Indoor plants have many benefits. Both flowering and non-flowering indoor plants can improve the look of your space, as well as increase your sense of wellbeing and mood. There are some drawbacks to having plants in your home. Indoor plants have disadvantages such as pests, maintenance, and sometimes, toxic effects.
Indoor plants have their disadvantages
Although indoor plants are beautiful, they have a few drawbacks. They need to be maintained throughout the growing season. This includes proper watering and feeding. Different plants have different needs and require different maintenance. It is therefore important to select plants that are suitable for your home’s light and humidity levels.
Lack of light and moisture can cause plants to wilt or lose their leaves. If you don’t find someone to care for your plants while you are gone, your indoor plants may look a little weak after you return from vacation.
Indoor plants, like any other item in your home, can gather dust so you will need to clean them regularly. You may find that indoor plants outgrow their containers. This means that you might need to repot them occasionally. You may need to prune indoor plants from time to time.
Indoor Plant Pests
Pests can infest indoor plants if they aren’t properly maintained. Many pests can infest indoor plants including scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. Although they are not visible with the naked eye, spider mites are closely related to other insects and can be difficult to spot. However, they create visible webs. Scale insects, mealybugs, and apides are small insects that secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts black mold.
All of these pests feed on plant sap and can cause yellowing, leaf drop, and even stunted growth. These pests can be avoided by making sure that your indoor plants have adequate moisture, light, fertilizer, and drainage. You should avoid using garden soil for indoor plants. Instead, only buy healthy nursery plants. You may have to remove a houseplant if it becomes infested.
Indoor plants and pets
You should be careful about what plants you allow into your home if you have pets such as dogs and cats. Many indoor plants can be toxic to pets. Lilies (Lilium .,),) are a common Easter-time blooming plant that contains compounds that can cause kidney damage for cats.
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.) is a succulent species. Animals can experience adverse cardiac effects. Consuming the sago palm (Cycas regia) can lead to liver failure. If your cat or dog has eaten toxic plants, contact a poison control center immediately.
African violets (Streptocarpus species) are safe for pets to have around the house. The spider plant (Chlorophytum composum) are two examples. This is a great choice for hanging baskets that can keep pets away from plants.
