Episode Details

Caring for houseplants often means dealing with pests, diseases, or cultural issues at some point. Having a houseplant first aid kit prepared allows you to quickly treat problems and nurse your plants back to health. In this episode, our favorite horticulturist Leslie Halleck shares must-have items to include in your DIY houseplant first aid kit so you can effectively treat plant problems as soon as they pop up!

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:17] What is a Houseplant First Aid Kit?
• [09:46] What is horticultural oil, when is it used, and how does it differ from neem oil?
• [12:57] Neem vs neem oil
• [15:03] How to brighten up your home and keep your houseplants happy all year with high-quality grow lights
• [17:28] DIY houseplant first aid kit essentials: Fungus Gnats Death Drop and neem oil!
• [19:44] Is neem oil safe as a leaf shine for plants, or does it potentially harm them by clogging stomata or pores?
• [22:58] Why should you include fungicide/bio-insecticide in your first aid kit for houseplants?
• [25:52] Does fungicide reverse leaf damage?
• [27:46] Sanitizing vs sterilizing (plus products you should use while pruning)
• [28:48] What is insecticidal soap?
• [30:18] What are systemics, why do they work, and when should they be used? (heavier chemical)
• [32:18] Where can you find the best houseplants with scientific care guides and color-coded collections?
• [34:15] Where can you find high-quality organic fertilizers and potting mixes?
• [40:50] How do hydrogen peroxide and BT work in dealing with houseplant pests?
• [41:43] What is a "drench" in systemic pesticide application?
• [44:16] Why should you have rooting hormone in your first aid kit?
• [45:19] Best tools/gears for your first aid kid!
• [45:20] What are sticky traps? (monitoring tool)
• [47:07] Rubber gloves Leslie recommends!
• [50:15] Why should you use separate snippers/tweezers/pruners for gardening tasks?
• [51:57] Folding potting mat!
• [53:58] Hygrometers/glass domes
• [57:31] Grow lights
• [01:00:19] PAR Meter (for professionals)
• [01:03:36] Maria’s favorite—magnifying glass!
• [01:16:17] Moisture meter
• [01:08:49] Check out Leslie’s books!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Amazon storefront for all products mentioned
• Physan
• Leslie Halleck’s Books
• Episode 204 How to Identify Houseplant Disease
• Episode 200 Common Houseplant Pest Identification and How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats, Spidermites, Scale, White Flies and Mealybugs
• Episode 196 Overwatered Vs Underwatered Plants, How Much Light Do Indoor Plants Need and More Common Houseplant Problems
• Episode 46: Understanding Natural Light: General Rules
• Episode 47: Understanding Natural Light: Measuring Tools
• YouTube How to Save and Revive a Dying Houseplant: Saving My Prayer Plant from the Brink of Death!
• Vita Grow Light

For a complete list of houseplant first aid kit must-haves,

Check out the amazon storefront with links to many of the products discussed today

Grab the Fungus Gnat Death Drops and/or neem oil at happyhappyhouseplant.com and get 10% off with code