Succulents are having a major moment right now With their sculptural shapes and low maintenance care, it’s no wonder these trendy plants are popping up everywhere from living rooms to office spaces But even hardy succulents can fall prey to sap-sucking insects and fungi that leave them looking less than photo-ready. Before you reach for harsh chemical pesticides, try making your own natural bug spray tailored to protect succulents using common household ingredients.
Why Make Homemade Bug Spray for Your Succulents?
Making your own spray lets you stay away from dangerous chemicals that could hurt pets, kids, or the environment. Commercial pesticides also risk burning delicate succulent tissues. By making your own natural bug spray, you can make sure that the ingredients are safe for plants and won’t hurt them. It doesn’t cost much, takes little time to make, and you can choose exactly what goes into it.
Sprays you make at home are gentle enough to use regularly to keep pests away. And they can be used liberally without worrying about not covering all the surfaces of the plants.
How to Make This Simple Succulent Bug Spray
This gentle spray contains just 3 basic ingredients you likely have on hand:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dish soap
- 1 cup water
Olive oil kills soft-bodied bugs like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites by covering them and suffocating them so they can’t breathe. The dish soap works better because it breaks down the waxy coverings on these pests. The solution gets to the plant with the help of water.
What You’ll Need:
- Spray bottle, preferably with a fine mist setting
- Measuring spoons
- Funnel (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to your empty spray bottle.
- Follow with 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap like Castile soap.
- Top up with 1 cup of water.
- Tighten the cap and shake vigorously to emulsify and mix the ingredients.
- Mist succulent leaves, stems and soil thoroughly, coating all surfaces. Pay extra attention to the undersides of leaves and the bases of plants where pests like to hide.
- Let sit for 30-60 minutes before wiping excess from succulent leaves to avoid residue buildup.
- Repeat application every 1-2 weeks to deter recurring pests. Shake before each use.
Tips for Using Homemade Bug Spray on Succulents
- Test on a small area first to ensure the oil won’t burn your variety of succulents.
- Avoid spraying in direct hot sun which can increase burning risks.
- Consider adding a few drops of lavender, peppermint or neem oil for extra insect-repelling power.
- Spray more frequently if you notice pests after the first application to eliminate eggs/larvae.
- Repot badly infested plants in fresh sterile soil to remove all life stages.
- Discard badly damaged leaves in sealed bags, don’t compost.
When applied correctly, this simple homemade bug spray should suffocate and deter those pesky insects attacking your succulents. Both you and your plants can enjoy pest-free beauty without resorting to harsh chemicals. Never hesitate to promptly treat infestations before they escalate and cause major damage. A few basic ingredients are all you need to craft an effective pest control solution right in your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Controlling Pests on Succulents
What is a natural pest control for succulents?
If water doesn’t eliminate pests, or you’re not willing to repot the plant, apply rubbing alcohol to infested areas. Regular 70% isopropyl alcohol will kill insects immediately, but won’t harm succulents.
Can you spray rubbing alcohol directly on succulents?
Yes, a fine mist of rubbing alcohol will kill bugs right away and won’t hurt the leaves of plants. Succulents like environments with good sunlight and airflow.
What should I avoid spraying my succulents with?
Don’t use a spray bottle to mist succulents with water—this can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves. Instead, water the soil directly until it runs out the drainage holes.
How often should I apply homemade bug spray?
Apply homemade bug spray every 1-2 weeks to deter recurring pests. Mist all surfaces liberally, especially the undersides of leaves and base of plants where insects hide.
What if I see bugs after the first treatment?
If you notice pests after the initial application, spray more frequently to eliminate eggs and larvae. Consider repotting badly infested plants in fresh sterile soil.
Should I compost discarded succulent leaves?
No, seal and discard any badly damaged leaves in bags to remove pests from your environment. Don’t add infested plant material to compost.
With a simple homemade bug spray, you can keep your succulents looking their best without resorting to harsh pesticides. Just mix up a plant-safe solution with a few inexpensive ingredients from your pantry for an effective, non-toxic pest control option.
9 homemade bug spray recipes
Before you start making just any bug spray, there are two things to first consider.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, gardening expert and CEO of Lawn Love explains: Some homemade bug sprays are better for repelling bugs, while others are better at directly killing them. For example, garlic spray can be great for repelling bugs because of its intense odor. Bugs will steer clear, but if they are actually sprayed by it, they won’t actually die. On the other hand, oil spray can be excellent at actually killing bugs. Its thick consistency smothers them on the spot.
In addition to working out whether you want to create a pesticide or pest repellent before you create your bug spray, you must determine which kind of bug you would like to target and what naturally kills or deters them. For instance, citronella oil is a scent that will deter mosquitoes, peppermint oil is effective against ants and spiders, while neem oil mixed with water can make the perfect DIY aphid spray.
Keeping these things in mind will help you pick the best spray for your pest problem from the list below.
Neem oil bug spray (Image credit: Getty Images / mikroman6)
Insecticides made from neem oil are becoming more popular as a way to get rid of everything from bugs to fungi.
Neem oil can be used to make your own bug spray. Just mix one to two tablespoons of pure, cold-pressed neem oil from Walmart with one gallon of water. You can also add one to two teaspoons of dish soap to the mix to help the neem oil adhere to the plants. Spray directly onto affected plants, covering all surfaces, including the undersides of leaves.
Alternatively, you can use neem oil as a root soak to treat root rot. Mix one gallon of water with two tablespoons of neem oil and one teaspoon of pure Castile liquid soap (to help the neem oil adhere). Apply a small amount as a test and wait 24 hours. If all is well, then apply two or three cups to the soil around the plant, then continue the treatment as a replacement for the watering cycle. Apply every one to two weeks as needed.
A benefit of using neem oil over other pesticides is it doesnt harm birds, pets, or beneficial insects. This is because neem oil gets absorbed into the plant’s tissue rather than just sitting on the surface and so only affects any insects that ingest the plant. Neem Oil Spray for Plants
This neem oil kit comes with a spray bottle ready for use and a refill bottle. In total, this kit makes 320 Fl oz of neem oil.
Tony ONeill is a gardening guru, always ready to help anyone develop a green thumb. Through his website, Simplify Gardening, and his books on composting and vegetable gardening, he aims to demystify the art of growing everything from plants to produce.