Just like us, our indoor plants love a good shower. That's right! Excess salts + fertilizer residue can build up in your plant's pots over time. This can contribute to wilting, dropping leaves, brown leaf tips, and reduced growth, so showering your houseplants once a season helps to flush out and refresh their soil.
Ideally, you should shower your plants twice a year in spring and fall (after the harsh environments that a dry winter and hot summer can create for indoor plants). If you have the time and inclination, putting your plants in the shower every season is even better.
Lots of plant parents water their green friends in the shower. Should you try it too? There are at least 3 great reasons to consider it. First, it's a great way to prevent pests. Second, it improves leaf elasticity and cleans plants' leaves from dust. And last but not least – it prevents plants from drying out. Ho.
Dust plants lightly with a disposable electrostatic or reusable microfiber cloth. Next, wipe both sides of leaves with a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water. To remove heavy dirt, mix roughly ¼ teaspoon dish detergent in 1 quart of lukewarm water. Spray the plant, then rinse off.
Yes, washing your plants is actually very important. It doesn't take long for dirt and dust to accumulate on leaves, and the grime will begin to block sunlight. Plants need sunlight to make their food, so you'll eventually have a stressed plant that cannot feed itself properly.
If your home does not have a water softener, your bathwater and rinse water from dishes and laundry are all of good quality for irrigation. Soapy wash water from dishes and laundry might better be saved to flush the toilet, but can be used for irrigation if you're careful about certain possible problems.
'Any plants similar to pothos or Anthurium with origins in the tropics will thrive in steamy, humid conditions, meaning you can take as many long hot showers as you'd like without the fear of hurting your plant baby,' explains Rebecca.
The pothos is a great indoor plant for the bathroom. They're small enough that they won't get in your way as you step out of the shower. But, they stand out enough to make a statement.
Let the water soak in deeply.
That's not good for plants: If water is only to be found at the surface of the soil, roots won't grow any deeper.
Long hot showers increase the humidity level in the house. At times it gets so high that you can see condensation on the mirrors and other surfaces in the bathroom.
After testing 65 humidifiers, there's just one we recommend to sit aside your plants: the Levoit OasisMist 450S. Not only is it incredibly effective at adding moisture to the air, it offers multiple plant-friendly features that set it apart from other humidifiers we've tested.
Rain helps wash off dust and any other dirt or debris that may be on your leaves. If you have house plants with delicate leaves, be careful they aren't outside in a rare downpour. Rainwater dissolves the salts and other minerals in your the tap water, which remain in the soil of your plants.
However, not all plants will thrive here, so it's important to seek out options that are best suited to conditions typical of many bathrooms. Many of the best plants for the bathroom are tropical, as the humidity from the shower and the often low or indirect light mimic the plant's native climate.
✨Of course! Just be careful not to overwater her! Only shower once or twice a month.
In general, houseplants' potting soil should be kept moist, but not wet. They normally need watering once or twice a week in the spring and summer, but less in the autumn and winter. However, depending on the type of houseplant, this is not always the case.
Can You Keep Plants in the Shower? Absolutely! You can hang plants in your shower in a way that avoids water and utilizes natural light. Some plants are more conducive to indoor spaces, so research the right plant before you purchase one.
The Satin Pothos likes a humid environment, so regularly mist your plant to keep it hydrated. You could also pop it in a bathroom to take the hard work out of keeping it hydrated. Although it likes a tropical environment, it prefers slightly dry soil so make sure you allow it to dry out a bit in between waterings.
Giving your houseplant a bath
Mix a little dish soap with water and wash leaves and stems of the plant. Make sure to wash the underside of the leaves as well as the top. Insecticidal soaps formulated for houseplants also work well. Rubbing alcohol can be used to get rid of some insects also.
Peace Lily is one of the best shower flowers. The bathroom is the perfect place for Peace Lilies because the warm, moist air from the shower helps to keep the soil hydrated, which is essential for the health of these plants.
Excess chlorine can be harmful to plants, while certain plants are especially sensitive to fluoride. Plants with long, narrow foliage such as Spider Plant, Peace Lily, Dracaena, and Prayer Plant can be negatively affected by tap water high in fluoride. Plants also prefer their water at a pH level between 5.0 and 7.0.
“Don't be afraid to place plants in the shower,” Mast said. “They will love the steam and moisture boost, and the gentle rain will clean their leaves of dust and debris.” Plants may do well in humidity, but remember they need light.
There should be no problem with small-scale, short-term use of grey water to tide plants over in summer drought. An exception is on edible crops, due to the risk of contamination from pathogens in the water.
Deer tend to avoid areas with fragrant soap. Likewise, you can keep mice away by placing pieces of soap in areas of the garden you want them to steer clear of. Sprinkling soap shavings in garden spaces is also said to help keep a number of insect pests from feeding on your plants.