Even with its strong smell, cinnamon will not cause any harm to the plants. In fact, not only will it not injure plants, its antibacterial qualities can also help to prevent mold or mildew from appearing on the soil surface as well, further protecting the plants.
Just like using coffee grounds as a fertilizer, the best part of using cinnamon to boost plant health is that it's completely safe and non-toxic. 'Unlike chemical pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers, cinnamon won't harm beneficial insects or contaminate your soil and water supply,' Richa notes.
Alongside its strong aroma, expert Jonny Livingston from Gardeners Dream adds that this spice works as a fungicide to destroy the fungus that larvae feed on in the soil. The trick is simple. You sprinkle cinnamon across the top layer of soil in the plant pot and simply wait for its benefits.
Cinnamon as a rooting agent is as useful as willow water or hormone rooting powder. A single application to the stem when you plant the cutting will stimulate root growth in almost every plant variety. Give your cuttings a quick start with the help of cinnamon powder.
Cinnamon acts on pests mainly as a repellent, although in higher doses it has a biocidal effect and prevents egg-laying. Cinnamon and its compounds effectively hinder bacterial and fungal growth, and the phytotoxic effects of cinnamon make it a possible herbicide.
Control Fungus Gnats, Cinnamon A Natural Option
A common and easily available natural fungicide, cinnamon powder is very effective when it comes to curbing fungus gnats. Effective against damping off, cinnamon powder destroys the fungus on which the larvae feed.
Diamondback and box tree moths are especially antsy around cinnamon, but most moth species will stay away from the scent if they can.
You'll need: 4 tablespoons cinnamon powder. 3 cups water.
Similarly, cinnamon also does not contain any rooting hormones. Cinnamon has some antimicrobial properties so it might help prevent bacterial growth that could harm your cutting. But it will not help your cuttings to create roots.
Fear no more because a mix of just 1% Ceylon Cinnamon Oil with water will kill off those horrible Aphids. Good quality Cinnamon Oil high in Eugenol (at least 75%) is a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal that can kill off tiny organisms.
Cinnamon is often regarded as an effective DIY ant control option. It is believed that cinnamon acts as a natural repellent because ants cannot stand the smell. Also, if an ant inhales cinnamon, it can suffocate and die.
By dusting cinnamon all over the garden mulch, it helps to control mushroom growth. Don't worry, it won't hurt your plants.
You can also try the cinnamon trick when repotting your plant to keep mold at bay. 'Sprinkle a natural anti-fungal such as cinnamon or baking soda on top of the soil or add them to your potting mix,' suggests Matt Eddleston. Keep the soil well ventilated, and drier, by moving your plant to an optimum location, too.
However, one species, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as true cinnamon, was the most effective agains all types of fungus. True cinnamon tends to be a little more expensive than other types, but it is worth seeking it out to get the most out of the cinnamon gardening hack.
Try cinnamon to kill the larvae.
Cinnamon is a natural fungicide. It will kill the fungus that the larvae feed on, essentially starving them to death. Simply sprinkle cinnamon on the surface of the soil in your potted plants or garden beds.
Cinnamon oil also effectively keeps spiders away. The smell of cinnamon repels these arachnids. Spiders prefer to maintain a fair distance away from them. Ultimately, cinnamon oil will also fight other insects and keep them away, so it's not for spiders only.
Fungus gnats are one of those annoying house pests that will never fully go away. But you can keep them at bay with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned cinnamon.
Yes: spiders hate the smell of cinnamon. We'll tell you outright what won't work, though: cinnamon-scented candles. While they're good for fragrancing your home, they don't really work against spiders. What you need is proper, all-natural cinnamon quills that you use in cooking.
Mix four parts water with one part hydrogen peroxide and soak your soil with the solution. Neem oil can also be diluted with water and applied to the soil to kill larvae. You can also use neem oil as a spray to kill adult flies on contact.
Let the soil dry and repot
Next, you need to buy a bag of nice quality fresh soil. I've notice a number of mainstream potting soil bags already infested with gnats and thrips. Repotting that plant is one of the most effective ways of ridding fungus gnats.
Myth: Busted. There is at least SOME scientific basis for this myth, but the truth is that the cinnamon you buy at the grocery store is not going to solve your ant problem.