How Often to Use Cinnamon on Plants

Cinnamon is a popular spice used to flavor food recipes, what I love about this spice is not being limited to the kitchen but can be used in the garden to promote plant health. The practices of cinnamon used in the garden are not new but have been around for some time to avoid food (crop) contamination, to protect pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife, and to help keep our ecosystem and environment free of pollution. Both the agricultural and garden world have widely accepted the application of cinnamon to control garden insect pests because of its safe practices.

No longer should we reach for toxic pesticides to control garden pests but seek a safer approach, cinnamon is one of those safe approaches that will ensure that we are growing a garden that’s not only pest-free but toxic-free. Continue reading for the benefits of cinnamon in the garden.

Use Cinnamon to Repel Ants

Ants are active little creatures that seem to be always on the go either foraging for food or seeking out a place to start a colony, however, painful stings can be delivered by fire ants. Other ant species including fire ants not only invade gardens but can cause injury to plants. It’s a common fact that some ant species will use flower bloom, foliage, and plant stems as a food source. Even seedlings don’t stand a chance against ants attack.

Although Ants spend their time above ground their natural habitat is below ground where their colonies are built.  These colonies are constructed under the soil and because of the ants’ tunneling can damage the plant’s roots. When a plant’s root system is damaged will hinder the plant from the proper absorption of water and nutrients. When this happens the plant’s health will suffer causing it to be more susceptible to disease and garden insect pests. To bring complete control create a barrier around the inside of the flower bed by sprinkling cinnamon or make a circle around garden plants and mix it into the first few top inches of soil. If heavy rains fall after application reapply for effectiveness.

Use Cinnamon to Deter Pest

Several pests can do damage to garden plants, some of these pests can be found lurking in home gardens for example moles, raccoons,  squirrels,  rabbits, mice, and chipmunks. Sprinkling cinnamon around your garden beds and potted plants will deter pests because of the scent.

Control Slugs with Cinnamon

Slugs like snails can cause serious damage to garden plants, especially succulents or plants that are soft or lush, slugs have also been known to carry diseases.  Slugs will consume edible crops as well, to bring an end to their destructive behavior apply cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon around the base of your plants or veggies to deter slugs

Eliminate Garden Insect Pests

A common problem that is found in gardens is the presence of insects, these pests can cause server damage especially if there is an infestation, some of these insects are spider mites, whiteflies, and thrips which can be difficult to control. Thrips are also carriers of diseases, control these garden pests by applying cinnamon oil or powder, garden pests hate the scent and won’t stay around also if cinnamon is ingested by pests insects will poison them causing elimination.

Additional information

Cinnamon for mold control: Cinnamon will prevent mold from growing on the soil’s surface.

Cinnamon for Fungus control: Treating seedlings with cinnamon will help to control damping off which is a plant disease, the application will help to prevent this issue by killing the fungus. To make a fungicide with cinnamon use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in 5 liters or warm water. Let this mixture sit for a few hours to get potent and you are all set.

Use cinnamon as a rooting agent: Cinnamon can be used as a rooting agent to promote plant growth, certain species of plants respond well when cinnamon is used as a root tone for example, aloes, peperomia etc…

Conclusion

The use of cinnamon in the garden has its benefits who would have ever thought that this favorable spice could have such an effect on garden plants and pests? I believe that using natural remedies is a great way not only to promote a plant’s health but also the health of food when growing an edible garden. It’s good to know that pollinators, wildlife, and beneficial insects can enjoy a safe environment that is free of toxins. The next time you walk in your garden and see any of these listed pests reach for ground cinnamon powder that has the power to bring pest issues under control.