Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), occurs naturally in rainwater and acts as nature's cleanser. It oxygenates soil and bodies of water, is non-toxic and safe to use around food, people and animals. Adding it when watering your indoor plants, mimics what Mother Nature does for outdoor plants every time it rains. Hydrogen Peroxide is distilled water with an extra atom of oxygen. H2O means 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen atom. The extra 2 in H2O2 means 2 hydrogens and 2 oxygen atoms, called hydrogen peroxide.
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In human health, hydrogen peroxide has been used at different strengths for everything from wound care to toothpaste and cleaning.
For plants, hydrogen peroxide is used by plant hobbyists and growers to prevent and treat a range of nasties, while promoting better health, restoring a healthier, oxygen-rich balance for our indoor plants to thrive in. That includes a long list from treating root rot to killing fungus gnats and more (all coming up below).
And for around the home, hydrogen peroxide has become a popular alternative to chemical-based cleaners. Used for everyday cleaning of surfaces including cleaning fruits and vegetables, to tough jobs such as disinfecting kitchen surfaces, killing salmonella on cooking surfaces, to cleaning up pet mess and removing stains.
The particular brand I use (called Forsana), has also been tested to kill 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, mould and fungi including waterborne and foodborne diseases. Proven effective against coronaviruses such as SARS and Covid, E. coli, Listeria, Norovirus and Salmonella.
It's also safe for use around pets and kids. Asthma and allergy friendly. Completely safe for the environment. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into pure oxygen and water. Except if you have sensitive skin (in which case gloves are recommended), no special safety requirements are needed when using the standard 3% hydrogen peroxide.
In New Zealand the brand I use is Forsana Plant Care Plus Hydrogen Peroxide > but for my international plant friends, look for 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide like Essential Oxygen 3% available on Amazon. Just watch out for additives (not all hydrogen peroxide is plant-safe).
The most common uses of hydrogen peroxide for plants include:
In general, hydrogen peroxide works by increasing oxygen, creating an environment that harmful anaerobic bacteria, mould, fungi and diseases dislike, but roots love, supporting healthier plants and naturally repelling pests and insects.
The dose depends on what you need to promote or prevent. Find the issue you need help with below to check the dose before use. Please note the rates below are based on using Forsana Plant Care Plus which is the standard 3% hydrogen peroxide normally used for plants. If you're using a different dilution rate (such as 6%) you need to adjust the ratios below. For example, using 6% you need to either DOUBLE the water OR use HALF the hydrogen peroxide.
Please note some leaves are more sensitive to foliar sprays than others, including Peace Lily and Orchids. Take the same precautions as any treatment applied to leaves. Either avoid spraying on plants with sensitive leaves, or always do a test spray on a couple of leaves at least 2 days before treating the rest of the plant when using any brand of hydrogen peroxide as a foliar or leaf spray.
If caught in time, there is hope. H202 kills the bacteria and fungi in the soil responsible for root rot, and restores oxygen to help remaining roots recover faster. Remove the substrate and cut off the infected roots first.
Then using equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water, spray the roots thoroughly before potting up. Avoid leaves (pouring at this strength on leaves can burn them). If the plant is known to have sensitive roots, you can rinse or spray with plain water before potting up.
If is the plant has been badly infected and looks to be dying, you can try a hydrogen peroxide root soak instead. Unpot and remove the substrate. Cut off any dead or dying roots. Soak the remaining roots in 2 tbsp (30ml) hydrogen peroxide 3% mixed with 1 litre water for 6 hours. Replant into sterile potting mix and a clean pot. You can use hydrogen peroxide to sterilise the new soil and pot if needed (coming up below)
Depending on where the pest feeds, either drench the soil or mist-spray the foliage (using a very fine mist sprayer like the Mister 360 is recommended to increase coverage into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, and increase contact with more pests).
For fungus gnat larvae and pests that live and feed in potting mix: Wait until top layer of potting mix is dry and the plant needs watering. Mix a 1 to 4 part ratio of 3% hydrogen peroxide to water (eg: 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and 4 cups water). Then either spray or saturate soil by bottom or top watering as normal.
Depending on the insect, adults may continue to lay eggs, so best used in conjunction with treatment such as sticky traps to kill adults as well (or these sticky traps available here on Amazon if you're not in New Zealand). For Fungus Gnats, the larvae tend to concentrate in the top 5cms of the soil, so you can simply regularly spray the top layer instead of fully watering.
When used as a foliar / leaf spray for pests that feed or concentrate on foliage: Use a 1/2 cup (125ml) of hydrogen peroxide 3% per 1 litre water, such as Forsana Plant Care Plus
When applying as a spray: Spray only (do not pour on leaves). Let air dry out of direct sunlight. Always spray-test one or two leaves the first time, especially for sensitive / thinner-leafed plants, at least 2 days before treating the rest of the plant, to check for a reaction.
Use the general maintenance dilution rate of 4 tbsp (60mls) hydrogen peroxide 3% per 1 litre water. Mist leaves or water onto soil every second watering to oxygenate roots, boost growth and enhance nutrient absorption.
Using 3% hydrogen peroxide like Forsana, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide with water. Water into soil or mist infected areas to kill bacteria and fungi. If the plant is sensitive or you are unsure, treat a test area first at least 2 days before treating the rest of the plant to check for a reaction.
Using 3% hydrogen peroxide, mix 1 tbsp (15ml) hydrogen peroxide with 250mls of water. Soak seeds for 1 to 4 hours (check the plant type to determine how long is best), then plant.
Saturate the soil with 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide 3% per 1 litre water. Put wet soil in a watertight container and leave overnight before planting. This kills pathogens such as fungi and bacteria including insect eggs and nematodes (roundworms).
Using 3% hydrogen peroxide, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Pour into pots and wipe the sides. You can also soak tools in the mixture to prevent the spread of disease such as root rot.
For more Hydrogen Peroxide Plantinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Using 3% hydrogen peroxide, mix 1 tbsp (15ml) hydrogen peroxide per 1 litre water. Add directly to the water system to help prevent algae and root rot. Also enhances nutrient absorption.
Harmful bacteria thrive in water with low oxygen content. Used in hydroponics, hydrogen peroxide boosts oxygen and helps combat low oxygen found in warm, room temperature water.
If you've had an outbreak of pathogens like a fungal or bacterial disease, use undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray or wipe down the surfaces. If you have sensitive skin wear gloves when using undiluted.
Soak produce for 20 minutes in a mixture of 1 cup hydrogen peroxide 3% per 5 litres of water. Rinse before eating.
Using 3% hydrogen peroxide, mix 1 cup (150ml) hydrogen peroxide per 1 litre water. Spray onto compost pile or inside kitchen compost bin. Hydrogen peroxide helps speed up decomposition while also preventing unpleasant odours.
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide 3% to 4 parts water. Fill your humidifier and leave it to soak for 60 minutes. Rinse out, and leave to air dry before using again or before storage.
From me here at Love That Leaf :) I sell Forsana Plant Care Plus Hydrogen Peroxide > (if you're looking for the old Oxygen Plus by Good Clean Health Co, it's been rebranded Forsana (same company making it), and the formula's been improved).
You may have heard that hydrogen peroxide for plants in your garden is helpful. It isn’t a secret that hydrogen peroxide has a plethora of uses around the home from cleaning the toilet to disinfecting sponges.
So many in fact that one begins to doubt the veracity of these claims. So is it true? Can you use hydrogen peroxide on plants? Will hydrogen peroxide kill plants? There’s a lot to unpack here so keep reading to find out if hydrogen peroxide for the garden is beneficial or detrimental.
Hydrogen peroxide, often shortened to simply “peroxide” is a disinfectant, bleaching agent and oxidizer that is a pale blue liquid in its pure form and slightly thicker than water. It is diluted for sale to consumers and slightly less so for industrial use.
Its first commercial use was to bleach hats in the ’s. Since then it has moved into the realm of everything from cleaning agents to tooth whiteners to rocket propellants.
In , Dro Benjamin Ward Richardson declared that hydrogen peroxide could be used to eliminate odor, effectively labeling it a disinfectant. For years it has been marketed as a go-to disinfectant for minor wounds. That idea is no longer popular since peroxide has been shown to do more harm than good.
Whether hydrogen peroxide is useful and safe for plant life depends on the claim. For instance, there is a claim that hydrogen peroxide can cure plant diseases, however, that may be too broad. Here are two hacks to consider if you’re thinking about using peroxide in the garden.
1. Peroxide does sterilize surfaces and has been shown to reduce bacteria as well as some fungi. However, hydrogen peroxide works by immediately interacting with other compounds so quickly that it’s impossible for the disinfectant to move through plant tissues where a pathogen resides. So, this particular hack would be false. In fact, excess use of hydrogen peroxide on a plant may actually make it worse by drying the surface of the plant and killing off its beneficial microbes.
2. Conversely, there is a claim that hydrogen peroxide can speed germination. True or false? It’s actually true, although it’s not always necessary. Hydrogen peroxide is said to increase oxygen, which then facilitates sprouting. Instructions say the seed should be soaked in a 3% or less solution for 30 minutes. But, at least one study has been done to prove or disprove this claim and there were several findings. It does not work on every type of seed, and the concentration of peroxide is key; too much, and the seed becomes unviable.
Seeds produce peroxide on their own so there isn’t a need to provide it. How, why, and on what species it works still remain to be studied. So, while it does work sometimes, there are too many variables and really no need.
The first hydrogen peroxide pesticide for use as a disinfectant on plants including fruits and vegetables crops was registered in and the EPA approved the registry. By September , six pesticide products containing hydrogen peroxide were available for use.
The approval was based on assessing risks to the environment and to humans. It was decided the risk was nominal, and the only recommendations were to tell users not to spray around active bee populations and to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling the product.
With all that in mind, the EPA says that hydrogen peroxide in low doses is indeed safe for plants. The caveat is of course, in the concentration. Too much can damage plants. Also, many of the hacks flying around are not necessary and there have been no studies to support or refute their veracity.
There are so many recommended ways to use hydrogen peroxide in the garden. Some of the claims are that it aerates the garden, can be used as a fertilizer, cures root rot and fungal diseases, disinfects soil, disinfects greenhouse and garden equipment, encourages root growth, kills weeds, repels insects, sanitizes seeds and speeds germination, and treats water. Let’s explore these uses:
1. Some of these are definitely true. Hydrogen peroxide does sanitize garden tools and greenhouse equipment. However, commercial greenhouses don’t use it. Instead, they use hydrogen peroxide mixed with peroxyacetic acid because it works better. At home, many gardeners use rubbing alcohol to kill any pathogens on tools. And then, some are resoundingly false.
2. Peroxide removes harmful chemicals or pesticides found in tap water, so irrigation water should be treated prior to use. Hopefully, there are no pesticides in the tap’s drinking water.
There is likely chlorine in your drinking water. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with chlorine in water if the pH is above 7. This reaction becomes hydrochloric acid; corrosive to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes and presumably, not so great for plant tissue. At any rate, the amount of chlorine in your drinking water is negligible and not harmful to plants, so don’t add hydrogen peroxide. You don’t need to.
At the end of the day, the use of hydrogen peroxide has not been extensively studied and, in fact, in some cases, it hasn’t been looked into at all. In all of the above claims there is either no reason to add hydrogen peroxide and/or not enough evidence of its benefit or detriment to plants.
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