How to Use Cinnamon to Defeat Soil Fungus –

Cinnamon is so much more than a delicious spice to add to pies (and coffee- trust me and try it if you haven’t!). It also is an incredible tool for fighting off fungal problems that are pestering your house plants and/or garden. And below we are going to first chat about why and how cinnamon helps and then we will get into the steps for actually using cinnamon to defeat soil fungus.

So let’s get into it and start with the big question- why in the world does cinnamon kill off fungus?

Why Cinnamon?

Cinnamon, Korra, Cinnamon?? Well, aside from making your garden smell like grandma’s kitchen, cinnamon contains powerful antifungal compounds that can combat common fungal infections in soil, such as damping-off disease, which often attacks seedlings. It’s a natural and just as importantly it is a cost-effective method, saving you a trip to the garden center and keeping those harsh chemical fungicides at bay.

Now let’s get into the actual steps to use the cinnamon to help save your plants-

How to Use Cinnamon to Defeat Soil Fungus

Guide to using cinnamon to fight nasty soil fungus:

1. Identify the Problem: First things first guys- before you start sprinkling cinnamon like a chef, make sure what you’re dealing with is actually and definitely a fungal issue. Symptoms of soil fungus include white mold, unusual spots on leaves, stunted growth (and usually zero), and if seedlings collapsing suddenly.

Usually the white mold on top though is the biggest sign that fungus is plaguing your soil which will then harm and could eventually kill your gorgeous plants!

2. The Cinnamon Dusting Method: For plants already showing signs of fungal distress, take a pinch (or about 1/2 tbsp) of cinnamon powder and sprinkle it directly onto the soil around the base of the plant. Cinnamon’s antifungal properties will get to work by destroying the fungus and preventing it from spreading further.

Be generous, but don’t overdo it a light dusting will suffice, and drowning it in cinnamon won’t help any more and could potentially cause some growth issues as well.

3. Cinnamon Water for Prevention: To prevent fungal diseases before they start, you can make a cinnamon water spray!

Simply add one teaspoon of cinnamon to two cups of water and let it steep overnight. Or for at least 8 hours. Then you will need to strain it through a fine cloth (think cheese cloth texture) or a coffee filter to remove any large particles. Pour this cinnamon infused water into a spray bottle and then spray it directly onto the soil and the plants. Don’t be afraid to spray the leaves- they can get fungus too that it’ll help with and won’t harm the plants if it isn’t necessary. It’s particularly useful for new seedlings, giving them a fighting chance to grow up strong and healthy.

4. Treat Plant Wounds: Alright guys it’s time for a little house plant first aid! If you accidentally clip a plant too close or it suffers some other injury (for instance- my Roomba vacuum knocked over a pothos of mine and caused a bunch of rips in the leaves and stems), dabbing a bit of cinnamon powder on the wound can help prevent fungal infections from taking hold.

5. Refresh Potting Soil: If you’re getting your pots ready for new plants, mix a small handful of cinnamon into the potting soil. It’ll sanitize the soil and ward off any lurking spores right from the get-go.

6. Be honest about the problem: Remember that while cinnamon is great for treating and preventing fungal problems, it’s not a magical cure-all (unfortunately- but wouldn’t that be nice). If your plant is severely affected, or if the disease has spread extensively, cinnamon might not be enough to save your struggling plant friend.

And that is all for now!

Using cinnamon to combat soil fungus is a bit like being a garden doctor, except your medicine cabinet is your spice rack lol! I find it so fun to discover little ways that I can help my plants thrive while also not spending an arm and a leg to achieve that.

This method is easy, economical, and environmentally friendly, making it a perfect first line of defense for the casual gardener looking to keep their plants healthy and their garden thriving. So next time you’re baking or brewing, maybe set a little cinnamon aside for your leafy friends, and guys, they’ll thank you for it.

Talk Plant To Me

If you enjoyed this article on How to Use Cinnamon to Defeat Soil Fungus then you probably (hopefully!) will enjoy and find these articles helpful as well: