Recently, I came across a post where a plant keeper was having problems rooting a chonk. The plant keeper mentioned how they dried the chonk after it grew mold, then soaked it in hydrogen peroxide and how it still would grow mold afterwards.
This led me to the question, can mold grow on plants?
Can mold grow on plants?
We would all quickly assume that mold can indeed grow on plants, but a quick Google search will say otherwise. Mildew grows on living things, but mold only grows on things that used to be alive.
What to do with a plant with mold?
So if your plant is in fact growing mold, it’s most unfortunately probably dead. It’s not the outcome we would hope for, but it’s better to move on than hold on to something that may never become a plant.
Remember, if the chonk or cutting died due to disease, you will not want to reuse the potting soil for that plant as it may spread the disease.
Mold vs Mildew
How can I tell if it’s mold or mildew.
Typically, mildew will be white, gray or a light brown. The texture should appear powdery and can give off a foul odor. While mold is typically black or green, looks fuzzy and has a distinctly musky smell.
How to treat a plant with mildew
If you have determined the plant is afflicted with mildew and not mold, then you might be able to save your plant.
Gardeners who are often dealing with mildew on their plants recommend baking soda.
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 4 cups water (1 quart)
Mix these two items together and use it to spray down the affected mildew areas. This should stop the mildew from growing in it’s tracks.
White mold on plants
One thing to look out for is if the mold is white, it could be mistaken as mildew. Again, if the texture is fuzzy and not powdery, then it is mold. White mold will grow in high humidity situations and in keeping with best practices, you’re likely to be rooting and growing your chonk/cutting in this environment.
If this is the case, again, the plant is no longer viable and you should dispose of it and the soil it is in to be certain that disease is not spread.