How to Grow Indoor Plants With Soda
- 1). Choose a brand of club soda or diet soda to feed your plants. Club soda is probably the better choice -- but never water a plant with regular or "sugar" soda drinks. According to the University of Southern California, the quantity of sugar in regular soda will cause congestion throughout the plant's vascular system, inhibiting the ability of the plant to take in water, which will lead to dehydration of the plant's tissues. Additionally, unabsorbed sugar in the soil can encourage the growth of molds and fungi, which will then compete with the plant for water and nutrients.
- 2). Allow the soda to reach room temperature before giving it to the plant. Fluids that are either too hot or too cold can damage fragile plant tissues.
- 3). Check the pH of the potting soil prior to giving soda to the plant. Club soda is mildly acidic, and diet soda is even more so. Adding it to the soil will alter the pH of the surrounding environment. Some plants thrive in acidic conditions, but others do not. Double check and confirm your plant's ideal pH range before pouring in the soda.
- 4). Pour soda slowly around the base of the plant, and then sprinkle more soda over the leaves, thoroughly dousing all visible vegetation. Stop adding soda when the fluid begins to seep from the bottom of the planter, as this is an indication of the soil being completely saturated. Normally plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air, but by adding carbonated water to their immediate surroundings, you are providing an instantly accessible source of nutrition.
- 5). Give plants soda once a week at most. Exposure to excessive quantities of carbon dioxide could hinder growth rather than promote it. Therefore, if you have plants that require frequent watering, use plain tap water rather than repeatedly adding soda water.
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