Are mouthwashes like Listerine harmful to plants?

So far, there is no evidence or reports that suggest that mouthwash can be toxic to plants. On the contrary, there are mouthwash uses that are beneficial for the plants. For example, orchids, you can use Listerine on orchids suffering from bacterial infections and crown rot. Spray the undiluted mouthwash directly on the infected part. Also, spraying Listerine (follow the recipe in point number one) on roses affected by black spots helps to control this fungal disease.

1. Get Rid of Powdery Mildews and Other Fungal Infections

Mouthwash has strong anti-fungal properties. It can be used to get rid of powdery mildew and other fungal infections from your garden. For this, mix 75% of water and 25% of mouthwash to make a working solution and spray it on the infected parts.

2. Prevent Cats From Peeing

Most cats have this irritating habit of peeing on the furniture, in corners, or near the plants. You can use mouthwash to stop the problem of inappropriate urination. All you need to do is mix water and mouthwash in equal proportion (Or apply the mouthwash undiluted) and spray it at cat peeing sites. The smell may not be that subtle for a human nose, but it is too intense for the cats, and therefore they avoid the sprayed spots. *You can apply the same trick to dogs.

3. For Aphid Control

If you’re looking for a harmful-chemical-free way to control aphids, mouthwash can be an effective ingredient. Just add water and mouthwash in equal proportion and spray it on the plants suffering from aphid infestation. You can also add a similar amount of mild liquid dish soap to make this recipe even stronger.

4. Mouthwash Fertilizer

One of the quirkiest Listerine uses–you can make a homemade lawn fertilizer using other ingredients. Make a combination of mouthwash, Epsom salt, liquid dish soap, and Ammonia, 1 cup each, and a can of beer. Apply it using a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer. Use it once every three weeks!

Another Listerine fertilizer recipe has the following ingredients, 1 cup each–Mouthwash, Epsom salt, Ammonia, and mild liquid dish soap. Mix all of them well and transfer the fertilizer into a 20-gallon hose-end sprayer. Apply this to your trees, shrubs, and foliage plants like hostas, ferns, etc.

5. Listerine Mixture for Mosquitoes

Use Listerine to get rid of mosquitoes when you’re enjoying time outdoors. Mist the surrounding area and air around you, especially where mosquitoes are buzzing the most. Lightly mist it on your exposed skin as well. This is not as effective as commercial mosquito repellants and DEET, but it is safer and works because Listerine contains eucalyptol, a derivative of eucalyptus oil, in a low amount. *Eucalyptol is used as a key ingredient in Eucalyptus-based mosquito repellants.

6. Get Rid of Foul Odors

Get rid of foul odors in your garden using mouthwash. Make a solution of mouthwash and water in equal proportion and apply it at the affected site. This solution will kill the acting bacteria and other microorganisms that function in the rotting process and fill the place with a freshening smell.

7. Listerine to Disinfect Garden Tools

This is the last hack in our mouthwash uses garden. You can use Listerine to disinfect garden tools. Simply soak them for one minute, or spray full-strength Listerine on your smaller garden tools to disinfect them to prevent disease.

  • Donna Dawson
  • September 12, 2018 At 10:54 am
  • Who knew Listerine had so many uses. It is a permanent fixture on our bathroom but I was not aware it was so versatile. Fabulous post on the ingenious uses of Listerine. Thanks for sharing!
  • Reply
  • Brenda Alley
  • July 18, 2019 At 7:57 pm
  • Listerine rocks..also mix it with essential oils, Dawn, spray for pests on your Hosta’s
  • Reply
  • Kim
  • July 26, 2019 At 3:36 am
  • Thank you I needed this!
  • Reply
  • Angie Dailey
  • August 24, 2019 At 7:42 pm
  • I have a serious infestation & a widespread of fungus. I was thinking of adding it to my neem oil sprayer. Do u think this is bad choiice.??
  • Reply
  • Maria S.
  • August 4, 2021 At 12:50 am
  • Don’t add it to Neem oil, it will break it down and render it useless. However putting Listerine and water in the sprayer is OK.
  • Reply
  • Debbe’ Baker
  • August 25, 2019 At 4:23 pm
  • AMAZING INFORMATION ‼️‼️‼️
  • Thank you so much.
  • Reply
  • L
  • March 23, 2020 At 2:26 am
  • I mix with alcohol, aloe Vera, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil to make hand sanitizer. Use the yellow listerine.
  • Reply
  • Rosalind Wiechart
  • July 6, 2020 At 11:29 pm
  • does it have to be listening original or can you use cool mint..(i already have the cool mint)
  • Reply
  • Steph
  • September 13, 2020 At 4:07 am
  • Any work. I buy the store brand to spray the yard before parties to keep mosquitoes down. Don’t dilute it- just put in a small sprayer & go. :)
  • Reply
  • Rosalind Wiechart
  • July 6, 2020 At 11:30 pm
  • sorry, I meant listerine not listening
  • Reply
  • Mike S
  • August 5, 2020 At 8:36 pm
  • The brown Listerine works great on dogs with hotspots as well. Mine gets them once in a while so I shave the area to air it out and apply Listerine 2-3 times a day until it scabs up and then it heals within a week or so.
  • Reply
  • JETHRO PAUL RAYMER
  • October 6, 2020 At 6:38 pm
  • CAN YOU PLEASE SING ME UP FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER
  • Reply
  • Jennifer Persaud
  • October 7, 2020 At 9:24 pm
  • Thanks for the remedy i will tell my daughter
  • Reply
  • Mrs L.
  • November 22, 2020 At 9:29 pm
  • Thanks for the wonderful uses of listerine.
  • Reply
  • Willie Staley
  • December 14, 2020 At 2:38 am
  • Please sign me up for newsletter ?
  • Reply
  • fortnite skin generator
  • December 31, 2020 At 8:29 am
  • Excellent article. I will be experiencing many of these issues as well..|
  • Reply
  • Sue
  • January 26, 2021 At 7:47 am
  • Awesome! Orchids, Cats peeing in my flower beds and my dog gets seasonal hot spots. Will try them all.🌻
  • Reply
  • james munar
  • February 18, 2021 At 4:35 am
  • I learned a lot about tomatos
  • Reply
  • Wanda K Kingsley
  • May 6, 2021 At 3:09 am
  • Cats peeing is this also for cat spraying
  • Reply
  • Curious
  • May 24, 2021 At 8:10 am
  • Yes I would like to know that question too
  • Reply
  • Nancy Rankin
  • May 6, 2021 At 4:06 am
  • do you think it would stop squirrels from digging plants up
  • Reply
  • Deborah thornton
  • May 16, 2021 At 4:29 pm
  • Love all the ideas great I’ll sign up for the news letter👍🏾👌
  • Reply
  • Monica
  • August 24, 2021 At 2:59 am
  • Very informative, I will be using this for many of my problems cats to plants ending with a beautiful green lawn. Eliminating mosquitos from yard. Just from my Listerine, WOW, who new.
  • Reply
  • Rochelle
  • June 27, 2021 At 6:30 pm
  • Wow who knew
  • Reply
  • Jaice
  • July 2, 2021 At 6:50 pm
  • I have a hibiscus in the house that keeps getting whites flies and the eggs on it, will listerine work on it, willing to try anything
  • Reply
  • Kim Gerfen
  • July 24, 2021 At 11:34 pm
  • Thanks -very useful information. Sign me up for news letters.
  • Reply
  • Cansodak
  • July 25, 2021 At 12:06 am
  • I’ve used this formula (1cup each of Listerine, dish soap, Epsom salts, household ammonia and a bottle of beer) on my lawn for years. Put it in a hose end sprayer and spray at 25:1 over about 2500 sq ft. In 2 weeks you’ll have the greenest lawn you’ve ever had!
  • Reply
  • James Mac Seoras-Blair
  • July 26, 2021 At 4:30 am
  • I use Listerine in a small spray bottle as an under arm deodorant. Works brilliantly.
  • Reply
  • Karen
  • September 1, 2021 At 10:20 pm
  • Great ideals tsk use all the time
  • Reply
  • Jeannie
  • September 16, 2021 At 7:50 pm
  • Used it in the old days for face . Never had acne or any problem with break outs!!!
  • Reply
  • Eugenia
  • October 2, 2021 At 7:58 pm
  • Bună! Spune-mi te rog cum folosești Listerine pt fata, pt ten,pt acnee…
  • Reply
  • HAMEEDULLAH
  • September 21, 2021 At 3:37 pm
  • IT IS QUITE NEWTHING FOR ME AND FOR MANY OTHERS LIKE ME.I SHALL TRY IT BY MYSELF.THANKS FOR SHARING……..HAMEED [email protected]
  • Reply
  • Karl-Heinz
  • September 22, 2021 At 5:26 pm
  • Für Nagelpilz ist Listerine Hervorragend.
  • Reply
  • Ihmee Tan
  • September 23, 2021 At 8:27 am
  • Hi, is there anything i can use for termites. My trees been invaded by termites..i do not want to cut the tree because it gives good fruits..e.g. mango tree
  • Reply
  • Brenda Gilshenen
  • September 26, 2021 At 6:31 pm
  • Thank You for the Information. Very Interesting
  • Reply
  • Peggy Ochenrider
  • September 26, 2021 At 10:50 pm
  • Is listerine good on lavender plants ??
  • Reply
  • Susan Larrett
  • September 27, 2021 At 3:16 am
  • Thank you for this interesting and useful information. I too would like to be added to your newsletter list.
  • Reply
  • Haidee
  • September 29, 2021 At 1:54 am
  • Love to know what kind of DIY should i do to prevent mice/rat digging on the pots with flower/plant?
  • Reply
  • Scotty Norris
  • October 30, 2022 At 10:12 am
  • I used red pepper flakes around my plant’s and it stopped the rats from digging up my plant’s
  • Reply
  • Leonora Daroy
  • November 26, 2021 At 10:16 pm
  • Pls add me to your news letter
  • Reply
  • Linda
  • December 10, 2021 At 8:26 am
  • Will Listerine be affective as a spray to be used to eliminate those little tiny gnats I have everywhere I guess from of my house plants?
  • Reply
  • Kenny Teresa
  • April 15, 2022 At 3:54 pm
  • Can I use it around roses and clematis where cats digs up and poop and wee
  • Reply
  • Freda Corrigan
  • April 16, 2022 At 12:09 pm
  • Thank you very useful
  • Reply
  • Dorothy
  • April 16, 2022 At 4:38 pm
  • Does it have to be Listerine can it be one of the other mouth washes.
  • Reply

Who knew Listerine had so many uses. It is a permanent fixture on our bathroom but I was not aware it was so versatile. Fabulous post on the ingenious uses of Listerine. Thanks for sharing!

  • Kim
  • July 26, 2019 At 3:36 am
  • Thank you I needed this!
  • Reply

Listerine rocks..also mix it with essential oils, Dawn, spray for pests on your Hosta’s

Thank you I needed this!

  • Maria S.
  • August 4, 2021 At 12:50 am
  • Don’t add it to Neem oil, it will break it down and render it useless. However putting Listerine and water in the sprayer is OK.
  • Reply

I have a serious infestation & a widespread of fungus. I was thinking of adding it to my neem oil sprayer. Do u think this is bad choiice.??

Don’t add it to Neem oil, it will break it down and render it useless. However putting Listerine and water in the sprayer is OK.

AMAZING INFORMATION ‼️‼️‼️ Thank you so much.

I mix with alcohol, aloe Vera, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil to make hand sanitizer. Use the yellow listerine.

  • Steph
  • September 13, 2020 At 4:07 am
  • Any work. I buy the store brand to spray the yard before parties to keep mosquitoes down. Don’t dilute it- just put in a small sprayer & go. :)
  • Reply

does it have to be listening original or can you use cool mint..(i already have the cool mint)

Any work. I buy the store brand to spray the yard before parties to keep mosquitoes down. Don’t dilute it- just put in a small sprayer & go. :)

sorry, I meant listerine not listening

The brown Listerine works great on dogs with hotspots as well. Mine gets them once in a while so I shave the area to air it out and apply Listerine 2-3 times a day until it scabs up and then it heals within a week or so.

CAN YOU PLEASE SING ME UP FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER

Thanks for the remedy i will tell my daughter

Thanks for the wonderful uses of listerine.

Please sign me up for newsletter ?

Excellent article. I will be experiencing many of these issues as well..|

Awesome! Orchids, Cats peeing in my flower beds and my dog gets seasonal hot spots. Will try them all.🌻

I learned a lot about tomatos

  • Curious
  • May 24, 2021 At 8:10 am
  • Yes I would like to know that question too
  • Reply

Cats peeing is this also for cat spraying

Yes I would like to know that question too

do you think it would stop squirrels from digging plants up

  • Monica
  • August 24, 2021 At 2:59 am
  • Very informative, I will be using this for many of my problems cats to plants ending with a beautiful green lawn. Eliminating mosquitos from yard. Just from my Listerine, WOW, who new.
  • Reply

Love all the ideas great I’ll sign up for the news letter👍🏾👌

Very informative, I will be using this for many of my problems cats to plants ending with a beautiful green lawn. Eliminating mosquitos from yard. Just from my Listerine, WOW, who new.

Wow who knew

I have a hibiscus in the house that keeps getting whites flies and the eggs on it, will listerine work on it, willing to try anything

Thanks -very useful information. Sign me up for news letters.

I’ve used this formula (1cup each of Listerine, dish soap, Epsom salts, household ammonia and a bottle of beer) on my lawn for years. Put it in a hose end sprayer and spray at 25:1 over about 2500 sq ft. In 2 weeks you’ll have the greenest lawn you’ve ever had!

I use Listerine in a small spray bottle as an under arm deodorant. Works brilliantly.

Great ideals tsk use all the time

  • Eugenia
  • October 2, 2021 At 7:58 pm
  • Bună! Spune-mi te rog cum folosești Listerine pt fata, pt ten,pt acnee…
  • Reply

Used it in the old days for face . Never had acne or any problem with break outs!!!

Bună! Spune-mi te rog cum folosești Listerine pt fata, pt ten,pt acnee…

IT IS QUITE NEWTHING FOR ME AND FOR MANY OTHERS LIKE ME.I SHALL TRY IT BY MYSELF.THANKS FOR SHARING……..HAMEED [email protected]

Für Nagelpilz ist Listerine Hervorragend.

Hi, is there anything i can use for termites. My trees been invaded by termites..i do not want to cut the tree because it gives good fruits..e.g. mango tree

Thank You for the Information. Very Interesting

Is listerine good on lavender plants ??

Thank you for this interesting and useful information. I too would like to be added to your newsletter list.

  • Scotty Norris
  • October 30, 2022 At 10:12 am
  • I used red pepper flakes around my plant’s and it stopped the rats from digging up my plant’s
  • Reply

Love to know what kind of DIY should i do to prevent mice/rat digging on the pots with flower/plant?

I used red pepper flakes around my plant’s and it stopped the rats from digging up my plant’s

Pls add me to your news letter

Will Listerine be affective as a spray to be used to eliminate those little tiny gnats I have everywhere I guess from of my house plants?

Can I use it around roses and clematis where cats digs up and poop and wee

Thank you very useful

Does it have to be Listerine can it be one of the other mouth washes.

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