One effective and natural option for general succulent care is to use hydrogen peroxide. Succulents are hardy and low-maintenance plants, but they can still be prone to pests and diseases. Fortunately, there are a few simple measures you can take to keep your succulents healthy and happy.
Jump to:
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It is often used as a natural disinfectant and cleaner due to its ability to kill bacteria and other harmful organisms. In addition, it can help improve the overall health of plants by increasing the oxygen levels in the soil.
You might also like: Why is My Cactus Leaning to the Side? 6 Common Causes and Simple Solutions
How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Benefit Succulents?
It can provide a range of benefits for your succulents, including:
Killing Pests and Diseases
One of the primary benefits of it is its ability to kill pests and diseases that may affect your succulents. By applying a solution of it to the affected area, you can help control and prevent the spread of pests and diseases such as aphids, mites, and fungal infections.
How Hydrogen Peroxide Kills Pests and Diseases
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant that can be used to kill pests and diseases on succulents. It works by breaking down into water and oxygen when it comes into contact with living tissue, disrupting the cellular processes of the pest or disease and effectively killing it.
You might also like: Feng Shui and Cacti: Finding Harmony with the Popular Prickly Plants +3 Mindful Uses
How to use hydrogen peroxide on succulents as a pest control
- Mix a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution directly onto the affected area, making sure to thoroughly coat the pest or diseased tissue.
- Be sure to use caution when applying the solution, as hydrogen peroxide can also harm the healthy tissue of your succulent if applied too heavily or too frequently.
Hydrogen peroxide on succulents can be particularly effective against fungal infections, such as botrytis or powdery mildew, as well as aphids and mites.
However, it is important to note that hydrogen peroxide on succulents should not be used as a standalone treatment for pests and diseases.
You might also like: Drainage Hole at the Bottom of The Pot: Do Succulents Need Them? The Answer Might Completely Shock You!
Improving Soil Quality
Hydrogen peroxide can also help improve the quality of your succulent’s soil.
Stimulates Healthy Root Growth
By increasing the oxygen levels in the soil, it can help stimulate root growth and improve the overall health of your plants.
Stimulates the Growth of Beneficial Microbes
When applied to soil, it breaks down into water and oxygen, which can help stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes and improve the overall health of the soil.
However, it is important to use caution when applying hydrogen peroxide to succulents, as it can be harmful if used in too high of a concentration or applied too frequently.
You might also like: Caring for Succulents While on Vacation (Hopefully to an Amazing Place) 2023
Promoting Growth
Hydrogen peroxide can also help stimulate plant growth by providing an extra boost of oxygen to the roots. This can be especially beneficial for succulents that are struggling or experiencing slow growth.
You might also like: All About Sunburnt Succulents and Valuable Ways Prevent It + 6 Kinds That Can Handle More Sun
How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide with Succulents
Using it with your succulents is easy and can be done in a few simple steps:
- Mix 1 part peroxide with 4 parts water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution onto the affected area of your succulent, or use it as a general disinfectant to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
- Repeat this process as needed, but be sure not to overuse it as it can be harmful to plants in high concentrations.
Only for Supplemental Use
Hydrogen peroxide shouldn’t be used as a primary means of pest control or soil nutrient additive. It lacks a broad-spectrum effectiveness against the diverse range of insects, pathogens, and weeds that can affect plants. Frequent use can also lead to resistance issues.
You might also like: The Fascinating World of Powdery Farina: Understanding 3 Ways the White Powder on Succulent Leaves Protects Them
What are the risks of using hydrogen peroxide on succulents?
Can Cause Burns
Hydrogen peroxide can burn succulents if used at too high a concentration. Always dilute it with water before spraying succulents. A 3% solution mixed 1:1 with water is safe for most uses. Higher concentrations can cause leaf bleaching and burns.
Can Change the pH Balance
Frequent use of hydrogen peroxide could alter a succulent’s pH balance over time.
Although diluted solutions are considered safe short-term, repeated use may impact the plant’s pH. Use only occasionally and in moderation. Repeated additions of even diluted hydrogen peroxide can gradually make the soil more acidic over time. The ideal pH for succulent soil is around pH 6-7.5 for most.
You might also like: Monocarpic Succulent Death Bloom: The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Caring for These Unique Plants and 4 Ways You Might Be Able to Save Yours
It helps reduce decay but too much can have the opposite effect. Spraying before seasonal changes could cause leaves to drop early. Use sporadically.
Hydrogen peroxide could potentially damage new succulent growth like leaves, pups or offsets. New tissue is delicate so hydrogen peroxide should not be sprayed directly on it. Avoid spraying on very new growth.
You might also like: Crassula ovata ‘Jade Plant’ vs Portulacaria afra ‘Elephant Bush’: How to Instantly Tell These 2 Succulents Apart
Pathogens may rebound quickly after treatment. It kills microbes on contact but does not provide residual control. For infections, combine it with other treatments.
It may bleach dark colored leaves or alter leaf pigments over time. Test in an inconspicuous area first, especially on succulents with dark green or red leaves.
You might also like: Echeveria ‘Cubic Frost’ vs Echeveria ‘Topsy Turvy’ and How to Instantly Tell the 2 Apart
There are risks of irritation to skin and damage to other plants. Follow directions carefully, wear gloves and be cautious handling/spraying hydrogen peroxide.
While hydrogen peroxide benefits succulents, improper use poses risks. Dilute as directed, avoid new growth, don’t over-spray, and use normal safety precautions. Used sparingly, it can manage succulents but potential risks exist. With moderate and occasional use, the benefits of reduced disease and longer shelf life can be achieved while minimizing harm. But extra caution is advised, especially for high-value or rare succulents.
You might also like: Sempervivum vs Aeonium: What’s The Difference Between These 2 Gorgeous Species?
How often should I apply hydrogen peroxide to my succulents?
It depends on several things just like most succulent care issues.
If your succulents are looking sickly or you notice diseases and pests chewing away, you’ll want to use hydrogen peroxide pretty frequently, maybe once a week or every other week.
Keep at it until the problems clear up. Then once your succulents recover, you can stretch out the time between treatments.
You might also like: Improve Air Quality With These 5 Succulents
Indoor Applications
If your indoor environment seems overly humid with not much air movement, fungi and molds love to party in there! In those conditions, I’d recommend sanitizing your succulents with hydrogen peroxide every 3 to 4 weeks.
Your succulents will appreciate the fresh start. If on the other hand you’ve got good airflow and lower, drier humidity, a once a month or every 6 week treatment schedule should work fine. Err on the side of fewer applications.
May Bleach Leaves
Some succulents are just super sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and may start fading or bleaching from too frequent use.
If you’ve got succulents with deep, vibrant colors, ease into the hydrogen peroxide use slowly.
Maybe start with once a month and see how they react, especially on newer leaves. It’s best to do a test in an inconspicuous spot first before unleashing it on the whole plant.
You might also like: Graptopetalum amethystinum ‘Lavender Pebbles’ and Pachyphytum oviferum ‘Moonstones’: A Guide to Instantly Identify These 2 Unique Succulent Species
How Much to Dilute
The strength of your hydrogen peroxide solution also impacts how often you can use it.
A more diluted solution, like 1 part peroxide to 4 parts water (0.25% solution) is gentler and safer for repeated use. Stronger solutions should only beoccused occasionally.
Disinfection
If you’re primarily using the hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds, leaf damage or cleanup surface messes, an application once a month or every 4 to 6 weeks is plenty.
Preventative Use
For general sanitation and preventative use, aim for every 3 to 4 weeks in normal conditions.
You might also like: The ONE Simple Thing Succulents Need to Thrive and 5 Reasons Why Wind is It
As a rule of thumb, I wouldn’t over-treat your succulents with hydrogen peroxide.
Start on the longer end of the recommendation, maybe 6 weeks between uses, and adjust up or down from there based on how your succulents react and any problems you notice.
But go slowly, especially with darker-leaved succulents.
Watch for signs of burn or other damage. If done properly, hydrogen peroxide can benefit your succulents without harm. But when in doubt, it’s better to under-treat than over-treat with this.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural and effective way to keep your succulents healthy and free from pests and diseases. By incorporating it into your plant care routine, you can help ensure that your succulents have the best chance of thriving.
You might also like: Can Succulents Survive in the Rain? A Look at the Factors to Consider to Keep Your Babies From Natural Overwatering + 5 Ways to Improve Drainage
Where to Buy Succulents Online
