For many years there has been an old wives’ tale that popping an aspirin in a vase of cut flowers helps to prolong their life. In recent years, it has been found that giving aspirins regularly to plants in various situations really is effective and we reveal that aspirins for healthy indoor plants isn’t a fallacy after all!

Trying to maintain healthy indoor plants can be a challenge, especially if they are always ‘on show’ to customers and guests such as in a reception area or restaurant. Of course, indoor plants are not always cared for properly in a busy office environment and can suffer badly from neglect. Luckily aspirins can prove to be life savers in all these situations!

How do aspirins work?

Aspirins are a wonder med for indoor plants

Aspirins contain acetylsalicylic acid which helps boosts the plant’s immune system so that it can effectively fight pests, disease and physical damage – such as re-potting or taking a cutting. Indoor plants can even become stressed when you move them to a new environment. Aspirins can rejuvenate even badly neglected plants

Acetylsalic acid is the active ingredient in aspirin.  This acid is derived from salicylic acid, found naturally in the bark of white willow (Salix alba). The acid is effective on plants because many plants produce it themselves in tiny amounts. Plants produce this acid when stressed or fighting disease. Feeding them a greater supply of the acid proves beneficial. Giving the plant too much aspirin can                                                                   have a negative effect as it can burn its leaves.

How should I use aspirin on indoor plants

Lightly spray every three weeks

Buy normal strength aspirin for your plants. The ratio needed for indoor plants is one aspirin to every 4.5 litres of water (one gallon). Crush the aspirin carefully using a pestle and mortar and mix it into the water. Pour the water into a spray bottle and add 2-3 drops of mild dishwasher liquid. Shake the contents well to mix before using. It may sound strange to add the dishwasher liquid but this is so that the water sticks to the plant and does not just run off.

Apply this solution every three weeks for the best results. There are several benefits for regularly using aspirin as it helps protect the plant against aphids and also promotes new growth in the plant.

Always give your indoor plants the aspirin treatment if you notice that their leaves are dropping or they have changed appearance with paler leaves and flowers. Aspirin is a good treatment to use if the plant develops an infection.

Give aspirin to your cut flowers

Prolong the life of cut flowers

Simply pop an aspirin in the bottom of your vase. Fill the vase with water and stir well to dissolve the aspirin. Arrange your bunch of flowers in the vase. You will find that the aspirin will keep the flowers looking good and that they will last longer.

Aspirin have uses in the garden too

Speed up germination

As well as keeping your indoor plants in good condition, aspirin can be used in the garden too. If you are germinating trays of seeds, watering them with the same strength aspirin solution (one aspirin to 4.5 litres of water) every three weeks will prove beneficial. Feeding seeds with aspirin accelerates their growth and makes them stronger and more resistant to disease. Some gardeners declare that their germination success using aspirin increases to 95-100%.

If you have a vegetable patch, you will find that giving the plants a regular aspirin treatment will work wonders! The plants will develop more quickly and produce more vegetables/ fruit. The aspirin treatment can be used throughout the growing season and is particularly beneficial to tomatoes, aubergine (eggplant), cucumber, peppers and potatoes.

https://diyeverywhere.com/2017/05/31/7-brilliant-reasons-to-use-aspirin-in-the-garden/

It is definitely beneficial to always have some aspirins at the ready. Unfortunately, although using aspirin is a really good hack, they cannot always work wonders on indoor plants. Are your plants are struggling as they are not in the ideal location or do not have the correct light? If you want plants to always look in tip-top condition, investing in top quality faux plants is definitely the perfect solution!