Growing Houseplants in Cedar Mulch

In the circle of indoor plant lovers, the cedar chipping method arouses curiosity and a lot of enthusiasm. More beautiful plants, healthier, easier to maintain and whose growth is accelerated, we testify on social networks. Revolutionary ? Let’s see.

Isabelle Morin
The Press

Karelle Gagnon had a late awakening to indoor gardening, she admits. In the pandemic, his initial curiosity turned into real passion. Since then, she has been following various gardening groups on her social media. This is also where she was introduced to a “new” growing technique that has indoor gardening enthusiasts talking, and which consists of growing her plants in a substrate composed solely of cedar mulch, rather than on the ground.

“That way they never run out of water. I can even go on vacation for two weeks without worrying about losing them,” she says, describing the progress made since she changed her ways three months ago. The leaves of the pothos, philodendrons and hoyas, which she particularly likes, are shinier and larger; their colors, more vibrant. Another enthusiast of rare plants, Janick Sarrazin, testifies to similar observations thanks to this “new” process: “The plants are much more beautiful and they tend to produce more leaves. »

Interest in this way of growing indoor plants has been notable since September, observes the director of Serres St-Élie, Mélanie Grégoire. “It’s a renewed interest,” she insists. The technique itself is not new. Moreover, the horticulturist had already made it the subject of a column in Simply Clodine, 12 years ago. This enthusiasm is not unrelated, according to her, to the popularity of certain plants. Those of the Araceae family, which includes monstera, philodendron, pothos, anthurium, colocasia, alocasia and alaonema, among others, are currently experiencing their heyday.

“When I find that by comparing myself, I don’t have many plants at home, it’s because some people have really made a passion out of them! “, she says. However, Araceae, which grow mainly in tropical or subtropical environments, are particularly suited to the mulch cultivation technique which reproduces their typical ecosystem.

A suitable environment

In their native environment, the aroids evolve in an aerated soil which provides them with a great deal of humidity. Their roots, aerial, cling to those of trees and trunks, or spread out in the superficial layers of soil composed of chips that act as water retainers. This explains it: the mulch method recreates an environment naturally adapted to the needs of these plants.

By soaking up water, the shavings provide the plant with a constant bath of hydration, without being excessive. The frequency of watering is thus reduced. The risk of overwatering, eliminated at the same time. Added to these benefits is the fact that mulch is an insect repellent. When nutrients are incorporated into the water, it also becomes fully available to the roots since it is not shared with the soil.

Going from a traditional culture in the ground to this method, which is similar to hydroponics, however, requires a certain adjustment, specifies Mélanie Grégoire. The watering routine becomes unnecessary, but it is necessary, on the other hand, to ensure that the water level is sufficient. A transparent pot (and without a hole) will also allow you to see clearly.

Where to start ?

To switch from growing in the ground to growing in a pot, all you have to do is gently unpot the plant and gently clean its roots with a gentle spray to remove the soil. After filling a container with cedar mulch — the same one used in the garden in summer — ideally natural, the plant can be placed there so that its roots are covered and do not exceed the upper third of the substrate. You can then pour about 3 cm or 1 in of water at the bottom of the pot, ensuring that an equivalent distance separates the roots from the water.

“The plant will draw only the hydration it needs and will develop its root system accordingly. Its roots may eventually touch the water, but the plant must go there on its own”, specifies the horticulturist. Maintenance will then consist of adding water as needed and changing the substrate when it disintegrates, which is done slowly, however. After a month, or as long as the plant develops its water roots, you can start supplying it with nutrients.

Araceae and Co.

If the aroids like this familiar environment, so do the begonias, cissus, peperomias and zamiozulcas. “In theory, other types of plants could like it, but that’s with all reservations. We are still at the experimental stage”, according to Mélanie Grégoire, who suggests trying out plants that are easier to grow, such as monstera or pothos, or those to which we are less attached.

Once you have mastered the technique, you can then expand and have fun testing the formula with other plants. “I can’t see the African violet or a cactus growing in these conditions, but there again, we could have surprises”, according to the horticulturist.

Among the members of the Cultivation of indoor plants in cedar mulch group on Facebook, several testify to the successes obtained with different types of plants, even less water-intensive ones such as succulents or…cacti! “As the days get longer, the plants wake up and start growing again. If you’re curious, it’s time to try it! »