02 December 2023 , 08:00
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While your mind will likely be distracted with Christmas right now, spare a thought for your poor houseplants who just aren't as keen on this time of year at all.
Fewer hours of sunshine and colder weather makes it hard for them to thrive. And while it can be tempting to try to offset the less-than-ideal conditions by giving them extra water, you really shouldn't, says an expert. Fiona Jenkins, houseplant expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, said: "Many houseplants can become dormant in winter due to the less than favourable growing conditions. This means they do not need as much watering as they do in spring and summer.
"If you continue to water your plants in winter as often as you would in warmer months this can do them more harm than good. Instead, there are other hacks you can try to help keep them healthy and strong in the winter months such as using mayonnaise to shine the leaves."
For anyone struggling to maintain the vitality of their houseplants during the winter season, Fiona has helpfully revealed six essential items found in the kitchen cupboard that may help sustain them until the arrival of Spring.
Get your houseplants to shine with mayonnaise
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Leaves lacking in lustre? Then revitalise them with a small amount of mayonnaise with a piece of kitchen roll. Gently rub the leaves to restore their natural shine, ensuring not to use an excessive amount to avoid leaving a residue that may clog leaf pores. This simple technique can keep your plants gleaming for weeks.
Strengthen your houseplants with banana peel fertiliser
Give your houseplants an added boost by creating a homemade fertiliser using banana peel. After eating a banana, place the peel in a jar of water and let it sit for 24 hours. Then simply use this nutrient-rich water to nourish your plants, delivering essential elements like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. This not only fortifies your plants but also acts as a great pest deterrent
Nourish your plants with a tea infusion
Boost your plants' growth by using tea leaves, which are bursting with nitrogen. However, you must be careful as tea containing tannic acid is only suitable for houseplants favouring acidic soil, such as spider plants and rubber plants. Brew a pot of tea with two tea bags, allowing it to cool overnight before using it for watering. Avoid using hot water, as it may harm the plants.
Mend a broken stem with cinnamon powder
Harness the natural fungicidal properties of cinnamon to repair broken stems. Make a clean cut on the damaged stem and sprinkle cinnamon powder to prevent infection. Popping cinnamon into the soil of your houseplants can also help protect them from mold and fungus.
Give your houseplants a calcium boost with crushed eggshells
Easily supply your houseplants with additional calcium by putting crushed eggshells into the soil. Crush the eggshells into an almost powdery consistency using a food processor or pestle and mortar. For optimal results, mix the crushed eggshells into the soil when repotting your plant. Alternatively, spread the crushed eggshells around the plant's soil if repotting isn't necessary.
Hydrate your plants with leftover unsalted potato water
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Leftover water from boiling potatoes is great for nourishing your houseplants. This water contains potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are great for plant health. Ensure it has cooled before using it on your plants, and steer clear of salted potato water, which could harm the plants and prevent the roots from absorbing it properly.