The single leaf, known by botanists as Spathiphyllum, comes from the warm and always humid rainforests of South America. The popular houseplant has a high water and nutrient requirement, which is why hydroponics are ideal. This form of plant culture is suitable for people without a "green thumb" who often forget to water or for plant lovers who are often away for a long time.

The single leaf can be kept wonderfully in hydroponics

Benefits of Hydroponics

Thanks to hydroponics, the single leaf is continuously supplied with water and nutrients, so you don't have to constantly think about watering and fertilizing. You can also use the water level indicator to see when you need to top up the water - and, above all, how much. "Drowning" your plant in hydroponics is not impossible, but it is much more difficult than in conventional soil culture. In addition, hydroponics has another advantage that allergy sufferers in particular appreciate: since the plants are kept in inorganic material, mold and other biologically active sources of disease cannot develop in the substrate.

Properly care for single leaf in hydroponics

However, slightly different rules apply to the care of plants in hydroponics. So you should think of these points, especially when watering and fertilizing:

  • Watering only takes place when the water level indicator is below the minimum value.
  • However, do not refill the water immediately, but wait a few days.
  • If the single leaf is in a bright location, only water after two to three days.
  • If the plant is in the shade, refill after four to five days.
  • Do not top up to the maximum or only if you will be away for a long period of time.
  • On the other hand, let the water level indicator fluctuate around the minimum value.
  • When fertilizing, use only hydroponic fertilizers.
  • Because hydroponic plants grow more slowly, transplanting is less necessary.
  • Only replace the upper one to two centimeters of the expanded clay layer.
  • Nutrient salts are deposited here, but they can be washed out.

tips

Experts advise against switching from soil to hydroponics, as this is associated with extreme stress for the plants and they rarely survive such a measure. Instead, however, you can reduce the maintenance effort by switching to so-called planting systems based on clay granules.

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Care tips