Plant care is filled with all sorts of tips and tricks that circulate online, from DIY solutions to quirky hacks that promise to make plant parenting easier. But not all of these hacks are created equal—some might seem to work but can lead to more harm than good 🥴
Watering with Ice Cubes
The Hack: Place ice cubes on the soil of your houseplants instead of watering them the traditional way. The idea is that the slowly melting ice provides a steady, gradual release of water.
Why It Might Seem to Work: Ice cubes can indeed deliver water to the soil, and the slow melt rate might prevent overwatering by releasing moisture gradually.
Why It’s a No from Us: Ice cubes can create uneven watering. As they melt, they might not penetrate the soil evenly, potentially leaving some parts of the root zone dry while others become overly saturated. Additionally, ice-cold water can shock plant roots, especially in warm or tropical plants.
The Alternative: Use a watering can with a slow pour spout or opt to bottom water to provide even and consistent watering. A moisture meter can help you gauge when your plants need water, ensuring you give them just the right amount.
Food-ie Fertilizers
The Hack: Using household scraps like eggshells, banana peels, and coffee grounds as fertilizers to boost plant growth and health.
Why They Might Seem to Work: These items do contain nutrients. Eggshells provide calcium, banana peels offer potassium, and coffee grounds can add nitrogen.
Why It’s a No from Us: The nutrient release from these items is often too slow or minimal to make a significant impact on plant health. Additionally, improper use can lead to issues such as mold growth or attracting pests. The nutrients they provide may not be balanced or in the right forms for plant uptake.
The Alternative: Use a balanced, commercially prepared plant fertilizer (Arber Plant Food all the way!) that provides all essential nutrients in the right proportions. These fertilizers are specifically formulated to meet the needs of different types of plants and are generally more effective and reliable.
Cinnamon as an Antifungal Agent
The Hack: Sprinkling cinnamon on the soil surface or dipping cuttings in cinnamon powder to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
Why It Might Seem to Work: Cinnamon has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can help suppress some pathogens on the surface of the soil or on plant wounds.
Why It’s a No from Us: While cinnamon can provide some surface-level protection, it may not be effective against deeper infections or widespread issues. It also does not address underlying causes like poor drainage or excessive moisture, which often contribute to plant problems.
The Alternative: For serious fungal or bacterial issues, use a targeted fungicide or bactericide. Ensure good plant care practices, such as proper watering, adequate air circulation, and well-draining soil, to prevent infections from occurring in the first place.
Dish Soap Mixed with Soil for Compaction
The Hack: Mixing dish soap into compacted soil to help improve aeration and water absorption.
Why It Might Seem to Work: Dish soap can act as a surfactant, helping water to spread more evenly through the soil, potentially improving water infiltration in compacted areas.
Why It’s a No from Us: Soap can also alter soil pH, potentially harming plant roots or affecting nutrient availability. It’s a temporary solution and does not address the root cause of soil compaction 🙅♀️
The Alternative: To improve soil structure and prevent compaction, use a well-aerated potting mix and ensure proper pot drainage. For compacted soil, consider repotting with fresh, well-draining soil - our signature blend, Dirt Bag has all you need.
While plant “hacks” can be tempting to try, they often come with unintended consequences. Instead of chasing after every trendy tip, focus on the fundamentals of proper watering, nutrition, and environmental conditions. Your plants will thrive, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re providing them with the best care possible. 🌿🔬
