Fungi, in general, thrive in humid, poorly ventilated areas and moist soil, though their temperature and humidity preferences vary. With that in mind, here are a few steps you can take to avoid dealing with most fungal houseplant problems: Make sure your plant has plenty of air circulation around it.
High humidity and low airflow are the primary causes of white mold. Planting your vegetation without adequate spacing where it cannot get proper air circulation, or overwatering your garden or potting soil can create prime conditions for white mold to grow.
If you do encounter fungus on your plants, just remember it can be treated and your plants will more than likely recover beautifully. Learn how to recognize powdery mildew and black spot, and how you can prevent and treat them in your own garden.
Fungus exists naturally in soil, and most of it's beneficial for your plants. But there are 8,000 varieties that have no purpose other than messing up your garden plants.
A good place to start is a mix of mild liquid soap and water, sprayed onto houseplants. One teaspoon of soap per litre of water will do the job. It sounds simple, but this formula will treat a lot of common houseplant pests. Add just a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and it becomes a great fungicide as well.
Overwatering. If you find mold on the soil in a potted plant, that typically means you're watering the plant too often and the soil is persistently moist. Keep in mind that most indoor plants require less water than outdoor plants, in part because they receive less sunlight to evaporate excess moisture.
Mould lives in moist environments. Just as you'd find mould on mushy old vegetable or damp walls, you'll find it on wet soil. It likes to grow somewhere that stays moist and doesn't move. Your plants are more likely to grow mould if they're somewhere with poor air circulation.
Apple cider vinegar as fungicide on plants- To make a fungicide out of this, take one tablespoon of vinegar and mix it with a gallon of water. Shake this well and add to a spray bottle. Vinegar mixture can treat most fungal infections on any plant, without causing any harm.
Overwatering is one of the leading culprits of fungal growth. Unless your plant needs the soil consistently moist, allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering. Make sure every container has drainage holes in the bottom, and never let your plant sit directly in standing water if there is a saucer under the pot.
Soil that is consistently wet and waterlogged provides an ideal environment for mold to flourish and can lead to root rot, which will eventually kill your plant. Make sure you are familiar with your plant's specific watering needs and cut back on watering if necessary to prevent overwatering.
While most fungal species do not cause infections in humans, the adaptation of plant fungi to invade human cells could lead to more instances of human infections in the future.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an effective and inexpensive antifungal agent that is readily available at a supermarket. It is an organic and eco-friendly remedy for black spots and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Fungus can quickly damage plants and cause plants to wilt and die.
There is no scientific evidence indicating that Epsom salt can control or manage fungal or bacterial pathogens in plants. Epsom salt can help if a recent soil test indicates that there is not enough magnesium for the type of plants being grown.
It is perfectly safe for plants when properly diluted and used in moderation. Adding hydrogen peroxide to water promotes better growth in plants and boosts roots ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Diluted 3% peroxide adds needed aeration to the soil of plants and helps control fungus in the soil.
Best Overall
We chose the Lamisil Terbinafine Hydrochloride Antifungal Cream as our top pick because it works to address a variety of infections, including toenail fungus. The prescription-strength cream comes highly recommended by Dr. Lipner because it can treat athlete's foot before it spreads to the toenails.
To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home
Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home's humidity at a home improvement store.
Neem oil has a dual purpose in the vegetable garden as both a pesticide and a fungicide. It works on arthropod pests that often eat your vegetables, including tomato hornworms, corn earworm, aphids and whiteflies. In addition, neem oil also controls common fungi that grow on vegetable plants, including: Mildews.
Sources of fungal infections are infected seed, soil, crop debris, nearby crops and weeds. Fungi are spread by wind and water splash, and through the movement of contaminated soil, animals, workers, machinery, tools, seedlings and other plant material.
ANSWER: You shouldn't get rid of all the fungus in your soil. The reason being is that most fungi are good for your plants. Fungus is a naturally occurring element in the soil. There are many types of fungus but only about 8,000 are harmful to your plants.