Deirdre O Meara 
Houseplant owners, rejoice! A gardening enthusiast has revealed a simple yet effective tip to keep your houseplants thriving. According to @purivedplantfood on TikTok, the reason why your houseplants are dying is because you are not aerating the soil often enough. By using a chopstick to perforate the soil with small holes, you can create pockets of air that allow for better oxygen flow to the roots, which leads to better growth and overall health of the plant.
Soil compaction is the main reason for aerating. When soil becomes too compacted, it prevents air and water from reaching the roots, which can lead to problems such as root rot or stunted growth. Aerating the soil with chopsticks can help to loosen compacted soil and improve water and nutrient distribution to the roots of the plant.
In a clip posted on TikTok, @purivedplantfood demonstrated how to aerate your houseplants’ soil with a chopstick. She noted that she does this at least once, if not twice a month, in order to keep her houseplants growing. The gardening fan advised being gentle while poking holes in the soil and to clean the chopstick or grab a new one before moving on to the next plant.
Moreover, aerating the soil with chopsticks can also be a way to loosen up any surface crust that may have formed on the soil, which can prevent water from penetrating the soil and reaching the roots. This simple and effective tip can promote healthy growth in houseplants, especially for those that are planted in heavy, compacted soil or have been in their pots for a while.
The clip has received an overwhelming response on social media, with 71.4k views, 2,437 likes, 23 comments, and 64 shares. Social media users were grateful for the helpful tip and were eager to give it a try themselves. One person said: “I’ll try this.” Another added: “I need to do this more often!” A third commented: “How often would you do this?”, to which the gardening enthusiast explained “At least once a month but sometimes more. You can tell when your plant really needs it. Older soil needs it more.”
In conclusion, if you are struggling to keep your houseplants alive, try aerating the soil with chopsticks. It is a simple and effective way to promote healthy growth in your plants. Remember to be gentle while poking holes in the soil and to clean the chopstick or grab a new one before moving on to the next plant.
