4 Houseplant Myths We Should Stop Believing
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Date: 2022-07-18
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Comments and reviews: 15
kabeno
I know that many people say misting doesn't do much, but I mist my 13in tall calathea makoyana daily (both top and undersides of leaves) and only ever water it maybe once every 2-3 weeks (depending on the season lol. They have been thriving with no crisp edges whatsoever for over 6 months now. Plus I've never had a spider mite infestation. I even considered stepping back from misting for a while bc of how much leaves keep popping up from all of the misting haha. I would love to have a humidifier but living in a subtropical climate makes it impossible. On rainy days, we get over 60-80% humidity. Interestingly, the humidity doesn't stop my plants from crisping up so misting is a real time saver for me instead of carrying all of my plants into the bathtub to bottom water them every single week. And before the misting, I watered my calatheas weekly and you could only imagine how much of a pain that was since they don't like tap water. I've had numerous spider mite infestations with my other plants but ever since I started misting, it easily became one of the cheapest methods for pest prevention.
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I know that many people say misting doesn't do much, but I mist my 13in tall calathea makoyana daily (both top and undersides of leaves) and only ever water it maybe once every 2-3 weeks (depending on the season lol. They have been thriving with no crisp edges whatsoever for over 6 months now. Plus I've never had a spider mite infestation. I even considered stepping back from misting for a while bc of how much leaves keep popping up from all of the misting haha. I would love to have a humidifier but living in a subtropical climate makes it impossible. On rainy days, we get over 60-80% humidity. Interestingly, the humidity doesn't stop my plants from crisping up so misting is a real time saver for me instead of carrying all of my plants into the bathtub to bottom water them every single week. And before the misting, I watered my calatheas weekly and you could only imagine how much of a pain that was since they don't like tap water. I've had numerous spider mite infestations with my other plants but ever since I started misting, it easily became one of the cheapest methods for pest prevention.
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Subject
Its a big thing to say they arent air purifiers. They have the tiny green balls that vibrate and make oxygen and stuff? Last i checked co2 is what we exhale. We take in oxygen the plants do it but in a much much slower scale. And mind you the nasa scientist who did the study started studying on plants absorbing and the like. They do filter but if you want to feel the great fresh air open a window. The plants exchange co2 and oxygen when it needs energy and it will make its starches stay in the root system, the bigger the system the better and more water and co2 it will play with. Heck even in planted aquariums there are studies that show plants slowly feeding and doing the co2 exchange. But saying they do nothing but just stimulate the mind is pretty sad when fifth grade science class teaches us what the heck plants can do when the sun is up. Just saying photosynthesis is still a thing, or did we forget that altogether now? Did we cancel culture photosynthesis!
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Its a big thing to say they arent air purifiers. They have the tiny green balls that vibrate and make oxygen and stuff? Last i checked co2 is what we exhale. We take in oxygen the plants do it but in a much much slower scale. And mind you the nasa scientist who did the study started studying on plants absorbing and the like. They do filter but if you want to feel the great fresh air open a window. The plants exchange co2 and oxygen when it needs energy and it will make its starches stay in the root system, the bigger the system the better and more water and co2 it will play with. Heck even in planted aquariums there are studies that show plants slowly feeding and doing the co2 exchange. But saying they do nothing but just stimulate the mind is pretty sad when fifth grade science class teaches us what the heck plants can do when the sun is up. Just saying photosynthesis is still a thing, or did we forget that altogether now? Did we cancel culture photosynthesis!
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Dahlia
lol I only mist my air plants, since they need that to get water that way. Not having dirt and all. So yes misting is important if you have air plants. Otherwise no. I feel that this is a bit of a caveat since people will see this and think all plants are the same. I don't do it to increase humidity I do it to water a plant that needs to be watered like that. People see them and think they don't need anything but air no sis. -_- That will lead to a dead plant. T_T They need plant food and water like every other plant you just have to do things differently. Also for the love of everything. don't put them in a glass inclosure with no airflow, they will rot and die, or cook in the heat, or even not be given what they need and die because of that. These are plants not meant to be steamed like greenbeans. lol
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lol I only mist my air plants, since they need that to get water that way. Not having dirt and all. So yes misting is important if you have air plants. Otherwise no. I feel that this is a bit of a caveat since people will see this and think all plants are the same. I don't do it to increase humidity I do it to water a plant that needs to be watered like that. People see them and think they don't need anything but air no sis. -_- That will lead to a dead plant. T_T They need plant food and water like every other plant you just have to do things differently. Also for the love of everything. don't put them in a glass inclosure with no airflow, they will rot and die, or cook in the heat, or even not be given what they need and die because of that. These are plants not meant to be steamed like greenbeans. lol
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LadyDanielle02
I definitely believed the 'cleaning the air' one. thanks for clearing that up!
My favourite myth isn't really about houseplant care, but it is related to houseplants it's that if you can't keep houseplants alive, you can't garden. A lot of my friends look at my garden and say 'I can't even keep my houseplants alive! ' And I'm always like, 'dude, houseplants are much harder to keep alive than a lot of garden plants! You're taking something meant to live outdoors around the equator and trying to make it live in an apartment in northern Germany! There are several plants in my garden that are either native to Germany or are derived from/related to plants that are native to Germany. of course they grow like crazy. '
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I definitely believed the 'cleaning the air' one. thanks for clearing that up!
My favourite myth isn't really about houseplant care, but it is related to houseplants it's that if you can't keep houseplants alive, you can't garden. A lot of my friends look at my garden and say 'I can't even keep my houseplants alive! ' And I'm always like, 'dude, houseplants are much harder to keep alive than a lot of garden plants! You're taking something meant to live outdoors around the equator and trying to make it live in an apartment in northern Germany! There are several plants in my garden that are either native to Germany or are derived from/related to plants that are native to Germany. of course they grow like crazy. '
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Patrick
Great vid. subbed: ). You mentioned that harmful organic compounds in the air can't be filtered by houseplants because we usually don't have enough plantlife indoors to do this. What do you think about humity? I live in a basement en suite. Everything in my room is very slightly damp (almost un-noticably. but i notice it. If i have a bunch of house plants. and keep the watering to a minimum. will they drink the air? I've read about certain tropical plants. and i'd rather have these than have a de-humidifier. and considering that plants like to drink water and on a capillary-action kind of principle. perhaps this would work better than the harmful compounds idea. What do u think?
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Great vid. subbed: ). You mentioned that harmful organic compounds in the air can't be filtered by houseplants because we usually don't have enough plantlife indoors to do this. What do you think about humity? I live in a basement en suite. Everything in my room is very slightly damp (almost un-noticably. but i notice it. If i have a bunch of house plants. and keep the watering to a minimum. will they drink the air? I've read about certain tropical plants. and i'd rather have these than have a de-humidifier. and considering that plants like to drink water and on a capillary-action kind of principle. perhaps this would work better than the harmful compounds idea. What do u think?
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Anonymous
With myth #2 Im not buying it. I had a Dyson fan that read the air quality. There was always horrible pollution from the freeway and train as well as wildfires and ongoing construction. This was all coming in the window at my apartment so I bought a bunch of plants thinking it would help with my lungs. The fan began to report the air quality as almost perfect in the home after that so I think it just depends on what kinds of plants you have and the size of your space. This was a tiny studio apartment so even just a few small trees was enough to make a significant difference.
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With myth #2 Im not buying it. I had a Dyson fan that read the air quality. There was always horrible pollution from the freeway and train as well as wildfires and ongoing construction. This was all coming in the window at my apartment so I bought a bunch of plants thinking it would help with my lungs. The fan began to report the air quality as almost perfect in the home after that so I think it just depends on what kinds of plants you have and the size of your space. This was a tiny studio apartment so even just a few small trees was enough to make a significant difference.
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Juneyah
I find my rooms are not complete until I add a plant. My Pothos leaves are as large as your hand. Never have I ever. All my plants show off to me. I tell them all how beautiful they are and that I love them as I touch them ever so lightly. My Pitbull is big too. Must be something in the Water. I love your tone. The care you take as you explain plant care. The atmosphere full of love helps. Children enjoy as well. Peace, Love and you are AMAZING! LIVE AND LOVE Y'ALL! It just feels good. Have your favorite desert too.
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I find my rooms are not complete until I add a plant. My Pothos leaves are as large as your hand. Never have I ever. All my plants show off to me. I tell them all how beautiful they are and that I love them as I touch them ever so lightly. My Pitbull is big too. Must be something in the Water. I love your tone. The care you take as you explain plant care. The atmosphere full of love helps. Children enjoy as well. Peace, Love and you are AMAZING! LIVE AND LOVE Y'ALL! It just feels good. Have your favorite desert too.
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Shotgun
I put a baking rack over the top of one of my open top aquariums and park my ferns & orchids up there. I also had to go for a humidifier for the 'tropical' section.
And no they don't 'clean the air' but they do capture carbon & return it to the soil. Trees are the single most efficient carbon capturer on the planet. Plants do it on a smaller scale. But they do help and contribute to carbon capture.
Biochar does wonders for your soil. Permaculture is your friend.
Food Forests for the win!
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I put a baking rack over the top of one of my open top aquariums and park my ferns & orchids up there. I also had to go for a humidifier for the 'tropical' section.
And no they don't 'clean the air' but they do capture carbon & return it to the soil. Trees are the single most efficient carbon capturer on the planet. Plants do it on a smaller scale. But they do help and contribute to carbon capture.
Biochar does wonders for your soil. Permaculture is your friend.
Food Forests for the win!
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phantasmagoria
I have got my grandmothers 20-year-old Dracaena (I named her Cornelia) that was never misted before. Her leaves were all crumpled up at first when I got her. I thought it is because of her age. However, I started to misting her every day. It didnt take long and all her leaves get fully restored, smoothed out and very healthy looking. I guess it depends on many factors wether plant needs to be misted or does not. It is never just simple yes or no.
I live in Central Europe.
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I have got my grandmothers 20-year-old Dracaena (I named her Cornelia) that was never misted before. Her leaves were all crumpled up at first when I got her. I thought it is because of her age. However, I started to misting her every day. It didnt take long and all her leaves get fully restored, smoothed out and very healthy looking. I guess it depends on many factors wether plant needs to be misted or does not. It is never just simple yes or no.
I live in Central Europe.
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Phoebe404
I would be interested in knowing the names of the plants that you showcase in your videos. I know you named some of them, but maybe naming them all in the description would be nice added info.
I've been trying to figure out the name of the plant that you lifted up at 4: 53. I have a variegated variety of that plant and got it as a gift, but no matter where I look on the internet, I can never figure out the name.
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I would be interested in knowing the names of the plants that you showcase in your videos. I know you named some of them, but maybe naming them all in the description would be nice added info.
I've been trying to figure out the name of the plant that you lifted up at 4: 53. I have a variegated variety of that plant and got it as a gift, but no matter where I look on the internet, I can never figure out the name.
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Jennifer
the plants may not improve filtering air, but they do help filer animal odor. I have a hedgehog who can be quite stinky (they poo and pee all the time when awake. I grew some wheat grass to have in her enclosure, and it illimated the animal smell pretty dramatically, until she dug the grass up. I'd trim the grass to have the smell a bit more stimulating for her, so thats one main reason why her smells were reduced.
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the plants may not improve filtering air, but they do help filer animal odor. I have a hedgehog who can be quite stinky (they poo and pee all the time when awake. I grew some wheat grass to have in her enclosure, and it illimated the animal smell pretty dramatically, until she dug the grass up. I'd trim the grass to have the smell a bit more stimulating for her, so thats one main reason why her smells were reduced.
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Laura
This is such a great site, you explain things so clearly with logic and experience. I must admit, sometimes my mind drifts off and I just enjoy the sound of your voice and the cadence of your delivery. Not to be weird, I do actually hear what you are saying and I learn something with each video! My parents were educators and broadcasters so I appreciate someone so well spoken as you. Thanks - I'll keep on listening!
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This is such a great site, you explain things so clearly with logic and experience. I must admit, sometimes my mind drifts off and I just enjoy the sound of your voice and the cadence of your delivery. Not to be weird, I do actually hear what you are saying and I learn something with each video! My parents were educators and broadcasters so I appreciate someone so well spoken as you. Thanks - I'll keep on listening!
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Brittney
Waring and his colleagues reanalyzed all 195 studies that have examined whether houseplants can filter the air. They found that some types of plants can remove higher amounts of VOCs than others. But once you factor in the effects of working in a large room, none of the plants are able to do much. Smaller rooms, however. like a bathroom or a bedroom. plants can be more effective there.
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Waring and his colleagues reanalyzed all 195 studies that have examined whether houseplants can filter the air. They found that some types of plants can remove higher amounts of VOCs than others. But once you factor in the effects of working in a large room, none of the plants are able to do much. Smaller rooms, however. like a bathroom or a bedroom. plants can be more effective there.
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darkinertia2
holy shit i just got into the plant hobby and i thought itd be impossible to find someone thats NOT a woowoo plant owner lol glad to see theres actually people out there that have an analytical head on their shoulders. i do agree itd be nice if plants clean the air but now that i think about it, that idea was pretty insane to think would actually work lol
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holy shit i just got into the plant hobby and i thought itd be impossible to find someone thats NOT a woowoo plant owner lol glad to see theres actually people out there that have an analytical head on their shoulders. i do agree itd be nice if plants clean the air but now that i think about it, that idea was pretty insane to think would actually work lol
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Viktoria
Coffee in the soil, watering with coffee. Icecube watering. Banana peel water. To not keep plants in the bedroom because they will release carbon dioxide, apparently. All the ineffective ways to get rid of fungus gnats. Watering with old birth control pills to promote growth. Leca in the bottom of the pots as drainage. The list can go on.
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Coffee in the soil, watering with coffee. Icecube watering. Banana peel water. To not keep plants in the bedroom because they will release carbon dioxide, apparently. All the ineffective ways to get rid of fungus gnats. Watering with old birth control pills to promote growth. Leca in the bottom of the pots as drainage. The list can go on.
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