Treat Houseplant Root Rot With Hydrogen Peroxide
Plant people know that it is important not only to water the plant, but also to know when enough will be enough. It’s easy to overdo a plan, especially one that only needs to be watered once a week. You might think you are doing your plant a favor by sneaking a little more water than is technically required and making sure it stays hydrated.
But in fact it can be the so-called “root rot”. This is what it looks like, and one way to try to spice up your foliage is by using something that is probably under your sink right now.
What is Root Rot?
Root rot is exactly what it looks like. According to Horticultural Know-how, this can be caused by two scenarios, both related to water:
- Prolonged over-watering, which can cut off oxygen access to the plant’s roots, causing them to rot, potentially spreading to (and killing) healthy roots.
- The fungus can be present in the soil and dormant until it is watered.
You can tell when a plant is suffering from root rot because it starts to wilt and turn yellow. If you take the plant out of the pot and examine its roots , the first thing you notice is the smell of swamp and / or rotten eggs. Rotten roots will turn black and may fall apart when touched.
How to use hydrogen peroxide to fight root rot
Not all plants with rotten roots are salvageable. But in some cases, they can be thanks to hydrogen peroxide, which kills the bacteria responsible for rotting and releases additional oxygen into the soil, which helps the plant to produce new healthy roots, according to Molly Williams of Apartment Therapy.
Don’t just water the roots with hydrogen peroxide. Instead, create a mixture of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide and two parts water and place it in a watering can or spray bottle. You can use it while the plant is still in the pot, or by removing it from the pot.
According to Williams, here’s how to water a potted plant:
Let the soil dry completely. Then thoroughly water the plant with the hydrogen peroxide solution. Repeat this process until you see an improvement in the health of your plant. If you’re not sure if your plant’s roots are healthy again, take it out of the pot and check. In a healthy state, the roots will be firm and whitish.
And here’s how to do it by removing the plant from the pot, again, according to Williams :
Carefully remove all potting medium around the plant’s roots. After full exposure, spray or pour the hydrogen peroxide solution all over the root ball. Transplant the plant into a new wet potting mix. Let the soil dry before watering the plant again.
While it won’t work every time, if you’re about to throw away a rotten plant because it looks like it can’t be repaired, try a hydrogen peroxide solution.