Ever wonder why some plants have a powdery outer layer?
Epicuticular waxes are three dimensional crystals covering the outermost layer of most land plants. Some plants have adapted to have more protective waxes for survival.
Epicuticular waxes serve important functions for the plant life they blanket in three key ways: moisture balance/hydration retention, sunburn protection, and as a built in pest care system.
These waxes appear as a white, blush, grey, or our most favorite color of all...glaucous!
You've probably noticed it covering fruits like plums, blueberries, apples, and pineapples. It's also often more visible on vegetables in the brassica family like kale, brussel sprouts or cabbages.
Epicuticular waxes are also visible on many of our houseplants in the cactus and succulent family, echeveria and agave being the most common. This wax also covers branches on some cedar trees, staghorn ferns, palms, and air plants too!
Epicuticular waxes serve important functions for the plant life they blanket in three key ways: moisture balance and retention, preventing sunburn, and as a built in pest care system.
Hydration
This waxy layer is responsible for regulating hydration in dry desert climates or in times of drought or, in some cases, when plant parents forget to water for extended periods of time. It happens!
Sun protection
Epicuticular waxes reflect UV radiation, acting essentially as a built in sunscreen, preventing damage from sunburn. This is why it's so important to leave that layer alone as much as possible, even when you're tempted to touch!
Pest Prevention
Finally, these waxes make the surface more difficult for insects to walk on or to lay their eggs on. Wonderful built in pest protection! Always amazing at the inherent wisdom of plant life! The coating also helps to keep things clean as any particles of dust or soil have a hard time adhering to the surface.
Our tonics are safe to use on every plant in your home and garden however we suggest avoid spraying our Sacred Leaf Tonic on plants with this vital protective coating as the oils in our leaf blend can strip away some of that layer. Instead we recommend using our Sacred Soil Tonic as a foliar feed and applying as you would our Sacred Leaf Tonic.
Here's more about Foliar Feeding and how leaves function for an even greater understanding.
Happy growing friends!
Karina and Team SE