How To Get Rid Of Mold On Houseplant Soil – 5 Effective Methods

by John Griffith Jan 17, 2023 @ 15:12

Does this situation seem familiar? You go to check your beautiful plant or to water it and to your surprise you find a layer of mold on the soil. While this can cause you quite the fright or frustration, there is no need to panic. If your houseplant is suffering from a case of moldy soil, we will help you treat it. While it may be shocking to see, some mold on your soil is usually harmless, but can indicate an issue with how you are caring for it. On the bright side, it is a quick fix. So, let’s see how to get rid of mold on houseplant soil with a few simple and effective methods.

If your houseplant is suffering from a case of moldy soil, we will help you treat it

Some mold on your soil is usually harmless

In this article

How To Get Rid Of Mold On Houseplant Soil
Is Mold In Plant Soil Harmful?
How To Prevent Moldy Soil
Related Articles

How To Get Rid Of Mold On Houseplant Soil

While the unsightly mold can cause you some unhappiness, it is one of the lest painful and tedious things plant owners have to deal with. Mold usually occurs when the soil is constantly being kept moist. So, if you water your plant too often and keep it in a place with poor air circulation, mold is pretty much inevitable. While mold in itself isn’t harmful to the plant, overtime it can lead to root rot, so it’s best dealt with on time. Here is how to remove mold from soil.

Mold usually occurs when the soil is constantly being kept moist

While mold in itself isn’t harmful to the plant, overtime it can lead to root rot

#Scoop Out

Well, this method only works if the mold is confined to a small area of the plant soil. But if this is the case for you, and you have just a tiny spot of mold, you can just scoop out the moldy soil and throw it away. Then just top up your plant’s pot with some fresh, dry soil and you are ready. This option is a great short-term solution if you don’t get mold growth frequently.

If you have just a tiny spot of mold, you can just scoop out the moldy soil

#Repot

If the mold has spread over most of your plant’s soil, or you think that the soil itself is contaminated with mold spores, then it’s best to repot the whole plant. Once you’ve got the plant out of the moldy soil, try to remove as much of the soil as possible from the roots without damaging them. Then put the plant in new, sterile soil (and a clean pot) and throw away the moldy one.

Try to remove as much of the soil as possible from the roots once it’s out of the pot

#Direct Sunlight

Since mold loves damp soil, you must make sure that your houseplants aren’t getting too wet on the regular. But even if you do once in a while, this is a great way to ensure the soil stays dry, and the mold cannot thrive. Just place your plant outside in the sun, or in a sunny spot (if it can handle direct sunlight). Another way to do this is by removing the plant from the pot and spread the soil out in a brightly lit area.

You must make sure that your houseplants aren’t getting too wet on the regular

#Fungicide Spray

If you are dealing with mold in a large plant that is in a heavy potting container, repotting may not be an option. When that is the case here is what you should do. You can start to apply some houseplant fungicide to the soil in order to deal with the mold problem. Such fungicide sprays can be found in pretty much all garden centers, greenhouses, online, or even at some supermarkets. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply it and start the treatment.

You can start to apply some houseplant fungicide to the soil in order to deal with the problem

#Natural Antifungals

If you like to go the natural route of plant care, then you can always go for natural antifungals. You will be surprised to hear that there are some ingredients hidden in your kitchen cupboard that can help you fight off the mold. This includes cinnamon, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar. You can sprinkle cinnamon on the plant’s soil once a week until the mold is no more. A mix of baking soda, a gallon of water, and a teaspoon of insecticidal soap also makes a great antifungal spray. Finally, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a gallon of water can also make a great spray to use once a week.

If you like to go the natural route of plant care, then you can always go for natural antifungals

Is Mold In Plant Soil Harmful?

The short answer: not necessarily. While moldy soil isn’t something to panic about, it also isn’t something that should be ignored. Mold is a sign that your plant’s soil is nice and rich with organism. However, too much mold can start competing with your plant for its soil’s nutrients which can hinder your plant’s growth or cause root rot. Mold is a good sign that things need to be changed up in the environment.

While moldy soil isn’t something to panic about, it also isn’t something that should be ignored

How To Prevent Moldy Soil

Once you’ve gotten rid of the mold, it’s time to make sure it won’t happen again. On the bright side, there are a few ways you can prevent mold from occurring on your plant’s soil:

Once you’ve gotten rid of the mold, it’s time to make sure it won’t happen again

Don’t overwater: It’s important to make sure you don’t over water your plant, as excess moisture is exactly what causes mold.
Enough light and air: Your plant needs plenty of light, so the soil can dry out. It also requires good air circulation, so make sure to open up the window from time to time.
Soil mixture and pot choice: Plants need to have proper drainage, so excess moisture can escape. To achieve that you need a well-drainage soil mixture and the right type of pot (with drainage holes)

It’s important to make sure you don’t over water your plant

These were the most effective methods when it comes to how to get rid of mold on houseplant soil. We hope you found this article useful. Now you won’t have to worry about your beautiful plants, as you know how to deal with mold easily.

Now you won’t have to worry about your beautiful plants

Sources:

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.