If your garden is looking less than stellar then hydrogen peroxide might just be what you need. Hydrogen peroxide for plants is a friendly alternative to harmful chemicals.
Today, we’ll be discussing ways you can use this little gem for a more robust garden. Let’s get started!
What is Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid that is similar to water but slightly more viscous. You can get a bottle of hydrogen peroxide anywhere from the grocery store to drug store.
It’s usually available from pharmacies at 3 and 6 percent concentrations. These are sometimes described in terms of the volume of oxygen gas generated; one milliliter of a 20-volume solution generates twenty milliliters of oxygen gas when completely decomposed.
It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic.
However, it can be used not only for cleaning wounds but, it can also do wonders for your garden.
While it is not an organic product, it is still considered safe for use and environmentally-friendly.
This is because it ultimately decomposes into oxygen molecules and water so you don’t have to worry about using it in an organic garden.
It Combats Root Rot
Root rot is a common problem that is often caused by being too generous when watering your plants and poor drainage. When you over water your healthy plant, any pockets of air found in the soil are filled with tap water which basically drowns your garden plants at their healthy roots.
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Apart from being more mindful of how often and how much water you give your plants and plant roots, you can also use a mixture of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration mixed in 1 quart of water once a week to encourage healthy root growth in your plants’ roots or treat the spread of root rot and root decay.
But these tips for hydrogen peroxide for root rot work best at the first signs of root rot.
Plants can get much-needed oxygen levels from this hydrogen peroxide mix for plants. After applying this solution to your affected roots, wait until the top two inches of surrounding wet soil have dried before watering your plant’s roots again.
It Fights Fungal and Bacterial Infections
The common issue of harmful fungi can wreak havoc in your garden in a number of ways. It can cause leaf and stem rot, powdery mildew, weakening of plants, yellowing of plant leaves, and cause seeds dampening off.
The good news is you can use hydrogen peroxide to fight off fungal infections. But not only does the use of hydrogen peroxide kill fungus it also kills fungus gnats larvae on the leaves of your infected plant while the hydrogen peroxide solutions break down.
Mix together 1 pint of water with 4 teaspoons 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. You may want to wear rubber gloves while using hydrogen peroxide on plants.
Spray it on affected plants. For the best approach be sure, however, to use the correct dilution since too much or higher concentrations of pure straight hydrogen peroxide in plants can burn plant tissues which will harm your plants when you’re trying to help them. So make sure you don’t use too much hydrogen peroxide on plants.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide to prevent bacterial infection and rot caused by cuts and bruises on plant tissues. Simply spray the diluted solution on fresh cuts on tree branches after pruning.
It Can Sanitize Seeds
Seeds can carry pathogens like e. coli, salmonella, and listeria. Before starting your seeds, be sure to decontaminate them with one part hydrogen peroxide.
This can kill off any harmful bacteria that the seeds may be harboring.
Soak seeds in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide heated to about 140° F for five minutes. Afterward, rinse off in cool running water for a minute.
It Can Help Seeds Germinate Faster
Sprouting seeds need a lot of oxygen. With the help of hydrogen peroxide, you can supply extra oxygen to the seeds you’re hoping to sprout.
Simply soak the seeds or young seedlings for 30 minutes in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with 2 cups of water. Don’t forget to rinse them before planting.
Alternatively, you can also mix hydrogen peroxide for gardening into the soil or potting mix before sowing seeds.
It Can Keep Garden Tools Bacteria-Free
You can use hydrogen peroxide to keep your gardening tools, pots, seed trays, and containers sterile.
Simply spray surfaces with 6 to 9 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide to avoid introducing pathogens to your plants from your gardening tools.
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It Can Promote Plant Growth
The oxygen content in hydrogen peroxide allows plants to absorb minerals and nutrients from the soil more effectively.
This results in better plant growth and crop yields for vegetable gardens.
To make diluted hydrogen peroxide solution for plants mix together 1 teaspoon 3 percent hydrogen peroxide into a gallon of water. Pour this solution around your plants to promote better absorption.
If you have an aquaponic or hydroponic system, you can also add hydrogen peroxide for an extra supply of oxygen and to prevent root rot.
It Kills Weeds
If you’re struggling with weeds in the garden but you don’t want to use harmful or toxic chemicals, hydrogen peroxide is a great option for you. So if you were wondering is hydrogen peroxide good for plants it is.
To make the perfect hydrogen peroxide mixture, you can mix one ounce of hydrogen peroxide (3%) with one quart of water in a spray bottle (1 pint of water with 4 teaspoons of 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide). Spray any weeds and watch it work.
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FAQ Hydrogen Peroxide In The Garden:
Q: How do I use hydrogen peroxide in my garden?
You can use hydrogen peroxide in the garden by applying a mixture of 1 pint of water with 4 teaspoons of 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide to your affected roots.
You can also use it to kill fungus gnat larvae on the leaves of your infected plants.
You can even sanitize your seeds by soaking seeds in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide heated to about 140° F for five minutes.
Q: How often can you use hydrogen peroxide on plants?
For the answer to how often you can use hydrogen peroxide on plants – you can spray your plants once a week or after it rains.
Q: Does hydrogen peroxide damage roots?
The answer to does hydrogen peroxide damage roots is no.
Hydrogen peroxide actually encourages healthy root growth in your plants’ roots.
It has also been used to treat the spread of root rot and root decay.
Q: Is hydrogen peroxide good for garden?
If you’re debating if hydrogen peroxide is suitable for your garden, the answer to the question is yes.
Not only is it great for treating root rot, but it can also help you fight off weeds.
It can even be used to sanitize your seeds.
Q: What is the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water for plants?
The ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water for plants combines two parts water with one part 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide.
Q: How long do I soak roots in hydrogen peroxide?
When soaking your roots in hydrogen peroxide, wait until the top two inches of surrounding wet soil have dried before watering your plant’s roots again.
Q: Can you sterilize soil with hydrogen peroxide?
When looking for ways to sterilize the soil, you can always use hydrogen peroxide. You can spray the soil with a hydrogen peroxide water mixture.
Q: How do you use hydrogen peroxide as an insecticide?
For how to use hydrogen peroxide as an insecticide, combine two parts of water with one part of 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide and spray your plants once a week.
Q: Does hydrogen peroxide prevent root rot?
When looking for ways to prevent root rot, an effective method is to use a mixture of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration mixed in 1 quart of water once a week to encourage healthy root growth in your plants’ roots or treat the spread of root rot and root decay.
Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many things you have in your home right now that will help you grow healthy plants and a happy garden without breaking the bank.
Have you used hydrogen peroxide in the garden? Tell us your experience in the comments below.
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Kasandra Van Dhyke says
Hi Dian: This is a very helpful article and it may have just saved one of my plants. In both places where you talk about watering plants once a week you say to mix the hp% into one quart of water but you don’t say how much hyd peroxide to use in the quart of water. I want to do this so can you please tell me how much hp% to use. Thanks, Kasandra
Dian says
Kasandra,
Thanks for telling me.
The Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of the post answer that – but, I’ll be sure to go back and add it in to the upper part of the post.
Thanks for alerting me, that’s a great help.
Here’s your answer:
Q: How do I use hydrogen peroxide in my garden?
You can use hydrogen peroxide in the garden by applying a mixture of 1 pint of water with 4 teaspoons of 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide to your affected roots.
I hope that helps!
Thank you again,
Dian