Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a common household item, known for its uses in cooking and cleaning. This natural product, created through the fermentation of apple juice, is also gaining recognition for its applications in plant care.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Plants
ACV offers several advantages for plants, primarily due to its acetic acid content and trace nutrients. A primary benefit is its ability to adjust soil pH levels. Many plants thrive in slightly acidic conditions, and diluted ACV can lower the pH of alkaline soils, making essential nutrients more accessible to plant roots.
Beyond pH adjustment, ACV’s acetic acid provides mild fungicidal properties, inhibiting the growth of pathogens like powdery mildew and black spot. Its distinctive scent also deters common garden pests, including ants, aphids, and whiteflies. ACV also contains beneficial nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and iron, contributing to overall plant vigor.
Plants That Benefit From Apple Cider Vinegar
Plants that prefer acidic soil conditions can benefit from diluted apple cider vinegar applications. Many ornamental shrubs and trees, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas (for blue blooms), magnolias, Japanese maples, and pieris japonica, thrive in lower pH environments.
Berry plants, including blueberries and bilberries, are acid-lovers that can show improved growth and fruit production with appropriate soil acidity. In the vegetable garden, crops like potatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers, beans, and sweet corn prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil and may benefit. Houseplants can also benefit, as ACV supports their overall health.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Safely
Proper dilution is important when applying apple cider vinegar to plants to prevent damage. For a soil drench, mix one cup of ACV with one gallon of water, applied monthly to acid-loving plants. Alternatively, use one to two tablespoons per gallon for general soil amendment.
As a foliar spray for fungal issues or pest deterrence, a typical dilution is one part ACV to 20 or 30 parts water. For existing fungal problems like powdery mildew, use a stronger ratio of one part ACV to 10 parts water. Apply foliar sprays every few weeks preventatively, or more frequently (e.g., weekly) for pest control, reapplying after rain.
When Not to Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Precautions
While beneficial for some, ACV is not suitable for all plants and requires careful application. Plants preferring alkaline or neutral soil, such as lilacs, lavender, clematis, asparagus, cabbage, and pole beans, can be harmed by increased acidity. Gardenias, often mistaken for acid-lovers, also do not benefit from ACV.
Signs of overuse or improper application include leaf burn, wilting, or plant decline. Always test a diluted solution on a small, inconspicuous part of the plant or soil before full application. Avoid applying ACV solutions during peak sunlight to minimize leaf scorching. Using ACV on plants in pots or raised beds requires extra caution due to limited soil volume, which can lead to rapid, concentrated pH changes.