As much as we love sweater weather, it’s important to keep in mind this time of year that most of our house plants don’t share that same love. Since most common house plants are tropical, they prefer to reside in climates where the temperature ranges from 55 to 75 degrees fahrenheit. That being said, moving plants indoors for the season can come with some unwanted cleaning challenges. Here’s a few tips to keep a clean home all winter long!
One of the biggest cleaning challenges with indoor houseplants is the small bugs and pests that may accompany them into our homes. Some of these unwelcome guests can include spider mites, scale, or aphids. They are very common and can easily spread to nearby plants if the infestation isn’t treated properly. Before switching them to their winter homes, give the entire plant a thorough rinse with lukewarm water, making sure to wash under the leaves as well. This can be done outside with a hose, or even just in your shower! Follow by spraying the soil and leaves with a gentle mixture of soapy water, which drowns any unwanted pests.
You will notice after a short time that many of your indoor plants, especially ones with bigger leaves, accumulate dust. This can be harmful to the plant’s health, preventing photosynthesis and causing brown spots on the leaves. By ensuring that your houseplants are dust-free, you will have beautiful green healthy leaves as well as cleaner air, since their ability to filter air is greatly compromised while covered in dust. With an old soft rag, use lukewarm water to gently wipe the dust from both the top and the underside of the leaves. For added shine, you can follow up with a small amount of mineral oil.
Because of the lower light and lower temperatures during the winter months, your plants’ growth will slow significantly. This means that your plants will need much less water than they needed during the warmer months. When bringing plants indoors, make sure the pot has a saucer or mat underneath that is able to catch the extra water running through the drainage hole- this will be a big save for your floors!
Until next time, happy cleaning!