Snake plants are well-loved for their glossy leaves that twist and ripple into interesting shapes – but when they don’t get the nutrients they need they can shrivel up and wither. Fortunately, there’s a common household leftover that will perk them back up.
There are a lot of benefits to reusing thrown out food in your plant pots. Not only will it save you money on expensive fertilisers, it helps cut down on the growing issue of food waste. Food waste is a prevalent issue in UK homes. In fact, according to Waste Managed, the UK produces over 9.5 million tonnes of food waste every year – the highest in Europe.
One of the major reasons for this is consumer behaviour. Many people throw out food items like bread and fruit peel every year, without considering how it can be reused in the garden. Even food you don’t expect can be beneficial for wildlife.
According to a viral hack, eggshells are actually a fantastic superfood for your snake plants. This is because the crunchy tissue provides a natural source of calcium, which is necessary for plant growth.
It is incredibly easy to prepare, too. Clever Hacks advise: “Simply crack a few eggs, dry the shells and grind them into a powder.”
They then recommend sprinkling the powder over the snake plant’s soil in order to disperse it evenly. You should repeat this once every month.
However, you need to be careful not dump a load of egg shell onto your plant. Clever Hacks recommend: “Gently mix [the eggshells] into the top layer of the soil.”
Snake plants do not require high amounts of calcium to stay healthy. Therefore, feeding them too much of the mineral can lead to white crystals building up on the soil. This prevents them from absorbing other essential nutrients.
If you repeat this hack regularly, your snake plant should begin to sprout new leaves. The burst of calcium will also help strengthen the ones it already has.
Another benefit is that a thriving snake plant can also help improve indoor air quality. This is because they absorb nasty toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
These are then recycled into oxygen and moisture, which can lead to better sleep, mental health and even healthier skin. As a bonus, it also helps people with allergies, as it reduces the amount of dust in the air.
While they’re known for being low maintenance, snake plants need some care. Other ways to keep your snake plants healthy include watering them sparingly and keeping them out of direct sunlight.
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