Is using mulch on houseplants a good idea?

Question

Is using mulch on houseplants a good idea?

Answer 1

yes, because it keeps the moisture in the plant so (1) it doesn't dry out and (2) you may have to water less often.  House plants are in small pots as a rule so they dry out quickly.  Choose a mulch that you like the smell of, or that has very little odor, since it will be more noticeable indoors.  Damp moss works well and is attractive.

Answer 2

You don't need it unless you are away for a long time and the plants don't get watered (or you have a lot of weeds in the house!). On dry-loving plants it would actually be a bad thing because they like to dry out in between waterings. The only reason to use it is for appearance, some of the gravels are quite pretty if you like that sort of thing.

Answer 3

Only if you use a thin layer of dry material. Too thick a layer will prevent the proper amount of ventilation to the roots of the plant and a damp surface around the plant is breeding heaven for fungus gnats - some people refer to them as fruit gnats/flies. For me? I'd use a quarter inch of clean play sand or for decoration - pebbles. You can water through either one and when the sand or pebbles quickly dry there is no fungus up on top for the gnats to play in.

Answer 4

Yes. But you would not be using it for the same purpose as you would use it outdoors, nor would you use it in the same quantity.

Outdoors you would use it to retain water and prevent evaporation. You would also use it for weed control. Anywhere from three to six inches would be appropriate depending on where it is placed.

Indoors it would be strictly decorative and a layer thicker than one-half to three-quarter inches would be overkill.

I use it on all my indoor plants that have the soil exposed to the viewer.

I either use green moss or bark chips.

Answer 5

yes it help the air get cleaner then you breathe in clean air