How to Change Houseplant Soil pH (Part 5)

This video checks in with a houseplant that had imbalanced soil pH and was not doing well. The prior videos showed how to determine if houseplant soil pH is off and how to correct it. This video shows how good the plant is doing now. It has grown a lot and is nice and healthy. Find out how improper pH can negatively affect your houseplants.

#healthyhouseplants #DracaenaFragrans #CornPlant #IndoorGardening #PlantCare #SoilpH #HouseplantTips #GardeningCommunity #PlantParenthood #OrganicGardening

Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.

Today, we’re doing a check-in. It’s been quite a while for this plant; I didn’t realize that it had been that long. This is a Dracaena fragrans, also commonly known as the corn plant. You can see it doing really well here.

This plant is part of a pH revival series, so this is part five. The last time I checked in was July of 2020, so now we’re in 2022. I decided that it was a good time to check back in with this beautiful plant, which is doing really well. As mentioned, it was in a revival series in terms of soil pH. I had to rescue this plant from very alkaline soil and acidify the soil so the plant could survive. It was not doing well when I first started, as you can see in the first video, but now, as you can see, it’s doing nicely and growing big here.

It’s not quite ready for a repot, but probably in the next five or six months, it will be. We’ll check in at that point and maybe even repot it so you can see how it’s doing at that time.

As I mentioned in this series, proper soil pH is really critical to your houseplants’ growth. If the soil pH is not correct, your plants, even though you fertilize them, cannot take up that fertilizer. That’s where all kinds of problems start. They may develop nutrient deficiencies, which can lead to pests and diseases. Plants may not grow well, and if they do bear fruit and flowers, they might be oddly shaped or produce nothing at all.

So, if you’ve tried everything else, as I always say, checked everything else, and your plant is still having a hard time, and you’ve determined it’s not pests and diseases, not the lighting, not the watering, not the humidity, etc., then it very well may be the pH. In that case, you want to test your soil pH and first find out what kind of pH that particular houseplant needs.

Today, I’m checking in with this beautiful plant to see that it did indeed survive and is actually thriving at this time. It will continue to do so.

Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and please check the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Dracaena fragrans?

The Dracaena fragrans, commonly known as the corn plant, is a popular houseplant known for its hardiness and attractive foliage.

How often should I check on my Dracaena plant?

It’s good practice to check on your Dracaena plant every few months to monitor its health and make any necessary adjustments, especially concerning soil pH.

Why is soil pH important for houseplants?

Proper soil pH is critical for nutrient uptake. If the pH is incorrect, plants cannot absorb nutrients effectively, leading to deficiencies and poor growth.

What should I do if my plant has nutrient deficiencies?

If your plant shows signs of nutrient deficiencies, check the soil pH. Adjusting the pH may help the plant absorb nutrients more effectively.

How can I test the pH of my soil?

You can test your soil pH using a pH meter, soil test kit, or by sending a sample to a laboratory for analysis.

What steps can I take to adjust the pH of my soil?

To adjust soil pH, you can add materials such as lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it. It’s important to follow recommended guidelines for your specific plant’s needs.

What should I do if my plant is not growing well?

If your plant is not thriving, check for common issues such as pests, diseases, improper lighting, and watering conditions, in addition to soil pH.

How long does it take for a Dracaena to thrive after being rescued?

After adjusting the soil pH and providing proper care, a Dracaena can take several months to show significant improvement, depending on the extent of the initial damage.

What is the best time to repot my Dracaena?

The best time to repot a Dracaena is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Typically, repotting is needed every 1-2 years.

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