If your houseplant is having problems and you are doing everything else right, it may be a soil pH problem. Proper soil pH for your houseplants can make the difference between healthy, thriving plants and plants that are weak growing and even sickly. A plant without proper soil pH will not be able to take up the nutrients it needs from the soil to grow big and strong. This video shows you how to do a soil pH test and determine what is going on with your houseplant.
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Hello, and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you can find in the comment section below.
In today’s video, we’ll discuss the importance of proper pH for houseplants and demonstrate how to test soil pH. We’ll be testing soil for this Dracaena, also known as a corn plant. Dracaenas prefer their soil on the alkaline side of the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 as neutral. Levels above 7 are alkaline, while levels below 7 are acidic.
If the soil pH for your plant is incorrect, the plant may struggle to absorb nutrients, even if you’re fertilizing, watering, and providing the right light. Visible symptoms of incorrect pH include funky leaves, slow growth, and in flowering or fruiting plants, misshapen blooms and stunted fruit.
When soil pH isn’t ideal, the plant can’t effectively use the nutrients you provide. Testing pH is something I suggest after you’ve tried everything else to ensure a healthy environment, such as proper watering, light, and humidity.
There are pH meters that can be inserted into the soil, but they may need calibration and aren’t always reliable. For a more accurate test, a soil test kit is a better option. To do this, we’ll mix soil samples from various areas around the plant and add water.
For accurate results, use distilled water, which is neutral and won’t interfere with the test. The solution will change color to indicate the soil’s pH level, which we’ll compare with a provided color scale. Dracaena plants thrive in slightly alkaline soil, so based on the results, we may add lime to increase alkalinity.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Soil pH for Houseplants
What is soil pH, and why is it important for houseplants?
Soil pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, which affects nutrient absorption. Plants require a specific pH range to thrive and absorb nutrients properly.
How does incorrect pH affect houseplants?
If the pH is not suitable for a plant, it can struggle to absorb nutrients, leading to issues such as stunted growth, discolored leaves, and misshapen blooms.
What is the ideal pH for Dracaena plants?
Dracaena plants prefer slightly alkaline soil, with a pH above 7. Testing and adjusting the pH can help them thrive.
How can I test my soil’s pH?
You can use a pH meter or a soil test kit. For more accurate results, a test kit is recommended, and distilled water should be used during testing.
How can I adjust soil pH for my houseplants?
To increase alkalinity, add lime to the soil following package directions. Retest the soil after a month to check for desired pH levels.
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