Monty Don provides advice on watering houseplants
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In a video for BritBox, the gardening expert shared how to tell if a houseplant is suffering from being overwatered and how to fix it. Monty explained: “The problem is in my hand because if I take it [plant] out of this rather attractive grey pot, it’s in a standard plastic pot. It’s a lysis of feather but I look at the pot it is in, there are no drainage holes of any kind.
“What’s been happening I suspect is it’s been watered and the water has said inside what is effectively a jar and it’s got too wet.”
Overwatering houseplants is one of the most common ways they suffer, and it can lead to root rot.
The expert said the “classic symptoms” of an overwatered plant include drooping and brown leaves.
Monty added: “A lot of houseplants, particularly foliage ones, like dark, cool and damp conditions.
“Most houses are too hot and too dry, so this is an essential piece of kit, a mister.
“If you mist the leaves of houseplants, that will make them happier than anything else.”
Misting houseplants is a very simple but effective way of increasing their humidity levels.
It is recommended to use tepid, filtered water to spray the plants because some indoor plants are particularly sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water.
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Monty said that misting houseplants should be done regularly, and in the morning so they have the rest of the day to dry out.
This is especially important during the winter months when heating may dry plants out further.
When in active growth, indoor plants may need to be repotted.
Sharing advice in the same video, the Gardeners’ World expert showed viewers exactly how to repot a plant.
He said: “I’ve got a spider plant here and it’s really healthy. Spider plants don’t need much water, they need watering every few weeks and no more, but this needs replanting.
“What this needs is really good drainage.”
“I’ve got some compost and some perlite but vermiculite or grit will do the job just as well.”
After mixing it up, Monty added it to the spider plant pot.
He added: “You’re looking at keeping it pretty dry but misting it daily.”
In the spring and summer months, when plants are no longer in dormancy, Monty recommended keeping on top of feeding them.
The expert said this encourages “lush growth and lots of greenery”.
Houseplants such as the Swiss cheese plant, prayer plant and a peace lily can all benefit from regular feeding in the warmer months.
Succulents and cacti don’t need food to survive, even in the summer.
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