Most of us who have plants in our homes, indoors or outdoor, want them to thrive. And in an effort, many of us wonder whether using essential oils and diffusers is safe for plants or not.
In simple terms, pure essential oils aren’t harmful to plants when used correctly.
Since most of the essential oils in their purest form are plant extracts (and not any chemicals), they are beneficial to the house plants and cannot do anything wrong to them.
But that’s only true as long as the oils are used in their purest form and in moderation.
If you are using too much oil or if the oil is not pure, it might cause some problems.
Therefore, if you’re diffusing essential oils and have plants in your home, make sure to follow specific guidelines, which I will be discussing in a minute below.
Before that, let’s look at what effects essential oil has on plants and how good they are to use in your garden.
Essential Oils for Houseplants
Besides scenting your home, essential oils have particular advantages for various types of plants, depending on the oils you’re using.
Here are a few of the advantages that plants can receive from essential oils:
1. They Can Help Purify the Air
Essential oils can help purify the air around them, removing harmful toxins and chemicals.
This is exceptionally beneficial for houseplants that are constantly bombarded with these things, from the cleaning products we use to the air fresheners, to the paint fumes, etc.
2. They Can Help Boost Growth
Certain essential oils can help to stimulate growth in plants when sprayed directly or mixed with the soil.
This means not only will your plants grow faster, but they’ll also be healthier and stronger – thanks to their natural antifungal properties.
3. They Can Help to Repel Pests
Most essential oils have properties that make them effective at repelling pests like insects and animals. It is good news for gardeners who are constantly fighting against these critters.
4. They Can Help Improve the Health of the Plant
When used correctly, essential oils can help improve your plant’s overall health. This includes things like increasing immunity, preventing diseases, and promoting healing.
When sprayed on your plants’ leaves, certain oils (like thieves) can also make them look shiny and beautiful. So it’s great to enhance the natural beauty indoors.
5. They Attract Pollinators Such as Butterflies and Bees
Many essential oils tend to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies because of their sweet smell.
This is excellent news for gardeners who wish to entice these insects into their plants more frequently for good rather than bad.
Now that we know some of the benefits essential oils can have for plants let’s look at how to use them safely.
How to Use Essential Oils Safely Around Plants?
As I mentioned before, pure essential oils are perfectly safe to use around plants. You can use them in a diffuser or spray them directly by using a glass spray bottle.
Do not use a plastic bottle for essential oils as they can dissolve the plastic.
When diffusing essential oils, make sure to open a window so that there is ventilation and fresh air coming in.
This is important because too much concentration of any oil can be overwhelming, not just for plants but also for people.
If you’re spraying essential oils directly on your house plants, there are a few additional things you need to keep in mind to use them safely. These include:
1. Make sure the oil is pure
This is the most important thing. You want to make sure that the oil you’re using is 100% pure therapeutic grade and doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients.
This way, you know that it’s not going to do any harm to your plants.
2. Use them in moderation
You don’t want to go overboard with the oils. A little goes a long way, so start with just a few drops and see how your plant reacts. If it seems to be doing well, you can add a few more drops next time.
3. Do a patch test first
Before using oil on your plants, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first. Now, you can see how your plant reacts to the oil and ensure it’s not going to cause any irritation.
4. Avoid using them in direct sunlight
Essential oils can be photosensitive, so you want to avoid using them in direct sunlight. This is especially true for citrus oils like lemon and lime.
5. Keep an eye on your plants
As with anything, you want to keep an eye on your plants after using essential oils. This way, you can catch any problems early on and take care of them before they become too severe.
Let’s look at some of the greatest essential oils for use in your garden after we’ve learned how to safely use them around plants.
The Best Essential Oils for House Plants Indoor and Outdoors
Several essential oils can be used to benefit plants, both indoors and outdoors.
Top beneficial oils for plants include Cinnamon, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Rosemary, Clove, Oregano, Lavender, Orange, Cedarwood, Thyme, Lemongrass, Basil, Lemon, and Thieves.
These oils can help repel pests, eliminate fungi and bacteria, and attract pollinators. Some of them (like citrus) are also known to purify the soil.
Do note that some oils can be incredibly strong than others. So, it’s good to dilute them or mix them with other oils to reduce their potency.
When in doubt, always test on a small area first before applying it to the entire plant.
The conclusion
Essential oils can be used to benefit both indoor and outdoor plants. And one of the best ways to help your houseplants is by using an essential oil diffuser.
When used properly, they can help repel pests, eliminate fungi and bacteria, and attract pollinators. Make sure you buy pure, therapeutic-grade oils and use them in moderation for the best results.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.