How to Kill White Fungus Dirt on a Household Plant

Household potted plants can develop a wide variety of problems, one of which is a white fungus that goes by the common name of powdery mildew. The fungus begins in small spots that eventually spread across the entire surface of the potting soil and to the plant itself. This fungus is caused by spores that contaminated the soil prior to planting. Once you begin watering the soil, the spores grow and the fungus appears. Killing the fungus requires multiple approaches.

Hand spade
Potting soil
Hand pruners
Pitcher
Liquid fungicide
Fan
Cloth
Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  Dig out the top 1 inch of soil in the pot using a hand spade and place it into a trash bag for disposal. This prevents the mature fungal growths from producing new spores and making the infestation worse. Tie the bag up and throw it away. Replace the soil with sterile potting soil if the roots of the plant are exposed.
- 2
  Examine the leaves of the houseplant carefully and locate any white fungus that has begun to grow on them. Prune off all infected plant portions using hand pruners to prevent it from dropping into the soil.
- 3
  Fill a pitcher with 1 gallon of water and 2 tbsp. of a liquid fungicide solution, which is available at any home and garden center. Mix the solution up well and pour it into the soil around the plant. Use this solution as the normal water for three weeks to kill any remaining fungal spores in the soil.
- 4
  Place the plant pot in an area that receives the brightest amount of light that the plant can tolerate. In addition, increase air circulation by placing a fan near the plant, which prevents spores from growing until the fungicide kills them.

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