Have you ever wondered if black pepper would help your plants thrive? Black pepper can be used on plants as a pesticide and repellent which helps keep plants healthy.
Black pepper acts as a natural antibacterial agent for plants. Biologically, it’s an essential spice and its secondary metabolites are used as insecticides and bacterial agents. Black pepper water can be used as a spray to treat fungus infestations because of its intense aromatic properties. Mixed in garden soil, it will prevent insects, larvae, or ants.
Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned green thumb, there’s always something to learn about the art of growing plants.
There are many organic ways of growing healthy plants and black pepper has been shown to be very effective in doing so which we will discuss further in this article as well as how to efficiently use it.
What are The Benefits of Using Black Pepper on Plants?
Piper nigrum, a botanical name for black pepper, is a perennial climbing vine of the Piperaceae family. The black pepper has a 30-year-long life span. The peppercorn is considered the king of all spices worldwide due to its pungent property.
Black pepper has had great importance for ages due to its medicinal applications. However, it is equally beneficial for plants as well. A healthy plant can only grow smoothly when the natural environment for its growth is favorable.
Insects, ants, bugs, and unwanted herbs all damage plants badly. For all these problems, black pepper provides a natural solution. It can do much more than just a food flavoring agent. Some benefits for plants are discussed below:
Use as an Insecticide:
Black pepper (Piper nigrum L. or Piperaceae family) has been used as an insecticide against bacteria, fungi, and insects owing to its unique composition of volatile oils, tannin, and a high percentage of alkaloids (Pirrolizidine alkaloids).
The insecticidal properties of this spice are attributed to its three most active constituents namely:
- Piperine
- Piperylin
- Capsaicine
Mix water and black pepper powder and spray it around your plants. The spray will not harm the plant; only the pepper smell will continue to linger around it.
Water from spray evaporates, and pepper stays on the leaves and gives its effect. Pepper smell irritates insects, so it helps in keeping away from plants.
Furthermore, black pepper, when sprinkled with powdered sugar and placed in the Molasses jar, is said to keep off Beetles and Moths. This combination can be used on Apple Trees but is not intended for sweet fruits such as Peaches and Plums.
Ant Repellent
Ants cause severe damage to plants, and black pepper proves fatal to them.
Add a thin layer of Piper nigrum around the plant or at the edges of a flower bed. You will notice a reduction in ants in a few days.
Secondly, add black pepper powder to the soil. This will stop ants from entering the plant pot and channel making in the sand.
Using black pepper water spray is better than adding it to the soil because the spray also kills other insects.
The hot flavor of black pepper makes it a natural for killing ants, fleas, and other crawling insects.
Antibacterial Property
Did you know that black pepper has antibacterial properties as well? Researchers have found that spraying black pepper or its oil on plants helps prevent the spread of diseases.
Black pepper contains piperine, an antibacterial chemical that prevents the growth of molds and bacteria in plants. The spiciness of black pepper can kill molds without the use of chemicals or pesticides, preventing the spread of diseases and blemishes.
Fungal and bacterial infestations are common in plants. When black pepper is mixed in the soil, it breaks down into different nutrients and has an antibacterial effect, which can protect plants and also boost their nutrition.
For centuries, humans have enjoyed the benefits of black pepper as an antibacterial agent. Researchers think that the antibacterial properties of black pepper may be used to help fight off plant bacterial diseases including stem canker, bacterial blight, and leaf spot.
Protection From Pets
If your dog, cat, or other pets create a problem with your garden plant, no issue at all. Now a better solution available is black pepper spray. Many animals do not like the fragrance of black pepper.
When you spray black pepper on your garden plants or mix in soil, all pets will stay away from your plants and help you. This tactic will also work for outside plants to protect them from other animals.
In addition to black pepper, I use bliss pure neem oil from amazon which comes at a great price. It provides an additional layer of protection for plants against known pests.
I use bliss pure neem oil from Amazon for a great price. It works great when it comes to shining leaves and provides a layer of protection for plants against known pests.
How To Make a Black Pepper Pest Repellent?
Many pest repellents are available, but black pepper is a naturally occurring pest repellent. This powerful insecticide is used in the following form to keep bugs away from plants;
Insecticidal Spray
Making black pepper spray is not difficult at all. Just add half a teaspoon of black pepper to the warm water and mix them. The spray is ready, shower it on the plant leaves, and all larvae will just go away. The spray has the same effect on ants, which can be kept away with just a sprinkle.
Mixing in Soil
You can get benefits by mixing black pepper in the soil. Just a fine line of black pepper around the plant will help.
You can also add pepper about three inches deep in the earth to keep ants and bugs away.
What Pests Will Black Pepper Repel?
Many pests, insects, and their larvae can get repelled by the black pepper. Read the given list for a few names;
- Eastern tent caterpillar
- Pine sawflies
- Ants
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Scale
- R. Dominica
- S. Granarius.
- Rats
- Rabbits
Will Black Pepper Hurt The Plant?
Black pepper is used in the sprayed form usually. It does not hurt plants directly, only sprinkled pepper lingers on plants. From this smell, bugs, maggots, and ants are repelled while the plants remain unaffected.
In addition to saving newly born plants and flowers, this pepper spray will also kill beneficial insects.
Insects will re-enter the plant’s space after spraying for zero hours. If you mix wax in pepper spray, it will also wash off from plants. Cabbage leaves may wilt if hot wax pepper spray is applied to them.
Is Ground or Whole Black Pepper Better For Plants?
Black pepper is available in two forms:
- Ground black pepper, which is slightly high in price
- Unground or whole peppercorns which are relatively cheaper and budget-friendly
What is the rationale for placing a premium on whole peppercorns? If you grind them yourself, what’s the advantage over having them done by the manufacturer?
When pepper is freshly ground, it has more flavor than the pre-ground. Once you put pepper in the ground shaker, it oxidizes readily. After oxidation, flavor properties decrease.
Oxidation also causes a decrease in health benefits like digestion, cardiovascular activity, and fighting against infections. Freshly ground black pepper gives more flavor to your meals as well.
The Takeaway
- Black pepper has antibacterial properties that are used to treat a variety of fungal and bacterial illnesses.
- Bacteria will have a more challenging time developing in the soil if you mix pepper in the sand.
- The black pepper components will be absorbed by the plant, giving further defense.
- Freshly ground black pepper is preferred over pre-ground one. Because fresh one has more flavor, less oxidized form, it is a naturally powerful antibacterial with amazing effects.
