Humic acid, also known as humus, is a brown substance that forms out in nature when leaves fall on the ground and decompose. Rich in nutrients and organic matter, humus creates an environment that supports and encourages beneficial soil bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. It helps plants hold moisture, while increasing drainage and helps plant absorb nutrients more efficiently. This video shows you how to add humic acid to your houseplants so that they thrive.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHousePlants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today, I’m going to talk about humus and humic acid. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you can see at the bottom there.
So, what is humus? Humus is what occurs when leaves fall out in nature. As you can see here, I collected some leaves and dug around in some outdoor bushes to show you this. You’ll see that underneath, the leaves started to decompose. What you see at this stage is not yet humus but will eventually become humus. Humus is the soft, black-brown substance that forms in the later stages of decomposition of leaves and vegetable matter.
The great thing about humic acid and humus is that it’s rich in nutrients and organic matter. It creates an environment for your houseplants that encourages beneficial soil bacteria and microscopic fungi, like mycorrhizal fungi, which I have another video on. By adding humic acid to your plants, you are acting as mother or father nature, giving plants exactly what they need just like they would get in nature.
All houseplants originally come from nature. For example, the Croton is native to tropical locales, and you will see it growing outdoors in places like Hawaii and other jungle environments. In jungles and forest floors, you will naturally find humus.
To benefit your houseplants, you should add some humic acid to them. You can do this when you mulch your houseplants, as I discussed in a previous video. However, if you want to give them an extra boost of humic acid quickly, you can use granulated humic acid.
Here is some granulated humic acid. There are a few brands available, and this is a nice brand that I like. You can even compost this box when you’re done. The humic acid looks like ground coffee, and it’s a prepared product. If you find humus under your shrubs, it will be more of a soft and less granulated product, but it will still be a dark brown and look like wet coffee grounds or tea leaves after they’ve been steeped.
I have a Croton here that could use a boost of humic acid. What I suggest is getting the humic acid down to the root zone. Use a wooden dowel to make a little hole in the plant’s soil. Sprinkle a little bit of humic acid into the hole, cover it with the wooden dowel, and move to another area of the pot. In this small pot, I would do this about three times. You don’t need to cover every inch of the pot, but you should space it out a bit.
This plant has also been mulched, so it’s getting some humic acid that way too. You really can’t overdo humic acid unless you add it straight into the plant, which I wouldn’t suggest. The good news is that humic acid is not like chemical fertilizers, which can harm the plant if overused.
After adding the humic acid, water the plant well. This will help the humic acid settle in and create an environment more like what mother nature would create outside, making your plant happier and healthier.
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FAQ on Humus and Humic Acid
What is humus?
Humus is a soft, black-brown substance that forms in the later stages of decomposition of leaves and vegetable matter. It occurs naturally when leaves fall in nature and decompose over time.
How does humic acid benefit houseplants?
Humic acid is rich in nutrients and organic matter. It creates an environment that encourages beneficial soil bacteria and microscopic fungi, like mycorrhizal fungi. Adding humic acid to houseplants mimics natural conditions, promoting plant health and growth.
How can I use humic acid for my houseplants?
You can add humic acid to your houseplants when you mulch them. Alternatively, you can use granulated humic acid for a quick boost. Sprinkle the granulated humic acid into the root zone of the plant and water it well. This helps the humic acid settle and create a more natural environment for the plant.
What does granulated humic acid look like?
Granulated humic acid looks similar to ground coffee. It’s a prepared product that you can use directly. If you find natural humus under shrubs, it will be a softer, less granulated form but still looks like dark brown, wet coffee grounds or tea leaves.
How often should I apply humic acid to my plants?
You don’t need to apply humic acid every time you water your plants. Adding it a few times, spaced out, is sufficient. Avoid overapplication as it is not like chemical fertilizers that can harm the plant if used excessively.
Can humic acid be used with other plant care practices?
Yes, you can use humic acid along with other plant care practices like mulching. It enhances the effects of these practices by improving soil health and plant vitality.
What should I do after applying humic acid to my plants?
After applying humic acid, water the plant well. This helps the humic acid settle into the soil and start working, creating a more favorable environment for the plant.
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