Think you got a green thumb? Think again. Some of these popular plant myths are so widespread, even the most well-versed plant parents will be sent reeling.
Talking to Plants Helps Them Grow
Is this popular scientific breakthrough actually the biggest plant myth yet? It’s complicated. Talking to your plants can help with growth, but there’s a catch.
Dr. Hes, a plant expert and researcher, tells The Guardian that plants “react favorably to low levels of vibrations, around 115-250hz being ideal.”
So, while talking to your plants can’t hurt, it’s not exactly a conversation. They just like the vibrations (and more research needs to be done, anyway).
All Cactuses Thrive in Deserts
Aside from their prickly exteriors, cactuses are known for one thing: being desert plants. They are in the desert, but that’s not the only place they can grow.
In fact, it’s far from it. According to PBS, they can be found in a multitude of environments, including mountains and rainforests.
So, if you want a cactus but you’re worried about the winter, don’t fret. There are plenty of cactuses, like the claret cup, that grow in colder climates.
Houseplants Purify Indoor Air
This longstanding plant myth has been around since 1989. According to the American Lung Association, NASA once claimed that house plants could remove pollutants from the air.
It wasn’t until 2019 that this was disproven with another study. Well, kind of. They can help clean the air, but only if you’ve got hundreds of them.
The association also points out that these studies were conducted in labs, not actual houses or apartments. In real life, outdoor and indoor air is always mixing.
Plants Only Need Sunlight and Water
Obviously, sun and water are vital for healthy plant growth. However, they’re just two small pieces of the larger puzzle of proper plant care.
Soil is just as important. Before planting, you’ve got to make sure that you’re using the right kind of soil for your specific plant’s needs.
There’s also the matter of space. Planting something that grows outwardly in a tiny, cramped pot is far from ideal, and can kill your plant much too soon.
Coffee Grounds are Great for All Plants
What’s a surefire way to get your plant the nutrients it needs in its soil? Coffee grounds, of course. Or so we thought, anyway.
According to Discovery, this doesn’t hold true. Coffee is chock-full of nitrogen, which is great, but it’s also highly acidic, which is a death knell for some plants.
The biggest issue, though, is caffeine. It’s generally bad for your garden, and can ultimately stunt plant growth, despite the grounds having some positive qualities.
Watering Plants Daily is Necessary
Any catch-all advice about plants is a no-go. Yes, some plants (especially seedlings) do need to be watered daily. However, this doesn’t apply to all of them.
Hardy, drought-tolerant plants, like cactuses and succulents, can go for much longer periods of time without water. And it’s not just plant-dependent, either.
The weather can also affect how much water plants need. Think about it from your perspective — when you’re in hot, arid places, you get thirsty, don’t you?
Orchids are Impossible to Grow
Try to buy an orchid, and you’ll only hear one thing: “Orchids are impossible to grow.” They do require hard work, but “impossible” is an overstatement.
Really, it all comes down to the orchid’s species. Phalaenopsis orchids, for example, can thrive indoors and with indirect sunlight, making them hardier than most (per UMD).
This plant myth isn’t completely unfounded, though. Other species, like the Dracula orchid, are not so adaptable, requiring high humidity and plenty of shade.
You Can’t Overwater Succulents
You most definitely can. In fact, overwatering is probably the number one killer of succulents. People often assume that they need more water than they really do.
Fortunately, it’s not too hard to tell when your succulent has been overwatered. According to Succulent Box, your plant will become discolored, with mushy leaves.
If you catch it in the early stages, your succulent may still be salvageable. The best course of action is to unpot it to dry out its roots.
All Ferns Prefer Shade
This is another one of those plant myths that stems from truth. Yes, lots of ferns do like the shade. However, like all plants, they need sunlight.
If you’re planning on growing your own ferns, then make sure they’re partially shaded. Full shade, contrary to popular belief, is overkill.
Really, though, it’s species-dependent. Ostrich ferns need some sunlight, though not too much. According to SDSU, if exposed to too much sunlight, they require more moisture to compensate.
Plants Grow Faster with More Fertilizer
Fertilizer is generally great for plant growth. A healthy helping of the stuff can make your plants grow at a more rapid rate.
However, like all things, there’s a limit. Piling endless amounts of fertilizer onto your plant beds can actually have the opposite affect, stunting their growth.
Your best bet is to buy plant-specific fertilizer and follow the instructions given. The last thing you want is to damage your plants by going overboard.
Bonsai Trees are a Species
This one’s probably throwing you for a loop. Turns out, “bonsai” is actually a growing method, not a species of tree. Technically, any tree can be a bonsai.
So, what kind of technique is it, exactly? Well, according to All Things Bonsai, it aims to grow regular trees in smaller sizes.
And yes, they’re grown from the same seeds normal trees are. There are a number of methods that help maintain the bonsai tree’s size, including regular pruning.
Moss Only Grows on the North Side of Trees
Moss may prefer to grow on the north side of trees, but it’s not the only place they can grow. Plus, this preference depends largely on location.
Since moss thrives in moist, shady environments, it’ll grow on whichever side meets those conditions. So, in the southern hemisphere, it grows on the south side of trees.
Even so, moss doesn’t exclusively grow on one side of trees. According to the Hidden Oaks Nature Center, it can grow wherever those conditions are met.
Ivy Damages Building Walls
This plant myth is pretty widespread, so it might be shocking to learn that it’s actually not the case. A little bit of ivy won’t damage your walls.
It depends on how well-constructed the building is. If minimal ivy growth is damaging a building, it can be chalked up to shoddy masonry.
Still, it shouldn’t be allowed to grow unchecked, especially if the building is old. Excessive ivy can creep into a building’s cracks and force them open.
You Can Propagate Any Plant from Cuttings
Most plants can be propagated from cuttings — but not all. And it’s not always easy to do, either. Your success rate will vary from species to species.
As always, it’s best to brush up on your plant facts before getting started. We’ll give you a pointer: steer clear of eucalyptus and Japanese maples. They’re notoriously difficult.
If you’re experienced, then you’ll have more luck. However, you won’t have success with palm tree cuttings, regardless of your skill level. They only grow from seeds.
All Plants Go Dormant in Winter
It’s normal for most plants to go dormant in the wintertime to conserve energy. However, what dormancy looks like differs from plant to plant.
Some plants go into a state of semi-dormancy, where they’re more functional than most. Others, particularly indoor plants living in stable conditions year-round, don’t go dormant.
This non-dormant state can be achieved with the help of artificial lighting, which creates optimal growing conditions regardless of the season. Still, research your plant before buying some.
Plants Don’t Grow Well Indoors
There are definitely plants that are better suited for outdoor life. However, lots of plants can survive — and even thrive! — indoors.
Bonsai trees are one such plant. Their small size makes them perfect for the indoors. Generally speaking, small plants are best for indoor gardening.
Aside from issues regarding size, though, plants do well indoors. You just need to make sure their light and water needs are met.
Organic Pesticides are Always Safe
Organic pesticides are safer than synthetic ones, but they’re not 100% risk-free. Before investing in one, make sure they won’t harm your pets or other plants in your garden.
For example, ryania, a popular natural pesticide, can be harmful for fish (per WebMD). Other natural pesticides, like neem, tend to be safer.
The best way to ensure the safety of your pesticides is to read the label. That’s where store-bought pesticides spell out the product’s toxicity levels.
Succulents Don’t Need Pruning
Succulents are known for being pretty low-maintenance, but they still require some care. As is the case with most plants, pruning can help succulents grow.
Unlike leafier plants, succulents don’t require pruning often. Of course, the specifics vary, but they usually only call for the occasional pruning.
This may seem like extra work, but there’s a bright side to it. If you dry out the cuttings properly, you can propagate them!
Trees Have Deep Taproots
You’d think that trees would have deep taproots, but it’s just another plant myth. Sure, some trees do, but a lot of them tend to have shallow taproots.
Mugo pines are one such example of a tree with shallow taproots. Most fruit trees also tend to have shallower root systems, including the taproot.
When it comes to planting trees in your yard, you’ll want ones with deep taproots that don’t spread. If you’re looking for those, we suggest star magnolia trees.
Plants Can’t Survive in Artificial Light
On the contrary, indoor plants can thrive with grow lights, though you need to get the right kind. Which lights you choose depends on the plant.
Ferns, like we mentioned earlier, tend not to need a ton of sunlight. So, you won’t need a grow light with a really high intensity.
Plants like these are more likely to thrive in such conditions, since they’re not as sun-dependent. You should do your research, but generally, plants can survive in artificial light.