How Do I Get Rid of the Mold on My Plant Soil? Some gardeners swear by cinnamon as a natural anti-fungal. Simply wipe off the mold and sprinkle the spot with some cinnamon from your spice drawer. If cinnamon doesn't work, Gaumond says to try a houseplant fungicide spray or a homemade baking soda and water mixture.
Should I throw away moldy potting soil? You don't need to throw away moldy potting soil but it is an option. First, try removing the mold and letting the soil dry out slightly. You can also add some soil amendments like perlite and sand to improve drainage which will help to avoid moldy conditions in the future.
Placing your plant in direct sunlight will eliminate the mold growing on the soil surface, even if it is just for a day or two. Consider making this a regular part of your watering routine if it suits your plant's care requirements, especially for the winter months.
It should be noted that vinegar cannot kill every type of mold, according to a study from 2015. It is highly effective at getting rid of Penicillium chrysogenum, which is most commonly found in damp areas, but not Aspergillus fumigatus, which is typically found in plant matter and soil.
Household vinegar is a chemical (acetic acid) and not 'natural' or harmless. It is non-selective, meaning it burns everything it comes into contact with: plants (perennial or annual, weeds or not), and living things from animals to microorganisms in the soil.
Nobody likes mould. If you've spotted it – a fine, white dust on your plant's soil – you may be concerned. Don't be. It's completely normal, usually harmless to your plant and very easy to get rid of.
Thankfully, most common plant molds aren't dangerous to humans. But they are unsightly, and the mold spores can become airborne and irritate allergies.
Mold on plant soil can potentially be harmful to people if the mold is toxic or if it causes allergic reactions. Some types of mold can produce toxins called mycotoxins, which can cause illness or even death in humans if ingested or inhaled.
Cinnamon contains a natural and very effective fungicide which will kill any remaining Fungus. Be sure to allow the top soil to properly dry out before watering again, and preferably only water from below eg. directly to the reservoir of a self watering planter.
The white mold fungus forms hard, black, resting structures called sclerotia. These structures are about the size of a broken pencil tip. Sclerotia allow the fungus to survive in the soil and plant debris for 5 or more years.
Poor Drainage/Over-Watering
The same could be said for poor drainage in your soil. Fungi generate spores which float on any small air current and land nearby (for the most part). However, if the environment is not comfortable for them - lacking sufficient moisture - they will not propagate and develop into mold.
Yes, laboratory studies show that cinnamon can act as a fungicide in certain conditions. It's not the most effective fungicide but it has been repeatedly demonstrated that it can kill fungi.
The fuzzy growth of white mold on the soil of your plants is usually a harmless growth of a saprophytic fungus. A saprophyte is an organism that gets its nutrients from decaying organic matter. Mushrooms are a great example.
For Leaf Mold
Once you have sufficiently moistened your leaves, sprinkle a light layer of ground cinnamon over them and let it dry for up to one week. During this time, the cinnamon absorbs moisture and provides a protective barrier against mold.
In some cases, organic fertilizers can lead to excess mold and fungi growth because they live on materials that are not totally decomposed present in the fertilizer.
The spores that produce mold, or fungi, are an under-appreciated partner in the garden. For example, they are present, to some degree, in every common organic gardening mix, from peat moss to bark. However, you do not see them until spores produce fruiting bodies (like mold)- only when certain conditions are met.
Did you know that a build-up of dirt on the leaves of your plants can affect growth and photosynthesis? Try mixing a small amount of ACV with water and gently applying it to the leaves with a soft cloth. Not only will this clean the leaves but the smell of the ACV is likely to prevent pests from eating them.
White Molds - The other mold commonly found in homes, white mold is typically found growing on the soil of your plants or on porous, paper, pulp or wood-based surfaces. It is probably a harmless saprophytic fungus, an organism that feeds on organic matter to help break it down.
As long as used potting soil still looks fairly fluffy and doesn't emit a rotten odor, gardeners should be able to use it again with good results. However, if the plants formerly grown in the potting soil struggled with disease or insect problems, it's probably best to discard the mix and start fresh next season.
Start by scraping away the top-most layer of 'crusty' soil, leaves, pine needles, or whatever else your containers have collected over the off-season. Give the soil beneath a quick turn with a cultivator. If the soil level has dropped, mix in potting soil or garden mix to fill the planter back up.
Yes, garden soil can go bad! You can expect an opened package of potting mix to deteriorate in nutrients levels in 6 months. You might be hunting the soil packet for an expiration date, and you most likely won't find one.