of preventing both outdoor- and indoor plant pests is to plan the mix of plants before planting. Pests can thrive in monocultures and exotic plants can be very vulnerable to local plant pests. Rather vary what you plant year-to-year and row-to-row.
- Always pick healthy seedlings appropriate to your area – and remember that native plants are usually more resistant to local plant pests.
- Include ornamentals amongst your edibles – pests are less likely to spread if there’s not an edible plant nearby.
- To banish nematodes (root-eating worms), plant a thick cover of marigolds the one season, then turn them under the soil. You can plant whatever you want the following year without any fear of nematodes returning.
