Natural Root Fungus Remedy for a House Plant

Healthy Plants

• Fungal problems have different causes. Fungi present in potting soil can attack a plant and overwatering leads to different types of rot. A healthy plant stands a better chance of fighting off or resisting a fungal infection. Because fungi are hard to treat, prevention is the best solution. Know your houseplant's needs for water, air and sunlight, and watch for insect pests that weaken your houseplant leaving it susceptible to fungal attack.

Treating Fungal Infections

• Treating root fungi is difficult because the fungus is in the soil and sprays may need to be applied directly to the root. In these cases, a combination of spraying, heat treating of the soil and repotting may be necessary. Not all plants will recover, especially if the fungus is well established.

Spraying

• Two natural, homemade sprays fight fungal attack. A baking soda solution of 1 tsp. of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap to 4 cups of water works well as a preventative. It treats some infections that have not spread far. A decoction of horsetail works as a preventative and may be more effective treating an established fungal infection. To make a decoction, fill a pot with horsetail and enough water covering the herb. Bring it to a boil, and then simmer it for 45 minutes to an hour. Let it cool before straining, and then dilute it with water, 9 parts water to 1 part decoction. Simply spraying the soil is not enough. Spray the roots themselves, in which case repotting in heat-treated soil is preferable.

Heat Treating

• Heat treating is a soil treatment that kills fungi and harmful bacteria in the soil. Treating the plant alone may not be enough if the fungi are still thriving in the pot, and it's difficult to treat soil using a spray. Spread soil about 2 inches thick in a pan and put it in the oven. Bake it at 200 degrees for about an hour. Stir it well and let it air dry for a week before using it to repot your freshly sprayed houseplant. When using this method, be aware of any chemicals in your soil that may react badly to heat. Plain soil with no fertilizers or added chemicals is safest.