How to Effectively Remove Mold from Potting Soil
Mold growth on potting soil may seem harmless, but for gardeners, it’s often an unwelcome sight. Whether it’s on the surface of your indoor potted plants or in the soil, mold can be frustrating. Luckily, getting rid of mold from potting soil doesn’t require a complex approach, and preventing future infestations is straightforward as well. Here’s how you can effectively remove mold and keep your indoor plants healthy.
Why Does Mold Grow on Potting Soil?
Mold thrives in moist, damp environments—just like the conditions we often create for our houseplants. If you’ve been overwatering your plants or your pots don’t drain well, you’re setting the perfect stage for mold to develop. Commonly white and fuzzy, mold such as Saprophytic Fungus feeds on decaying organic matter in the soil. While it’s not usually harmful to your plants, mold is a sign that something needs to be adjusted in your plant care routine.
Here’s why mold pops up in your pots:
- Overwatering: When you water your plants too much, it creates a damp environment that mold loves.
- Poor Drainage: If your pot doesn’t have enough drainage, the excess moisture can lead to mold.
- Contaminated Soil: Sometimes, soil with existing mold spores is the culprit.
- Excess Moisture: Mold feeds on decaying plant matter, so anything that stays damp for too long becomes a mold magnet.
How to Remove Mold from Potted Plants: 4 Easy Methods
Now, let’s talk about how to get rid of that annoying mold! These methods are all simple and effective:
Repot the Plant
One of the most effective ways to get rid of mold is to repot the plant. Start by removing the plant gently from its pot and discarding the old soil. Make sure to throw away the moldy soil to avoid spreading spores to the fresh soil. Clean the pot thoroughly before reusing it.
To do this, soak the pot in a solution of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach for about 10 minutes. After that, rinse it well with warm water and dish soap, then dry it completely. Before placing the plant back in the pot, rinse the roots and wipe any remaining mold off the leaves. If there are any spores left, they could cause a reoccurrence of the mold. As a final step, give your plant a light spray of a mild fungicide to keep mold from coming back.
Expose the Plant to Sunlight
Sunlight is nature’s mold killer! The ultraviolet rays in direct sunlight can destroy the mold spores, so it’s a great way to tackle surface mold. Simply place the plant in a sunny spot, and let the sunshine work its magic. This is especially helpful if the mold is just on the surface of the soil.
If your plant is sensitive to direct sunlight, try removing it and spreading the affected soil out in the sun. This will dry out the mold without harming your plant. For an added boost, sprinkle some baking soda on the soil. The baking soda absorbs excess moisture and helps prevent mold from coming back.
More Information to Read: Does UV Light Kill mold
Apply a Fungicide
Fungicides can help clear up mold, and there are both natural and chemical options to choose from. One effective natural option is potassium bicarbonate mixed with water. It helps to stop white mold spores from growing. If you prefer a quicker solution, you can also use a chemical fungicide.
Before applying fungicide, remove the top layer of moldy soil and wipe down the plant’s leaves with a damp cloth to remove any visible mold. Once your plant looks mold-free, spray a generous amount of fungicide on the plant and the top layer of soil.
Use Natural Anti-Fungal Remedies
If you’re looking for a more natural solution, you can use ingredients like ground cinnamon, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar. These simple kitchen items work as natural anti-fungals to keep mold at bay. Just sprinkle a little cinnamon or baking soda on the soil, or dilute apple cider vinegar with water and apply it to the affected area. These remedies are gentle and effective, allowing your plant to thrive without the need for harsh chemicals.
Mold Removal Services
Excess moisture triggers mold infestations rapidly. When mold colonies are rampant in your home or business, the services of a reputable mold remediation company are necessary. These professionals provide comprehensive mold remediation services and keep offensive spores from spreading.
Since the most effective way to eliminate mold is to locate and repair the moisture source, experienced technicians perform this as an initial step. They then contain airborne mold spores to prevent contamination to other areas of the property.
Using industry-approved cleaning solutions and best practices, mold removal specialists thoroughly clean up the mold. As a final step in the reliable and proven mold remediation process, skilled crews repair or replace surfaces that are damaged by mold growth.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
