How to Take care of plants during Monsoon

Plants bloom well and add a lush look and fresh feeling to our homes but many times, they may catch infections in the rainy season. Hence, during the rainy season, you need to provide equivalent efforts to beautify your plants.

Beautiful, colourful plants like ferns, palm plants, or the Chlorophytum thrive and grow much better than the flowering plants in rains, the exception being lilies.

Some plants like the ones listed below grow particularly well indoors during the monsoon and can be bought online at expert online plant nurseries like Root Bridges.

• Anthurium plant comes with large, heart-shaped glossy flower and leathery arrow-shaped green leaves and does not require direct sunlight and hence grows very well during the monsoon.
• Green Fittonia Plant which has delicate silvery-veined dark green leaves, is known to grow well in cool and moist climate and hence an excellent choice of plant to grow during monsoons.
• Syngonium plant has large five-lobed shaped pink-variegated dark green leaves. They bloom well in humid climate and less lit spaces and hence a good choice for monsoons.
• Monstera broken heart plant also grows beautifully in the monsoon. The Broken Heart Plant, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Philodendron Broken Heart, is the smaller cousin of the large leaved Monstera Deliciosa, and as prized in the collection of every plant parent.

Best gardening tips in Monsoon:

1. Avoid water stagnation - The accumulation of the rainwater in indoor plants located in the balconies or terraces of households is a major issue. It causes the soil nutrients to wash away and deprive the plants of all the nourishment. Thus, make provision for drainage and see to it that all the water moves out of the garden. For example, succulents receive a lot of watering than required because of rainwater; hence, care should be taken to expose the plants to sunlight for a certain period during the day and after the raining stops.

2. Prune regularly - Prune your plant with pruning & cutting tools regularly and take off the parts as soon as the rains hit. This is the right time for new shoots to grow but space should be created for them.

3. Allow usage of earthworms and other fertilizers - Utilize earthworms and fertilizers during the monsoon to ensure that your soil never loses its fertility. Earthworms also keep the soil aerated and make sure that the water percolates below the surface. Use good organic slow releasing fertilizers and manures for your plant.

4. Pull out the weeds - Weeds can grow rapidly during the rains and thus soak up the nourishment intended for your plants. Hence, keep weeding in timely intervals to avoid harmful growth.

5. Make provision for light in your garden - Light becomes an issue of worry during the monsoons, especially if you have plants that are dependent on sunlight. Using artificial sources of light can be very effective method to rid of excessive monsoon insects. Allow some frogs or toads to enter your home plantations that help keep your garden insect free.

6. Avoid walking on the wet soil - Avoid walking on wet soil, specifically where you intend to plant new saplings as that can pack the soil particles together and squeeze out the necessary oxygen necessary for growth.

7. Use perforated sheets to protect your plants from heavy rain - Perforated sheets are becoming more popular during monsoon than the opaque sheets that hinder plant growth. They protect plants from excess rain while still giving them the necessary moisture.

8. Remove the algae - You’ll need to get your hands dirty (or not, use gloves of course!) and get rid of the slimy algae that begin to grow with the onset of the monsoon. Check your soil surface for the green algae patches and remove them immediately.

9. Provide physical support to your plants - Many plants are vulnerable to strong wind so make sure it is not damaging your plants. If you have some young slow growing trees or shrubs planted in a garden, provide physical support to them.

10. Prevent soil erosion - Rainwater may cause soil erosion exposing roots which hamper the growth of plants. Create a barrier around plants so that soil would not erode but remember this barrier should not create water logging condition.

We hope that these tips have shed some light on how to maintain your home garden during the monsoon. Monsoon is a time for growth and bloom exercising some necessary precautions. While the rain takes away the need to water your plants regularly, you still need to do your bit if you love your home garden. More tips and indoor plants to buy online can be found at Root Bridges.

Mudita Khanna (mudita.khanna@gmail.com) has contributed to this article.