If you notice powdery mildew on your houseplants, you need to act quickly. But what exactly is leaf disease? And is it even possible to keep the plants he althy? This article provides tips and advice.
How to control mildew on houseplants?
To treat mildew on houseplants, remove the coating manually, use self-made sprays (milk, baking soda, garlic or field horsetail) or use beneficial insects such as the two-spotted ladybird. Also pay attention to suitable location conditions and care conditions.
What is mildew?
Mildew is a leaf disease caused by a fungus. A distinction is made between real and downy mildew. Although both species are similar in terms of the course of the disease and the consequences for the plant, they still have different symptoms.
Symptoms of powdery mildew
- brown, washable covering
- the tops of the leaves are affected
Symptoms of downy mildew
- Leaf top and bottom affected
- White coating on the leaves
- Yellow spots on the leaves
Causes of mildew
Mildew occurs both outdoors and indoors. Most of the time it primarily affects weakened plants. An incorrect location or incorrect watering behavior are the most common care errors that promote an infestation. Houseplants are often too dry or grow when the humidity is too high. Before you resort to treatment, you should first check the location conditions.
Treat mildew
Fortunately, mildew can be combated in its early stages with homemade home remedies. Under no circumstances should you use chemical agents, even though they usually have an immediate effect. Experience has shown that home remedies require several applications, but this will not harm your plants.
Manual Removal
If you wipe the leaves with your finger, the coating can be removed. Lightly showering the plant can help with a small infestation.
Homemade sprays
Mix milk or baking soda with water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the affected houseplant with the liquid several times a week.
Tip
Milk and baking soda unfortunately only work on powdery mildew. To combat downy mildew, brew garlic or field horsetail in water and apply the remedy in the same way.
Beneficial insects
The use of beneficial insects is also possible in the home, as long as the living conditions are tailored to the species. The two-spotted ladybug feeds on the fungus. You can get its larvae from specialist retailers.
Tip
Depending on the severity of the infestation, you should cut back or even make a radical cut. Dispose of the affected plant parts in a well-sealed garbage bag, but never in the compost.