Are you bothered by the white, stringy, and dusty mold filaments on your plant’s soil? We hear you. It’s easy to see how much it ruins the aesthetic of your indoor plants.
Luckily, molds aren’t as harmful to plants as you think. However, they’re quite an eyesore and can signify poor conditions such as lack of air circulation or sunlight.
This article will discuss the different reasons why your plant’s soil is moldy and how to fix it. Read on to learn more.
Why Is My Plant’s Soil Moldy?
Molds thrive in moist environments and can grow just about anywhere. While these mold spores don’t necessarily damage your plants, the reason why they appear in your plant’s soil can be a cause for alarm.
The common reasons why your plant’s soil is moldy include the following:
- Soil is too moist or overwatered
- Low air circulation
- Soil contamination
Generally, molds are typical of plant soils and are considered healthy and harmless. However, if the spores develop into fungi due to poor plant conditions, they can steal away your plant’s nutrients.
How to Know Your Soil Has Mold?
The first and primary indicator of mold on soil is if you see patches of white and dusty filaments on the surface. It’s usually accompanied by wet and moist soil.
The colors of the mold can also be brown, yellow, or gray. In other cases, the soil can develop a musty odor and grow out tiny mushrooms.
How Do I Remove the Mold?
Rest assured; it doesn’t take too much effort to remove unwanted mold from your plant’s soil. If poor drainage is the cause of excess moisture, a bit of repotting or cultivating is all it takes.
You can easily remove mold by following these steps:
- If you wish to repot the entire plant, you can replace all the soil and ensure the pot you’re using has sufficient drainage.
- You can also scrape off the moldy parts as long as you take away every bit.
- For added preventive measures, sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon dust or use a commercial fungicide.
Once you’ve got the molds out of the way, you can focus on preventing them by providing your plant with the optimal conditions for its growth.
How Can I Prevent Mold From Growing?
Preventing mold growth goes hand in hand with the TLC steps you need to keep your plant’s soil healthy and thriving.
The essential conditions you have to remember are:
- Ensure the pot has decent drainage
- Use a well-draining soil mix
- Avoid overwatering
- Provide sufficient amount of light
If you meet these conditions consistently, you’ll worry less about molds growing in your plant’s soil.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes mold buildup is unavoidable, especially for houseplants, but it’s no cause for panic. After all, getting rid of the mold only takes a few minutes.
The possible challenge is to consistently maintain a healthy environment for your plants to thrive in.
Nevertheless, if you’re an experienced gardener or plant enthusiast, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.