The Garlic Trick for Snake Plants: What It Really Does (And How to Use It Safely)
Garlic is one of those old-school home remedies that people swear by for plants — especially snake plants.
Some say it kills fungus.
Some say it scares away pests.
Others even claim it “boosts growth.”
But here’s the truth:
✅ Garlic can help snake plants in a very specific way
❌ and it can also ruin the soil fast if you do it wrong.
So in this full guide, you’ll learn:
- what garlic REALLY does for snake plants
- the safest indoor method (no smell, no rot)
- when garlic works best
- the mistakes that make the plant worse
- FAQ (6 questions + answers)
- final takeaway
First: Does Garlic Really Help Snake Plants?
Yes… but not in the magical way people think.
Garlic is NOT fertilizer.
It does not “feed” the plant.
But garlic contains natural compounds (like allicin) that can:
✅ slow down certain fungi and bacteria
✅ discourage some pests (like fungus gnats)
✅ help sanitize soil lightly if used correctly
So garlic doesn’t “make the plant grow”…
It helps create a cleaner environment, which helps the snake plant recover and push new growth normally.
What Garlic REALLY Does (The Truth)
✅ 1) It can reduce fungus in the soil
Garlic has natural antifungal properties.
That’s why many people use garlic water for:
- white mold on top soil
- fungus gnats (a bit)
- sour smelling soil
But only if you use small controlled amounts.
✅ 2) It can discourage pests (indoor)
Garlic smell is unpleasant to many insects.
It can discourage:
- fungus gnats
- tiny soil bugs
- some mites (mild effect)
This is useful for indoor plants where chemical sprays are not wanted.
✅ 3) It can help after rot cleanup (only as support)
If you removed rotted roots and repotted…
garlic water can help keep soil cleaner during recovery.
But garlic does NOT “cure root rot.”
Root rot is mainly caused by wet soil + no drainage.
When Garlic Works Best on Snake Plants
Garlic works best in these situations:
✅ white fuzzy mold on topsoil
✅ fungus gnats problem
✅ plant recovered from rot and soil needs gentle protection
✅ smell of stale/wet soil
It does NOT work well for:
❌ turning yellow leaves green
❌ making pups appear
❌ fixing overwatering without changing soil
❌ “boosting growth fast”
The Safe Indoor Garlic Method (Step-by-Step)
✅ Method 1 (Best): Garlic Water (Low-Risk Indoor Fix)
This is the safest method that works indoors without destroying your plant.
What you need:
- 1 garlic clove (fresh)
- 1 liter (4 cups) water
- strainer
- spray bottle OR watering cup
Steps:
- Crush 1 clove of garlic (don’t use powder)
- Add it to 1 liter of water
- Let it sit 6–12 hours only
- Strain the water (important)
- Use it like this:
- spray the top soil lightly OR
- water only a small area around the soil edges
✅ Use 1 time only, then wait.
How often?
✅ once every 3–4 weeks max (only if needed)
✅ Method 2: Garlic Peel Top-Soil Trick (No Mess)
If you want mild pest control without watering:
- peel a garlic clove
- take small pieces of peel
- place them on top soil near edges
- remove after 3–5 days
✅ This is safer than putting raw garlic inside soil.
✅ Method 3: Garlic + Soil Refresh Combo (Most Effective)
If your soil has mold/gnats, do this:
- remove top 1–2 inches of soil
- replace with fresh dry cactus soil mix
- apply garlic water only once
This gives fast results because you remove the problem layer first.
What You Should NEVER Do (This Kills Snake Plants)
These garlic “tricks” are popular online but dangerous:
❌ Don’t bury garlic cloves inside soil
This causes:
- rot smell
- mold explosion
- fungus gnats
- damaged roots
Garlic decomposes fast and becomes food for fungus.
❌ Don’t use garlic every week
Too much garlic water can:
- burn roots slightly
- destroy good soil bacteria
- increase mold if soil stays wet
❌ Don’t use garlic without fixing drainage
If your pot has no drainage:
garlic won’t help. The plant will still rot.
The Real “Growth Booster” Setup (What Actually Makes Pups + Growth)
If you want snake plant pups and fast growth, garlic isn’t the secret.
These 4 things do it:
✅ 1) Bright indirect light
Near a window (not harsh sun)
✅ 2) Warm temps
Best: 20–30°C
✅ 3) Small pot (slightly tight roots)
Big pots slow growth
✅ 4) Proper watering
Water only when soil is completely dry
(usually every 2–4 weeks indoors)
Best Soil Mix for Healthy Snake Plants (Indoor)
Use this:
✅ 50% succulent/cactus mix
✅ 30% perlite
✅ 20% orchid bark or coco chips
This stops rot + keeps roots oxygen-rich.
FAQ — Garlic Trick for Snake Plants (6 Questions + Answers)
1) Can garlic make snake plants grow faster?
Not directly ❌
Garlic is not fertilizer. It may help indirectly by reducing fungus/pests so the plant grows normally.
2) Does garlic kill fungus gnats?
It can discourage them slightly ✅
But the real fix is:
- let soil dry fully
- use sticky traps
- change wet soil layer
3) Can I put garlic in the soil to stop root rot?
No ❌
Root rot is caused by wet soil. Garlic in soil can rot and make the problem worse.
4) How often can I use garlic water safely?
✅ once every 3–4 weeks (only when needed)
Never weekly.
5) Can garlic water burn snake plant roots?
Yes if too strong ✅
Always use 1 clove per 1 liter, and never leave it soaking longer than 12 hours.
6) What is better than garlic for fungus prevention?
These are safer:
✅ cinnamon dust (very light)
✅ fresh soil replacement
✅ better airflow + drying
✅ bottom watering method
Final Takeaway
Garlic can help snake plants, but only when used correctly:
✅ use diluted garlic water (strain it)
✅ apply lightly on top soil
✅ use only when mold/gnats are present
✅ never bury garlic cloves
✅ fix drainage + avoid overwatering
Garlic isn’t a “growth miracle”…
But it can be a smart indoor trick to keep soil clean and pest-free — safely.