Mould in Houseplant Soil – Prevention & Removal Tips

Although mould is a common occurrence on various surfaces in the home, such as drywall and grout, it can also grow in houseplant soil. As mould needs moisture and feeds on organic food (cellulose, bacteria, etc.), houseplant soil can provide the right conditions for mould growth. In time, mould in houseplant soil can affect the health of homeowners and damage the plant. Here are several tips to prevent and remove mould in houseplant soil and on plants:

Mould Prevention

• Using healthy and sterile soil for all newly acquired plants or when changing the soil. One good alternative is commercial potting soil, which contains plenty of nutrients for your houseplants.
• Watering plants properly. Mould thrives in moist conditions, so too much water will help mould spores to develop. As a rule of thumb, plants should be watered once the top 2 inches or ¼ of the total soil volume is dry.
• Removing debris (such as dead leaves) from the soil and wiping off dust or dirt from the leaves regularly. Leaving organic debris on the soil can provide a better environment for mould to grow. Dead parts of the plant need to be trimmed, as well.
• Providing plenty of light and ventilation to plants. Sunlight or artificial light are essential not only for the plant’s growth, but also for repelling mould. A source of ventilation, such as a fan on low setting, allows airborne particles to freely circulate around the plant.

Mould Removal

• After locating the mould, which is usually white and fuzzy, a spoon can be used to scrape off the mouldy part of the soil. To avoid inhaling mould spores, wearing a dust mask is recommended. If there is a large amount of mould, it is best to repot the plant.
• Once the mould is removed, an anti-fungal solution should be added to the soil in normal quantities. Alternatively, sprinkling cinnamon or baking soda helps prevent most of the mould from reappearing.
• If there is mould on the plant, it should be wiped off gently from the leaves using a dampened paper towel. The paper towel should be replaced when all parts have touched the mouldy surfaces to avoid spreading mould spores. Any leaves that still have mould visible on them should be cut off.

As mould in homes can be a serious health hazard, here are a number of ways to remove household mould and how to prevent mould in homes. The PuroClean team stands ready to provide professional restoration services to any property affected by fire, water or mould damage.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn to get our notifications!