Cinnamon might be best known for spicing up your morning toast or favorite dessert, but this humble pantry staple has some incredible hidden powers in the garden.
That’s right, the same cinnamon you sprinkle on your latte can help protect plants, stop pests, and even boost growth, all without harsh chemicals.
In this post, you’ll discover 11 amazing cinnamon uses in your garden that are simple, natural, and surprisingly effective.
Whether you’re battling fungus, bugs, or just want healthier seedlings, cinnamon might be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. Keep reading to unlock its garden-friendly superpowers!
#1 Control Wild Mushrooms
Image Credits: Horticulture
Wild mushrooms popping up where they’re not welcome? Cinnamon can help.
Just sprinkle it over the soil where mushrooms tend to grow. It won’t harm your plants but will slow down the spread of those unwanted fungi.
#2 Repel Fungal Diseases
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Cinnamon is a natural antifungal, which makes it perfect for preventing diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spots.
Mix a few teaspoons of cinnamon into warm water, let it sit overnight, strain it, and spray it on your plants. It’s a gentle but powerful way to fight fungal trouble.
#3 Protect Seedlings from Diseases
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Seedlings are extra vulnerable to damping-off disease, which causes them to wilt and collapse.
To prevent this, dust a little cinnamon on the soil surface after planting. It’ll help keep fungal pathogens at bay as your baby plants grow strong.
#4 Propagate Cuttings
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If you’re growing new plants from cuttings, cinnamon can act as a rooting hormone. Dip the cut end into water, then roll it in cinnamon before planting.
This reduces the chance of infection and helps the cutting root successfully.
#5 Block Rust with Cinnamon
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Rust is another fungal infection that can damage your garden. To stop it from spreading, sprinkle cinnamon into the soil when planting.
It’s an easy step that offers big protection, especially for vegetables and flowers prone to rust spots.
#6 Deter Ants
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Ants really dislike the scent of cinnamon. If they’re invading your garden beds or crawling onto your plants, just sprinkle a line of cinnamon where they travel. It creates a barrier they usually won’t cross.
#7 Deter Flying Bugs
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Cinnamon powder can also help deter flying bugs like mosquitoes and gnats. Lightly dust it around the garden seating areas or plant beds. It works like a natural bug shield and smells great, too.
#8 Heal Bug Bite
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Gardeners are easily bitten by bugs or insects when working in the garden. If you get nipped by mosquitoes or garden bugs, make a quick paste of cinnamon and honey. Dab it on the bite to reduce itching and inflammation.
It’s an old remedy, but it works like a charm.
#9 Use on Indoor Plants
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Not only plants in the garden, but your indoor plant also gets benefits from cinnamon. Getting rid of whiteflies, spider mites, and other pests easily by sprinkling the cinnamon powder around your plants and on the affected area.
It also helps prevent mold and mildew from forming on damp soil.
#10 Repel Squirrels and Rabbits
Image Credits: Almanac
Small animals like squirrels and rabbits dislike strong smells. Sprinkle cinnamon around plants or garden beds you want to protect.
It gently irritates their noses without harming them, so they’ll stay away.
#11 Heal Plant Wounds
If a plant stem breaks or you prune a branch, you can use cinnamon to help it heal.
Dust the cut area with cinnamon powder. It protects the wound from infection and speeds up the recovery process.
