Cinnamon is a very popular spice in the kitchen. But can ground cinnamon also be used as a pesticide or against ants in the garden?
Cinnamon is often only known to us as ground cinnamon for seasoning in the kitchen. The spice is obtained from the peeled and dried bark of the cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum). In some cases, the wafer-thin bark is peeled off the tree or the thin pieces of bark fall off the tree themselves. For the drying process, several pieces of bark are placed on top of each other and rolled up to form the well-known cinnamon sticks. These can finally be ground into cinnamon powder - the starting product for alternative plant protection and pest control measures of an ecological nature. In the following we will take a closer look at how cinnamon is supposed to help against plant pathogens and ants.
Cinnamon can not only spread a Christmassy scent: It can also be useful for us as a pesticide, repellent against annoying insects or for rooting cuttings.
Cinnamon against mold and co.
Even scientific studies confirm that treatment with cinnamon has an effect against fungal pathogens. Thus, under laboratory conditions, a development-inhibiting effect of the components of cinnamon powder against the development of gray mold (Botrytis cinera) and various species of the genus Phytophthora was established. It can alleviate the pressure of the fungal infestation if the plants are sprayed or even watered with a solution consisting of cinnamon powder and water as a precaution, but also if the infestation has already occurred.
How to properly prepare the cinnamon solution for use in the garden:
- One level teaspoon of ground cinnamon…
- Dissolve in 5 liters of warm water…
- leave for a few hours…
- and the cinnamon solution is ready for use as a plant protection agent.
Due to the development-inhibiting effect on fungal pathogens, cinnamon is suitablealso for use with specially grown seedlings directly after germination. Here the ground spice can help against the dreaded damping-off of the seedlings and thus ensure an improved propagation rate. Here you don't necessarily have to prepare a brew and spray the cinnamon as a solution, you can also sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the seedlings with a steady hand.
In addition, cinnamon can also act against mold on the substrate surface. Here, too, it is completely sufficient to sprinkle the cinnamon powder on the substrate in the pot and to moisten it a little at the same time with the watering.
Cinnamon against animal pests and ants
Cinnamon powder on the substrate surface is said to help against the unwelcome fungus gnats as well. The aromatic powder on the substrate surface interrupts the cycle of the small flying animals and prevents them from hatching out of the ground and thus from multiplying. Here you can find out more about how to fight fungus gnats with home remedies.
Cinnamon can also be used against ants (Formicidae). As a powder or 10% oil, it has a deterrent effect on various species of ants. Of course, this has not yet been proven for all types of ants - but the spice is said to have a high potential as a "repellent" for ants. It's always worth a try. In order to optimize the effect, any existing traces of pheromone must be removed: A sharp cleaning agent that is also intensely odorous is perfectly suited to erasing the scent trail along the ant trail. Then cinnamon powder or cinnamon oil is spread in strips about 5 cm wide where the ants are undesirable - for example on patio doors, cracks in the wall or on windows. If cinnamon is distributed at the entrance to an ant cave, the colony can also be resettled, so that a nest can be pushed back from the terrace, for example. Here's everything you need to know about how to fight ants with cinnamon. As an alternative, we recommend our Plantura ant repellent, which not only deters ants, but also combats them.
Cinnamon as rooting powder and growth retardant
When propagating cuttings, depending on the species, you can promote the rooting of the cuttings by dipping the cut surfaces in cinnamon powder. Rapid rooting results and impressive propagation rates are reported in some places in the hobby area through the use of cinnamon powder. Cinnamon is said to heal woundsaccelerate and also stimulate root formation. The combination can therefore make cinnamon a real alternative to rooting hormones that are prohibited and not permitted anyway.
On the other hand, scientific studies have found that cinnamon can also have a growth-inhibiting effect on certain plants - such as tomatoes or garden cress. The use of cinnamon in the garden should therefore be treated with caution in order not to unintentionally achieve the opposite effects.
If you prefer not to use cinnamon outside of the kitchen, here are some home remedies for garden pests.