Five common houseplant myths are true, but not

Do houseplants purify the air? Should I water on a schedule? Find out which general care tips you miss the mark and what your plants really need.

If you need more tips, this is my system to simplify houseplant care. Once you’ve organized things, it’s a smooth sailing.

Is the chips on that houseplant actually true?

A collage of struggling houseplants containing root bound ash paragus ferns.

Today we look at some common houseplant myths and why they don’t hold up. Most of these tips seem logical, such as using water trays to increase fog plants and humidity, but in fact they have little or no effect on the plants.

I believed in many of these things myself. Because in most cases they are repeated frequently, even by so-called plant experts.

However, once I began to look into the research, it became clear that many of these tips were unbearable.

1Myth: It’s best to stick to a watering schedule

Reality check: plants are constantly adapted to their growth conditions, and watering with a calendar can be more harmful than good.

Simplifying plant care with a set schedule is fascinating. Give him a drink every Saturday. However, the truth is that watering needs constantly vary depending on the plant type and the growing conditions (light, temperature, humidity) that change throughout the year. So, the things I worked last week may be too much or too little this week.

Instead of sticking to a strict schedule, be aware of what your plants are telling you. When you learn to recognize signs like drooping leaves and dry soil, you will know when it is time to enter the water – no calendar is needed. This type of care makes a noticeable difference and helps the plant stay healthy and resilient.

2Myth: Houseplants purify the air

Reality Check: It’s nice to live together, but houseplants don’t clean the air in any meaningful way.

This is one of the most enduring myths in the world of houseplants, and it’s easy to see why.

The idea that a humble spider plant or its fiddle leaf fig is filtering the air in your living room is fascinating and reassuring. However, while some early labs suggested this possibility, they were carried out in sealed environments rather than in real homes.

The reality is that even if you pack your space with a lush friend, the impact on air quality can be ignored.

If clean air is your main goal, a mechanical air purifier is your best bet.

3Myth: You can humidify plants with trays of mist and water

Reality check: That little dish or water spritz doesn’t make you think.

Dry indoor air is difficult in tropical plants. Therefore, many sources suggest placing a tray of water (“drip trays”) near the plants to increase humidity. It sounds simple, but the effect is minimal and temporary.

Large surface areas of evaporation may be required to make a noticeable difference. Otherwise, the plants will need to be in a small, enclosed space.

What actually helps? Choose humidifiers in the room, grouping plants (sharing moisture), and seeds that don’t bother you with dry air in most homes.

You can still use mist (which can help remove dust) on the leaves, and use a water tray (which is great for catching overflow), but don’t expect relative humidity levels to rise.

Thermometer Hygrometer Unit. — Thermometer High Glometer

Thermometer High Glometer (left) and Moisture Meter (right) | Amazon

4Myth: Poinsettias are poisonous to dogs

Reality check: reality is far less dramatic than warnings.

The phrase “dose makes a poison” fully sums up the toxicity of poinsettias (and many other plants). Dogs will have to eat hundreds of poinsettia leaves. It has really serious consequences.

We are all much more likely to get an allergic reaction from contact with the plant’s sap.

As always, use common sense when mixing pets and plants. If your pet is likely to bite or dig, it may be easier to skip the house grass completely.

I have had several cats over the years, and some people completely ignore the plants, while others can bite and dig. You need to decide which one is safest for each pet.

If you’re enjoying poinsettias during your holidays, use the following tips to grow throughout the year.

5Myth: Talking with plants will make them grow

Reality check: Your voice won’t make them grow, but if it makes you happy, talk to them.

It’s not uncommon to talk to plants. Many of us just greet pets, squirrels, or even inanimate objects. It’s a natural impulse and doesn’t feel strange at all.

There is no real evidence regarding the idea that talking can help plants grow. The fun propaganda stunts by the Royal Horticultural Society claimed that was the case, but it was not a proper study and has not been reproduced.

So, no, talking won’t boost the growth of the plant, but that’s still completely fantastic.

It’s easy to wipe out any hints of goodwill, especially when repeated everywhere. But like most things about gardening, curiosity, observation, and fact-checking can go a long way.

If you can know how plants respond to your environment, you will receive less advice that is perfect for one size.

So, abandon myths, trust research and your experiences, and give your houseplants the care they actually need. And if it seems right to talk sweetly with them, go for it.