Many people love having a fresh and green space filled with plants and flowers, so they often grow ornamental plants around their homes. This not only beautifies the living environment but also helps cool the air and brings a sense of harmony with nature. However, not everyone has success keeping their garden lush and thriving.

The good news is, taking care of plants isn’t too difficult—you can use natural ingredients to help them grow. This way, you not only avoid harsh chemicals but also contribute to a healthier environment. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to care for plants using garlic—and you might be surprised by just how effective it is.

Garlic: A Natural Nutrient Booster for Plants

Everyone knows garlic is good for human health. But did you know it also benefits plant growth? Scientific studies show that garlic is packed with nutrients like potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6). Gardeners often buy chemical fertilizers high in potassium, not realizing that garlic is a rich, natural source of it.

Using too much chemical fertilizer can compact the soil, especially in potted plants. Garlic, on the other hand, not only nourishes your plants but also helps keep the soil loose and well-aerated—great for healthy root development and lush green leaves.

Garlic as a Natural Pest Repellent

The benefits of garlic don’t stop at being a natural fertilizer. Garlic also acts as an effective, natural pesticide. It contains powerful essential oils and mild acids that can irritate the sensitive skin and eyes of insects, helping to keep them away from your plants. While garlic-based solutions may not be as strong as chemical pesticides, they are much safer for your health and still work well for prevention.

Garlic Skins: A Hidden Gem for Your Plants

Surprisingly, even garlic peels—often tossed out as waste—are great for your plants. Instead of throwing them away, try burying garlic peels in the soil. Over time, they naturally decompose, releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth for plants to absorb. Just be careful when burying the peels not to damage the plant’s roots.

Garlic Water: A Natural Insect and Disease Fighter

Garlic has a strong, pungent smell that many insects dislike. Planting garlic around your garden can help repel harmful pests like borers, fruit flies, aphids, beetles, and spiders. In densely planted gardens, snakes might also be a concern—but snakes tend to avoid garlic, so growing it in your garden can help keep them away.

Besides planting garlic, you can also make garlic water to spray or pour onto plants. Garlic water not only promotes lush green leaves—especially in plants like pothos—but also acts as a gentle, natural insecticide.

Important Note: Avoid using garlic water when plants are forming flower buds, as it may cause them to wilt. However, once flowers have bloomed, a light spray can help deepen their color and extend their bloom time.

How to Make Garlic Water to Protect Plants from Pests

Ingredients:

1 bulb of garlic
1 liter of water
Half a teaspoon of rice water

Instructions:

Separate the garlic cloves (no need to peel), then blend or crush them into a paste.
Pour the crushed garlic into a glass jar, add 1 liter of water, and stir well.
Add a little liquid soap to the mix. This helps the solution stick to leaves and enhances its pest-killing effect.
Let the mixture sit for 24 hours (or longer) so the garlic’s natural sulfur compounds can infuse the water.
After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh or cloth to remove the garlic pulp. The liquid is now ready to be used as a pest spray for your plants.

How to Make Garlic Water to Boost Leaf Growth

This method is similar to the one above, but for this version:

Use 1 bulb of garlic with 3 liters of water
Do not add soap
After straining, the garlic pulp can be buried in the soil as compost

Reminder: No matter the purpose, don’t overuse garlic water. The recommended dosage is once or twice a month. It’s enough to prevent pests and help your plants grow strong and vibrant.

Kimmy Farm VN

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