How Does Detergent Affect Plant Growth?

Overview

Although a low concentration of detergents may be beneficial for healthy plant growth. This depends on the type of detergent the gardener is using. On average, the volatile chemicals contained in most varieties will have a negative effect. Gardeners should be careful when applying detergent to a plant as it may risk the plant's overall health.

Ingredients

Chlorine bleach is the main ingredient that can endanger the overall health of a plant in most detergents. While small doses of sodium, potassium, boron and phosphate may help trigger plant growth due to being necessary nutrients, chlorine bleach is extremely lethal to plant life.

Benefits

Low concentration of detergent may help a plant in its natural biological processes. The nutrients contained will help the vitality of plant life and offer the plant greener, larger stems and leaves for a short period. Detergent has also been found to be a powerful insecticide and can help protect plants from infestation by coating the surface of the plant.

Dangers

Detergents containing bleach and other harmful ingredients can damage the soil structure and raise the pH alkalinity. The damaged soil will destroy the cell structure of roots, poison the plant and kill good bacteria available in the soil.

Considerations

In extreme circumstances, it is possible to use recycled laundry water, such as during a dangerous drought. Using potassium-based detergents will limit the consequences for plant life.

Warning

The full effects of plant damage through the use of detergent water are often unrepairable. Once a plant loses its ability to absorb nutrients through its roots, it will most likely die.