Should You Be Dusting Your Houseplants?

Like other living things, houseplants need care and maintenance to remain healthy. One way of taking care of houseplants is by dusting their leaves. Any dust inside a home should be cleaned up regularly. But there may be more problems lurking if you leave dust to stay on your houseplants. Take a closer look at why you need to dust the houseplants in your Grand Rapids home.

Dust Can Make You and Your Plants Sick

Accumulation of dust is more than just a nuisance. Studies have shown that harmful particles in dust can worsen many health problems, from asthma to allergies and beyond. If dust is that bad for you, imagine the effect it’s having on your houseplants. Since plants need light to feed themselves through photosynthesis, allowing dust to coat their leaves affects how much light they take in. Your houseplants may also give off less oxygen than they could, affecting the quality of your indoor air. Regular dusting keeps your houseplants and other greenery thriving.

Dust Can Hide Bigger Problems

Dust on plants, as well as on furniture, baseboards, and windowsills, can become a real eyesore. It can make your house look dirty and unkempt. Dust can also mean bigger problems like mold and disease. By dusting your houseplants on a regular basis, you can check for any concerns. Spotting and treating mildew and plant diseases early can keep your plants healthy.

Dust Invites In Pests

Neglected houseplants attract bugs and pests. Undusted plants may harbor unwanted pests. A regular dusting schedule lets you check your houseplants for signs of infestation, thus keeping pests away. Plants that are well-cared rarely develop serious pest problems.

Dusting houseplants is a simple task. Your first step is to use a dusting wand or microfiber cloth to gently wipe the dust off of each leaf for most plants. Use a small paintbrush to dust plants with small or delicate leaves.

Next, wipe your houseplant’s stems and leaves with a soft cloth dipped in tepid water. You can bring large and sturdy plants to your kitchen sink and spray their leaves clean in it. Just make sure you use water that is neither too hot nor too cold as this could damage your houseplant. After rinsing and wiping down each leaf and the pot, let your plant air dry completely before returning it to its place.

Houseplant maintenance is easy, but it needs to be done periodically if you want your plants to stay green and healthy. Would you like to learn more about this or other home maintenance tips? Real Property Management Investment Solutions can help! Contact us today online or call us at 616-419-4578.