How Often Can I Feed My Plants With Hydrogen Peroxide?

Soil Amendment

• There are two different strengths of hydrogen peroxide gardeners can use to feed their plants additional oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide found at your local drugstore can contain 3, 5 or 8 percent while commercial food-grade hydrogen peroxide contains 35 percent. The amount and frequency of hydrogen peroxide will depend on which product you are using and the type of soil you are growing your plants in. Food-grade hydrogen peroxide, though economical, must be diluted to a 3 percent H2O2 strength when used to water plants. The website, Using-Hydrogen-Peroxide.com, has a mixing chart for the correct amount of hydrogen peroxide to add to water for feeding plants. Hydrogen peroxide should be added to your plant water at every watering to increase the availability of oxygen to the root system.

Foliar Spray

• Hydrogen peroxide, mixed with water and administered as a foliar spray on your plant leaves, will treat and eliminate fungal infections, including mildew and mold. However, you should be careful regarding the strength and mixture of the foliar spray to make sure it contains no more than a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Higher levels of hydrogen peroxide sprayed onto your plant leaves will damage, and possibly kill, your plant. Initially start with a single application to treat fungus on your plants. An additional application may be needed two to three weeks later for severe or recurrent fungal infections.

Hydroponics

• Hydroponics is a soil-less growing technique used particularly for crop plants. Plants that are grown hydroponically either have their roots in a growing medium, like perlite, or in nutrient-rich water. Adding hydrogen peroxide to hydroponic plants will benefit them by producing stronger roots and robust plants. In soil-less mediums, hydrogen peroxide will kill harmful bacteria and fungus, keeping the growing area clean. In soil-less growing, use the same mixing chart and usage as with plants that grow in soil. Hydroponic plants that are grown in nutrient solutions greatly benefit from the addition of hydrogen peroxide by increasing the oxygen that the roots can absorb. The addition of 2 to 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into a 5-gallon tank every day will increase the oxygen level within the tank.

Additional Uses

• Hydrogen peroxide has beneficial applications when used to germinate seeds and propagate cuttings. Use the same mixture formulation for feeding hydrogen peroxide to garden plants as the water medium for sprouting and germinating seeds. For propagating plant cuttings, substitute the hydrogen peroxide mix for water, whether you are rooting the cuttings in water or soil. The seeds will germinate faster, and cuttings will root quicker, resulting in stronger, healthier roots.