DIY HOUSE PLANT REMEDIES
WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIZARRE HOME-MADE FOLK REMEDIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE SWORN BY OVER THE YEARS TO KEEP HOUSE PLANTS HEALTHY - DO THEY REALLY WORK AND IF SO, WHY?!
The more houseplants you own, the more tips and advice you get given on how to care for them and keep them looking their best. Some of them are pretty crazy - milk, bananas, coffee grounds? Do they really work or are you more likely to kill your plants rather than cure them? We reveal the truth behind the folk wisdom....
BANANA SKIN PLANT FOOD
One age-old D.I.Y remedy for house plants, involves banana skins. Cutting up the peels and putting them around the plant base is supposed to help feed them vital nutrients - making them stronger and greener.
Why it works: Banana skins do contain potassium and other nutrients, which when broken down, can be used by your plants for food.
Cons: Bits of dead fruit skin lying around your plant pot isn’t just going to feed your plants - but also a whole host of unwanted bugs including bees, cockroaches and fruit flies. Also (let's be honest) dead banana skins draped over your plant pots don't look good on 'the gram'.
Best way to do it: you're better off pureeing the peels and mixing with water to use as a liquid fertiliser.
EGGSHELL MULCH FOR HOUSE PLANTS
Like banana peels, eggshells are another bit of food waste that your nan might have used on her plants. People recommend putting them around their plants to feed them or crushed up to put on top of the soil and act as a mulch.
Why it works: Eggshells are full of calcium which plants need to develop a strong cellular structure.
Cons: Anyone who’s tried composting eggshells know they take years! That’s a long time to have to look at bits of eggshell lying around your house. Also unless you clean them really well, they might start to whiff a bit.
Best way to do it: Put the clean shells in boiling water and steep for 24 hours - then use the water to feed your plants.
CITRUS PEEL PET DETERRENT
If your pets are a bit too interested in your house plants, some people suggest putting bits of orange or lemon peel in a circle around the base of your plant to keep them away.
Why it Works: Many cats and dogs don’t like the scent of fresh citrus fruit - so using pieces of orange or lemon peel should deter them for a while.
Cons: Again - dead bits of fruit attract lots of unwanted visitors to your home. Plus the smell wears off after a while so you have to keep replacing the peel!
Best way to do it: Try using a diluted lemon or orange oil spray on the leaves (make sure its diluted 5 drops to 500ml of water as it is toxic to pets in its pure form). If they’re eating the leaves you might want to try putting a small cotton wool ball with a few drops on it in the pot instead.
MILK LEAF POLISH
Lots of plant parents swear by polishing leaves with milk - yes you heard it, milk. Spraying milk onto the leaves and gently cleaning them with a cloth apparently keeps them shinier and healthier.
Why it works: Milk proteins help to break down dusty residue on the plant leaves which not only makes them shinier but helps them to absorb more sunlight. Milk also contains nutrients that can help make the plant stronger and could work as a fungicide to prevent disease.
Cons: Undiluted milk is a bad idea - it is sticky and when it goes off it smells baaaad.
Best way to do it: Dilute the milk in a mixture of 40% milk, 60% water. Spray onto a rag and then wipe with the rag (to avoid spraying milk all over your house) and then rub it dry with a clean rag.
COFFEE FIX
Another old favourite is putting your used coffee grounds or a cup of coffee in your plant pots to help feed them - this is said to perk them right up and prevent leaf-browning.
Why it works: Coffee grounds are a source of nitrogen and organic materials which house plants require to thrive. They also help make soil more acidic for acid-loving plants.
Cons: Not all plants are acid-loving so you might end up accidentally killing your houseplant if you’re not careful! Too much caffeine can stunt plant growth - and sweeteners, syrups, creams and milk products in coffee can cause mould or fungus infestations. Just because you like a daily grande salted caramel macchiato with whipped cream, doesn’t mean your plant will.
Best way to do it: Use plain black coffee or coffee grounds very sparingly and only on plants that like acidic soil (Peace Lilies, Christmas Cactus, Cyclamen, Jade, Miniature Roses and African Violets are some of the plants that like acidic soil).
The great thing about all these methods is they're free and they're eco-friendly, using up waste that might simply go in the bin otherwise. So why not give them a try but be careful to follow our tips or you might end up a with dead plants and a house full of fruit flies!
