How to Best Protect Flooring From Indoor Plants
Whether you’ve recently remodeled or you just want to ensure that your newest plant babies don’t bring about said remodeling before it’s time, we have tips and tricks to keep your floor looking like new! So go ahead, raid the garden department! Your floors are safe with us.
Stop Dragging Your Pots Around!
We know that snake plant is heavy, but that’s exactly why you cannot be dragging it across your lovely floors! Hardwood easily scratches, and even tile isn’t immune, especially if there’s a jagged bottom on your terra-cotta pot. Carpet can feel safe, but you don’t want to accidentally grind dirt and greenery into the carpet and cause difficult stains.
So pick that pot up to transport it! If it’s too heavy to lift, try sliding a small mat or furniture sliders underneath the pot to keep it from scratching or staining your floors.
Use Plant Trays Please
Before you pot your plants, slide a plant tray underneath them to catch and water or soil that falls out the bottom. If you’re worried about ventilation, place your plants on a stand or a little grate within the tray. This creates a protective barrier between your floor and the plants so you don’t end up with stains or rot circles underneath them.
Use Rugs to Your Advantage
Rugs are more than aesthetically pleasing when it comes to house-proofing your plants. If you place your plants on rubber-backed rugs, you can prevent overflow and absorb stray sap. These rugs are also great for the execution of the aforementioned pot dragging! Two tips in one product!
No Wild Watering
We know that it’s early and you’re late for work, but be mindful of your floors when you’re watering your plants. Even if you clean up your spills, the excess moisture can build up over time and cause lasting damage.
Hardwoods are sensitive to moisture levels and can warp, gap, or stain as they absorb water. Carpets may seem to magically dry on their own after you dab up the excess, but mold and mildew can start to grow out of sight, polluting your breathing air and worsening allergy symptoms. Tile is the best flooring for plants because it’s naturally water-resistant, but remember that damp tile is extra slippery so be careful not to slip!
Even if your aim is true, water can often leak out of the bottom of your pots. We know your plants like a good soaking, but try checking the soil moisture level more frequently and watering lightly if possible. Otherwise, watering outside and bringing them back in after they drain can be a perfect solution! There are also automatic watering bulbs that can cut back on spillage tremendously.
Watch Carefully for Signs of Insect Infestation
Any insect infestation can be alarming, but scale insects can be especially harmful to your flooring. Scale insects are teeny tiny and eat the sap in your plant’s leaves. This leaves little holes that leak sap onto your floors, which can stain or harden and permanently damage your flooring.
If you notice more sap shedding than usual, check for scale insects. If you find an infestation, spray your plants down with insecticide–preferably an organic, non-toxic one! It’s best to do this outside to avoid fumigating yourself and your plants. Keep in mind that the insecticide can also cause discoloration in your flooring so wait until pots are completely dry to bring them back in.
Have questions about the best flooring for your remodel? The Carpet Center can help! Contact us for a free estimate based on your budget and needs.