Becoming a “plant parent” is a crash course in plant care. Like any other living thing in your home — whether it’s a puppy or a sourdough starter — houseplants need a little nurturing. Unlike with a puppy or sourdough, however, it takes a while for their problems to become obvious. That’s how issues with…
Why Quarantining New Plants Is a Must
When you bring new houseplants into your home, you’re placing a great deal of trust in the supplier. Whether it comes from a store, a nursery, a friend, or a family member, always use discretion. Some sources are inherently better than others: A successful, reputable nursery, for example, is usually better than a supermarket, department store, or hardware store.
Still, no matter how trustworthy the source, don’t just plop a new plant down in the middle of the ones you’re already growing. The last thing you want is to infest your entire collection with aphids, spider mites, or some ghastly fungal or bacterial infection. A “time out” in quarantine should always be your starting point.
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Managing the Quarantine
Picking a spot to isolate your new plant is the first step. This can be a challenge if every well-lit area in your house already has a plant or two. Ideally, the quarantine area should be in a room with no other plants. If that’s not possible, then place it as far away from your other plants as you can, specifically in a spot where air circulation won’t run from the new plant to your existing ones. If you must use a dark corner, plan on giving your new plant supplemental light from a grow light.
Next, give your new plant a thorough inspection. Look closely for curled leaves, spots, bumps, browning edges, wilting, or other signs of distress. Don’t forget to check the soil for larvae or insects as well. If you find any of these issues, consult the nursery or an online resource to determine the problem and treat it appropriately, whether with a pesticide, fungicide, or maybe just a good, deep watering. Then, continue to monitor the plant for about a week to see how it responds (and always wash your hands after handling it). When you’re confident that the problems are either nonexistent or resolved — and only then — you can move it to its permanent location.
