If the thought of pouring vinegar on your succulents is akin to running your nails down a blackboard, you’ll be floored by the fact that this is something that many succulent owners actually do!
Vinegar’s acetic acid can damage succulent tissue; it is not a general-purpose succulent-care product.
Read on to understand the risks of using vinegar on succulent plants.
Vinegar can damage succulents
Vinegar can damage succulent tissue. Acetic acid acts as a nonselective contact herbicide; culinary strength does not establish a safe foliar dose. University of Illinois Extension.
Avoid vinegar on leaves, pests and seedlings
Do not use vinegar to clean succulent leaves, treat pests or fungi, or spray seedlings. The herbicidal action can damage the plant you are trying to protect. University of Illinois Extension.
Can I use vinegar on my succulent plant?
Routine vinegar application to succulent foliage or soil is not recommended. Keep acetic acid away from desired plants. University of Illinois Extension.
Use the right vinegar
Household and horticultural vinegars differ in strength, but neither is established here as a safe succulent treatment. Stronger herbicidal products are corrosive and require label-directed protection. University of Illinois Extension.
How much vinegar should I be using?
No generally safe dose is established here. Do not use trial-and-error acid additions as routine succulent care.
Damage from applying vinegar to succulents
Don’t let the thick skin of your succulents let you assume that spraying cannot damage your succulents.
Scarring develops surprisingly easily even on hardy plants like Aloe, jade, or euphorbia.
Most damage is cosmetic but fungal infections can take hold and kill the plant after vinegar applications.
Never let the vinegar dry on the plant. Often death from exposure to vinegar is delayed several months after the vinegar application.
Do not substitute another acid without guidance
Do not substitute another household acid without a measured water-quality problem and a qualified horticultural recommendation.
Rounding up
Keep vinegar off succulents. For care problems, check drainage, watering, light and the plant’s identity before choosing a treatment.