Can I Spray Vinegar On Houseplants

Can I Spray Vinegar On Houseplants?

Vinegar is one of those substances we all have in our homes. It’s cheap and lying around. It’s also a substance that more and more people are recommending to put on their houseplants, but should we be doing this or is it harming our plants?

So can I spray vinegar on houseplants? Although some houseplants can tolerate a bit of diluted vinegar as a way to repel pests, keep away pets or just give your plants a clean, this really isn’t that good for your plants and can damage many species of plants. At best you might burn the leaves of your plant a bit and at worst you could kill the entire plant.

The damage done to the plant will depend on the amount of vinegar, how concentrated your vinegar solution is and the species of plant; whether it’s a hardy acid loving plant and something a bit more sensitive.

Why do people spray vinegar on houseplants?

There are three main reason people spray vinegar on houseplants and here are some alternative solutions you can try to avoid damaging your plant.

One of the first reasons is to repel pets. Cats especially seem to love munching on houseplants. Instead of soaking the plant in vinegar why not try standing your pot on a saucer or plate and placing vinegar soaked cotton wool balls on the plate. This should keep your pet away from your plants but prevent the plant from being damaged.

The second most common reason is to get rid of pests.

Finally people say that they use vinegar to clean the foliage of their plants. Rather than waiting until muck and dirt builds up on your plant’s leaves, why not wash your plant regularly with a wet towel. That way you’re only using water but the frequency should help prevent dirt build up and keep your plant breathing happily.

If this hasn’t answered your question of can I spray vinegar on houseplants enough, then check out some other questions that readers have been asking.

Will vinegar hurt houseplants?

Depending on the species yes vinegar can hurt houseplants quite significantly, even causing death of the plant in more serious cases. Some houseplants that like acidic soil may be able to deal with vinegar but you should still be careful.

Can you clean plant leaves with vinegar?

It would be much more beneficial to clean your plants more regularly with a wet towel than to wait until enough grime has built up that you need something stronger like vinegar.

What happens when you put vinegar on your plants?

Vinegar will cause your plant to dry out and can kill your plant. If you get vinegar on your plant you should try and dilute it with water and wash any leaves that may have come into contact with the substance.

So to summarise can I spray vinegar on houseplants? You probably shouldn’t.

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