If you can learn how to get rid of mold in plants it will help you salvage your indoor plants – cut off the affected leaves, spray the plant, use neem oil or mouthwash. If you notice any white, dark green, or black substance on your plant, this could be houseplant mold.
Several things like overwatering, poor drainage, poor ventilation, contaminated soil, poor air circulation, and lack of adequate sunlight cause mold. Let’s learn how to remove mold for good!
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How To Get Rid of Mold in Plants Using These Simple Steps?
To get rid of mold in plants using simple steps, you can use a few home remedies to help you. They include cutting off the leaves affected, spraying the affected plant with a fungicide, and using neem, mouthwash, vinegar, or milk.
1. Cut off the Affected Leaves Using Sharp Shears or Scissors
If you suspect your houseplants could be affected by mold, inspect them thoroughly, looking at all the leaves on both the upper and lower sides. If you notice some leaves are already affected, cut them off at the stem using scissors or shears.
This will stop the mold growing and improve the plant’s airflow. Dispose of the moldy leaves away from other plants or any compost manure. White mold is easily identified by its fuzzy white texture that looks like cotton, while the dark green or black mold is dark in color with a splotchy pattern.
2. Spray the Affected Plant With a Fungicide
Once you have cut off the affected leaves from the plant, it’s vital to spray it with a fungicide spray to keep the mold away from coming back. Spray the plant thoroughly until the beads of fungicide run off the leaves.
3. Use Neem Oil
This natural oil is an effective insecticide helping eliminate white mold and pests affecting the plant. If you notice any powdery mildew on the leaves, spraying this oil immediately will help save your plants. Mix two teaspoons of neem oil with a half-gallon water.
Put this in a spray bottle and add generously on the infected part. Repeat this every few days until the mold is eliminated. It can be applied to all plants as it is friendly and does not burn the leaves. Spray this oil solution on the houseplant soil to eliminate pests and diseases that love to hide in the soil.
4. Use Mouthwash
Yes, ethanol-based mouthwash is effective in eliminating mold. Mix one part mouthwash with three parts water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray sparingly to the affected areas avoiding oversaturation.
This mixture is effective in treating white mold but should be used cautiously. Use it sparingly as it can harm the new plant growth and burn leaves if used too often.
5. Spray with Apple Cider Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is a natural anti-fungal solution that destroys mold and eliminates the white spots from your plants. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider with a quart of water and pour into the spray bottle.
Spray into the affected areas, including stems and leaves around the diseased part. Repeat this practice after a few days until all the mold is gone. You can also spray the plant and soil every two weeks to remove mold and mold prevention.
You can substitute it with white vinegar if you don’t have ACV at home. Remember, vinegar is acidic; therefore, don’t use an intense concentration; instead, a mild one will do to avoid burning the leaves. If unsure, your plant can handle vinegar, spray on one leaf and monitor the reaction.
6. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is effective in eliminating powdery mold of any type. It’s as simple as mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with 32 ounces of water and pouring the mixture into a spray bottle. Mist the leaves affected by mold with the solution generously.
For plants you want to protect from infection, mist both sides of the leaves thoroughly and allow the excess solution to drip off. Repeat the process after several days to ensure all the mold is dealt with thoroughly.
7. Place Your Plant Outside To Keep It Safe From Mold
Placing your plant outdoors is the best natural way to deal with mold. Bring your plant outside and clean it to ensure no mold spores are left floating in the indoor air to affect other houseplants.
Keep the plant outdoors for several days before returning it indoors to ensure the mold problem is eliminated. Keep the plant away from other plants you may have and trees to prevent mold from the risk of spreading.
8. Use Cow’s Milk
Cow’s milk helps eliminate powdery white coatings on the leaves and stems. It is believed to have an antifungal effect that fights mold in plants. It also doesn’t affect the mineral balance of the potting soil mix, which is one great advantage.
The only disadvantage is the foul sour smell it produces a few days later. Prepare a milk solution of 40/60 to water and put it into a spray bottle. Spray on the affected parts of a plant generously until it overflows.
Place the plant outdoors under direct sunlight to dry. This also helps the milk solution be more effective for your plants and keep the sour smell away. Repeat this procedure after 10 to 14 days to eliminate all the mold.
How to Keep Mold from Growing on Plants?
To keep mold from growing on plants ensure you water them adequately without exceeding the amounts, provide proper drainage, keep the ventilation clear, avoid overcrowding your houseplants, and clean your plants often. It is possible if you practice good gardening while following these critical steps.
1. Water the Plants Adequately
To ensure your plants are well-watered, follow a strict watering schedule. This will ensure you provide adequate water without overwatering.
Powdery mildew thrives in damp conditions, so overwatered houseplant soil will likely become a host. The amount of water you provide should depend on the plant’s species, the size of the plant, and the potting mix.
2. Provide Adequate Drainage
Drainage holes in a pot are critical as they allow the excess water to overflow and prevent mold growth. If your containers lack drainage holes or are inadequate, you can experience mold on your soil or plants. You can still drill holes in the bottom of your pots or buy those with holes to curb this problem.
3. Provide Proper Ventilation for Your Houseplants
Houseplants require proper ventilation to keep them healthy. Place your houseplants near windows that can open, or use a fan to ensure there is necessary airflow around them.
Flowing air is extremely important to your plants as it prevents mold growth. You can also keep them outdoors for a few days if you notice they need more air and bring them back in.
4. Do Not Overcrowd Your Plants
If you grow your houseplants too close to each other, they will not have enough breathing space. This will lead to high humidity, a perfect mold starter.
Provide your plants with good circulation so they can thrive. Keep the plants apart from each other to allow adequate breathing. Do not grow too many plants in one pot, as they will not have space to breathe and will be an easy target.
5. Keep Your Plants Clean
Keep your plants clean by wiping them with a soft cloth with soap to remove dirt. Spot cleaning them will eliminate any risk of spores that may be present in the plant. If you notice the mold has already formed, take it outdoors before cleaning it to keep it from moving to other plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Can You Save Your Plants From Mold?
Yes, you can save your plants from mold by getting rid of it when it’s relatively new. Do not allow it to grow too far before you eliminate it. If the mold continues to grow or returns after a few weeks, repot the plant using organic soil.
– What Is One Antifungal To Use for Mold?
One antifungal to use for mold is a mix of mild liquid soap and water. Mix one teaspoon of soap with a quart water. Spray this mixture on your houseplants to treat mold and other common pests. You can add a teaspoon of bicarbonate to make it a great fungicide.
Conclusion
So, you have a detailed guide on how to get rid of mold in plants, and you can take care of your houseplants in a much better way. You can stop the mold from attacking your plants before it grows and destroy them if you find it already growing. Here are essential things to consider as you fight the mold:
- Mold is one of the top common problems that affect houseplants but can be treated easily with homemade solutions or fungicides if spotted early before it spreads.
- Don’t be tempted to wipe the powdery mold off leaves because it will quickly spread mold spores to other plants.
- Provide perfect growing conditions for indoor plants to keep them from developing mold, which is very common, especially in cold weather.
- If your plant is fully affected by mold, destroy it and the houseplant soil mix, replacing it with sterile soil to grow new plants.
You can care for your houseplants better because you have the correct information!
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