Lysol is a disinfecting spray that is used and found in our houses very commonly for cleaning and getting rid of bacteria or germs. Lysol is an American brand of cleaning and disinfecting products that are distributed by Reckitt. Lysol claims to remove 99% of the bacteria from any surface of your house. Lysol is a chemical solution made with 50% of cresol (3-methyl phenol) with saponified vegetable oil. There is no doubt about the cleaning effect of Lysol on floors and households but we have discovered many wondering about the possibility of spraying Lysol in plants.
They are very intrigued about spraying this good working disinfectant on their troubled plants. Our fellow gardeners are always asking “Can you spray Lysol on plants?”. Well, I think this idea comes from the belief of putting baking soda and some of these kinds of disinfecting products on plants to get rid of pesticides. Other disinfectants on plants might work but Lysol is a total no-no. This will never help your plant in any circumstances but rather harm your plant. Then what can you do about the plants and what are the reasons behind being so sure about the effects of Lysol and is there any possibility you ask? Well, let’s dive into it and think about all of these.
Key Takeaways
- Lysol is a chemical solution that is used for household cleaning, when sprayed on plants, it can have adverse effects on plants and have the possibility to kill them.
- Spraying Lysol on plants not only has an effect on plants and their overall health but also can disrupt the natural movement of microorganisms and pollinators while affecting the overall ecosystem.
- There are a lot of alternative fungicides that can be used to remove pesticides and fungal infections from your plants. You can go for neem oil, baking soda, milk, sulfur, vinegar, copper fungicides, etc.
- If you ever spray Lysol on your plants accidentally take quick action to save your plant from having any detrimental effects.
- Precaution taken before you accidentally spray Lysol on your plants would never go wrong. By taking simple steps beforehand you can save your plants and gardens.
Lysol On Plants: Risk or Remedy
While Lysol has an active effect on cleaning and disinfecting and cleaning up any bacteria that a surface has lit up the question of spraying Lysol in plants for the purpose of killing bacteria. As more and more people are wondering about the fact it becomes important to discuss and show facts about spraying Lysol on plants. This chemical solution can be detrimental to plants and have adverse effects like killing the plant, leaf burn, and stunted growth due to high exposure to chemicals. But some groups have high expectations of diluting Lysol into the water and spraying that mixture on plants for getting rid of pesticides. First of all, let’s see the reason behind Lysol not being sprayable on plants. Spraying Lysol, directly on plants is not recommended for several reasons. Here are four reasons why it should be avoided:
Toxicity to Plants
Lysol has chemicals that are intended to kill the bacteria virus and disinfect any surface. Nevertheless, these chemicals can be harmful to the plants. The active ingredients in Lysol are alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, which can be toxic to plant tissues, causing damage or even death in some cases. As plants have very delicate structures and they keep a natural mechanism to protect themselves from outer problems. As you spray harsh chemicals like Lysol on their surface that disrupts plats balance and can hinder their body’s growth and development. Also using Lysol spray can show direct chemical symptoms like a burned leaf, slower growth, losing leaf, etc.
Disruption of Beneficial Microorganisms
Plants’ relationship with beneficial microorganisms is symbiotic. Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in the soil are very dear to plants that are always taking part in plants’ natural growth. These microorganisms help plants to carry out their nutrient cycle, suppress disease, and help to lead an overall healthy life. Spraying Lysol can kill or disrupt the natural function of these microorganisms, which also leads to soil ecosystem imbalances. This disruption can make the plants weak and also reduces plants’ ability to take up nutrients and defend capacity against harmful pathogens, spraying Lysol can make plants more susceptible to diseases.
Environmental Impact
Lysol is not something you can just use on plants and that has not been formulated to be used on plants. Due to that reason, the ingredients used in the Lysol formula do not break down easily in the environment. If you spray Lysol on plants, the ingredients can enter the soil, this will potentially contaminate the water underground or other water resources. The buildup of these kinds of chemical ingredients can have severe effects on soil, aquatic life, and any other beneficial organism and insects living in the soil. To save the environment and the lives of the soil it is very important to consider using products that would not harm the environment and try using products that are specifically designed for your plants.
Negative Effects on Pollinators
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs play a crucial role in plant reproduction and in maintaining biodiversity. These pollinators are the major factor in balancing and saving any plant from extinction. Spraying Lysol on your plant can harm or in some cases can repel these very important pollinators. If the pollinators are reduced in numbers that would drastically change plant growth and propagation. Spraying Lysol not only can directly harm the pollinators but the chemicals can go into their reproductive system, and interfere with their navigation and foraging ability, which ultimately would lead to a reduction in pollinators. This does not seem to be a big issue but in the longer term, it can affect the whole food safety if we see clearly.
The people who believe in the benefits of diluting Lysol to spray on the plant, I have to say they seem to be completely wrong about it. Yes, some disinfectants can be used by diluting with water but for Lysol that is not possible. This product has high Chemical composition which will only make things worse. But you don’t have to be worried and disappointed because we have some better alternatives that you can go for.
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Alternative Options to Lysol on Plants
Certainly, Lysol cannot be a fungicide for plants because of its harmful chemical composition. There are numerous plant-friendly options available in the market that can help control fungi and insects from your plants. Those are fungicides that are specially formulated for plants. Using some organic and naturally produced fungicides such as insecticidal soaps, neem oil, and baking soda would be best. These alternatives can be very best to minimize pesticides and other harmful bacteria without you having to use Lysol spray. on the other hand, these alternative fungicides focus on pesticides only and save beneficial microorganisms. Worrying about choosing the best fungicide that can kill bacteria and save the microorganism? you do not have to think much, because we will discuss some of the best alternatives.
Neem oil
Neem oil can be used as a fungicide that would work against a wide range of pesticides and plant diseases. Neem oil is a nature-derived fungicide that is extracted from the neem tree. due to its components and natural abilities, neem oil is safe for humans and plants. it does not contain any kind of harsh chemicals. When you spray neem oil on the plant that would suffocate the insects or this oil would disrupt the system insects feed on. you have to make sure the intersects are present on the plants when you are spraying neem oil. some neem products work well for mildew and blackspots, and combating other fungal diseases.
Baking soda
Baking soda is another popular. Easily available, nature-derived products to control insects and fungal diseases of plants. when spraying baking soda on plants, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda, with 2-3 drops of liquid soap with 1 liter of water. Spraying this mixture on plants would make the plants less acidic or change the PH level so that the insects and fungi cannot grow. using baking soda on plants can help to reduce other diseases too.
Milk
For some, this might be very difficult to believe but milk has properties that can work as fungicides and prevent diseases like powdery mildew, blacken leaves, and other problems. Since milk is rich in calcium spraying milk on plants can stop rotting and help to plant to grow. Spraying milk on plants can provide them with protein and vitamin B which enhance plant growth and remove fungus.
Copper fungicides
Another very popular fungicide is copper fungicides, which work very well to control fungi and diseases of plants. Spraying copper on plants helps to suppress fungus and control bacterial diseases. when you use copper fungicide on plants they release iron which is really toxic for plants. Spraying this substance on the fruit tree is more beneficial and can help reduce mildew, and scab, remove spots from leaf and cane, and also reduces bacterial blight. But the daily spray of copper is safe to avoid since it has the tendency to build up on soil over time.
Sulfur
Sulfur has been registered as a pesticide product in the united states since the 1920s. it is safe for plants and does not have any impact on plants rather sulfur is essential for plants. Sulfur has the ability to kill insects, fungi, rodents, and mites when sprayed on plants. When spraying sulfur on a plant mix 3 tbsp. of powder sulfur fungicide with a gallon of water, dilute the product very well. you should never spray sulfur on plants during high-temperature periods. Sulfur can help in the formation of amino acids, proteins, and oils too.
Now you know some great alternatives to Lysol that can be used on your delicate plants. these would not harm the plants in any aspect but rather add good beneficiaries. there are also other fungicides available apart from the discussed ones you can always go for them too but never forget to use a fungicide not any other kind of disinfectant. But always do read the instructions of any product that you are intending to use on plants, also doing a patch test on a small area never goes wrong.
Steps to Take for Accidental Lysol Spraying On Plants
As Lysol is a great disinfectant product, you might use this for cleaning and disinfecting your house, which is common. But if you accidentally spray Lysol on the plants of your house, actions should be taken immediately before Lysol can start working on the plant and destroy that. the steps mentioned below can be taken to reduce the effects of Lysol on your plant.
- As soon as you realized spraying Lysol on the plant remove the plant from the area and take it somewhere safe where there is no Lysol sprayed.
- Take the plant to a properly ventilated place, where you can reduce their exposure to Lysol. Proper air and light might be able to reduce the effect of Lysol to some degree.
- After the plant has been taken out, you have to rinse the leaves and the tree very carefully. spraying a gentle spray of water and wiping it with a cloth or using hand gloves would be best. Rinsing the leaves as well as the branches is a must.
- After you have rinsed it thoroughly, consider repotting the plant. This way you would get rid of any Lysol remaining on the soil.
- While potting, use soil that is fresh and sterilized. at this crucial moment, plants need proper care and nutrition.
- give extra attention, and use fertilizer from avoiding any further issues.
Even after doing all the steps your plant starts to show signs of infection due to Lysol spray and having problems. You can remove plants’ affected areas by trimming leaves and stems.
How to Protect and Avoid Accidental Lysol Spray?
If you use Lysol on a daily basis and have indoor plants or a beautiful garden, then this section is for you. An accidental spray of Lysol takes the life out of your plant or more severely can destroy the garden if proper precautions are not taken, you would not want that to happen to your beautiful garden right? So let’s take a look at how you can avoid the accidental use of Lysol on indoor plants or gardens.
If you have indoor plants it is very susceptible to getting accidentally sprayed by Lysol. This is why wherever you are cleaning with Lysol take the plants in a separate room, or cover the plants very well with plastic. Do not use the same gloves you used Lysol with on the plants. Keep the doors and windows open while you use Lysol at home so there would not be any Lysol residue left in the air. Also, clean the area very well with water so you can have a clean fresh place for your plants.
As for the outdoor garden, grow your plants in an area where you would not use Lysol or any other disinfectant. Never through away the water you diluted or cleaned Lysol with anywhere near your garden. If anyhow you spray Lysol on any of the plants make sure to remove that from the garden. This way Lysol would not be spread among other plants presented there.
FAQs
No, you cannot spray Lysol on any parts of the plant. The ingredients in Lysol might cause adverse effects on the flower and cause it to wither.
No, they will die immediately if Lysol is sprayed directly on bugs. They work by closing the air holes on the insect and suffocating them.
Yes, sometimes they can be toxic to breathe and can affect your lungs due to the ingredients that make up Lysol.
Yes, Lysol can kill grass too. The disinfectants present in Lysol can block the stomata of the grass causing it not to be able to breathe properly.
Final Thoughts
Lysol is a disinfectant that is very common and reliable for household disinfection. This product has a high chemical composition that can kill bacteria and viruses. Lysol is not something that can be used on plants or any other living being. Normal fungicides that are gentle for plants have different chemical compositions and are mostly derived naturally. To help you find some good alternatives, some nature-derived and approved pesticides have been mentioned. From there you can choose some good ones. Also, you don’t need to panic if you have accidentally sprayed Lysol on your plants, you can redeem the effects by taking the necessary steps. The accidental spray of Lysol, while you are cleaning your house, can be avoided by being careful. Before you apply anything to your beloved plants make sure to know and understand what they can be and cannot be used for. It is essential to choose appropriate products for your plants’ care and to maintain their good health.
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