This familiar kitchen powder is none other than baking soda—a truly versatile ingredient that can be used in countless ways, including in plant care. Many gardening enthusiasts are surprised to discover that baking soda is not just for cooking and cleaning; it also has several beneficial effects on ornamental plants.

So what exactly can baking soda do for your potted plants? Let’s explore its key uses below:

1. Baking soda helps stimulate more abundant blooming

When the flowering season approaches, you can mix baking soda with water and spray it evenly over the surface of your ornamental plants. Make sure to mist all parts of the plant, including both sides of the leaves and the stems. Plants are able to absorb certain nutrients through their foliage, and this gentle solution can help promote the growth of flower buds.

If your buds are already forming, baking soda may also help them develop more quickly, encouraging fuller blooms with deeper and more vibrant colors. Many gardeners consider baking soda a mild, natural booster that supports healthier and more prolific flowering without relying on chemical fertilizers.

In addition, the simple spraying routine helps keep leaves clean, allowing the plant to photosynthesize better—another indirect reason why flowers appear more plentiful.

2. Baking soda helps prevent pests and plant diseases

As we know, baking soda has alkaline properties. This is exactly why it should not be used for watering the soil—its alkalinity can compress the soil structure over time, reducing aeration and affecting root health.

However, the same alkaline quality makes baking soda useful for preventing pests and fungal diseases. When dissolved and sprayed onto leaves, it creates an environment that is inhospitable to many common pests. Gardeners often use it on plants that are prone to fungal issues or insect infestations, as baking soda can slow down the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Baking soda can also help eliminate tiny insects that lay eggs on the leaves’ surface. Regular spraying helps disrupt their breeding cycle, which is extremely beneficial for maintaining the overall health and appearance of ornamental plants.

For plants that frequently suffer from powdery mildew, mealybugs, or soft-bodied insects, a light baking soda solution can be a safe and accessible natural remedy.

3. Baking soda helps with composting and neutralizing odors from organic fertilizers

Homemade organic fertilizer is favored by many plant lovers because it is environmentally friendly, safe, and economical. Many household scraps—such as fruit peels, vegetable trimmings, or leftover plant material—can be turned into nutrient-rich compost.

However, organic compost comes with one major challenge: unpleasant odors. These smells can be strong enough to affect indoor air quality and cause discomfort to people living in the home.

A simple solution is to add a small amount of baking soda to the compost mixture. Baking soda helps inhibit the growth of odor-producing fungi and bacteria, significantly reducing unpleasant smells. It also helps balance the acidity of certain compost ingredients, allowing them to break down more smoothly.

This makes the composting process more manageable, especially for people living in apartments or homes with limited outdoor space.

Final thoughts

These are just a few of the many practical uses of baking soda in plant care. This inexpensive and widely available kitchen staple can support healthier growth, protect plants from pests, and even make composting easier. With a bit of experimentation, you may discover even more creative ways to use baking soda around your garden.