Garden Day is taking place once again on 15 October – the annual event that calls on South Africans to relax and spend time in their garden space – whether its a few potted plants or a sprawling lawn.

Fatima Mabulu is a plant consultant as well as a tech analyst and a long distance runner with a passion for plants who became so involved in her collection of potted plants during Covid that it gave seed to her current venture which helps corporates create green spaces for employees to enjoy.

Fatima will be running the Two Oceans Marathon on Garden Day before going home to host her Garden Day celebration!

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Below Fatima gives advice on how to nurture your indoor plants this Summer season:

Preparing your plants for summer means revisiting your maintenance schedules like watering, plant food and lighting. The soil gets dry faster so they will require more water and make sure they don’t get sunburned if they have been moved closer to the window.

It’s important to do some research on all the different types of plants you have as they all have different needs therefore can never be treated the same. Some plants like to dry out between watering, and some don’t…some prefer a lot of light, and some prefer low light and so on and so forth.

Some few tips to consider before watering your plants:

1. Pick your plant up to check if it’s heavy or not…. if it’s lighter than usual then it’s time to water…if it’s heavy then give it another day or two and check if the soil has dried out… you can also check the soil with your own fingers or a wooden stick. It’s always better to underwater water your plants than overwater it as this will lead to root rot.

2. Leaves curling up and some might be droopy (e.g., peace lily)

Plants are more active during this time of the year, especially when they are happy, so you will see a lot of new growth. Another important point to consider is since you are now watering more frequently … This will mean the nutrients will get washed off so consider including plant food every 2nd/ 3rd time you water them.

How do you know your plant is due to be re-potted?

1. The more your plant grows, so are the roots… when you see roots coming underneath your pot then it means your plant has outgrown its pot. Normally you should choose a pot that is one or two sizes bigger than the current one.

2. The soil is compacted, dries out quicker or is like a sponge … you will also notice the water immediately rundown the drainage holes when you are watering… this can cause problems for your plant because the water hasn’t penetrated properly meaning the roots didn’t receive enough water then it’s time for fresh soil.

3. The plant growing slower than expected… this could be a lack of nutrients.

NB: allow your plant to adjust to the new environment after it has been repotted… some plants go into shock / stress after transplanting.

4. Root rot is the number one killer of plants so resist the urge to water them every few days… Always check the soil before you water your plant as some tend to dry out faster because it’s getting a lot of air, and some might take a bit longer to dry out depending on where they are placed. Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy plants, make sure the soil drains well, light and airy.

5. The root system of a healthy plant is always firm and white.

The following are signs that you might be dealing with some root rot issues:

1. Yellowing leaves, wilting, soft stem, slow growth and the roots will be mushy and darker in colour as they rot.

2. Look out for fungus gnats, this is due to the topsoil that is always moist. The best way to help manage them is to start bottom watering your plant so the top soil dries out. This works for plants that are potted in a pot with drainage holes (this is highly recommended). Get yourself a container and fill it with water. Place your plant inside the container and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Get yellow sticky traps and insert them in your soil. Bright colors attract insects, these are not harmful and are natural pest control.

3. Plants accumulate dust just like anything in your house, it’s important to clean the leaves occasionally by wiping with lukewarm water and a few drops of dishwasher / some people prefer showering them… whatever works for you. Removing dust from your plants will help it absorb sunlight easier so it can feed itself and stay healthy and happy.

By: Fatima Mabulu, 2023 Garden Day Friend