WHITE MOLD ON TERRA COTTA POTS | How to Remove and Prevent Mold Growth, by Shaine Frolicswithfoliage on YouTube. 4 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Take the plant out of its pot and set the root ball in a bowl so the roots do not dry out while you work.
Scrub the white or green patches off the dry pot with a stiff brush. Do this outside or over a bin, because the mold turns into fine dust.
Wash the pot in warm water with a few drops of dish soap, using the brush to reach the rim and the drainage hole.
Rinse well. For stubborn patches, soak the pot for 15 to 20 minutes in one part white vinegar to three parts water.
Scrub again, rinse with clean water, then leave the pot in the sun for a few hours until it is completely dry.
Repot the plant in fresh potting mix and water only when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry.
Keep air moving around the pot and do not let it sit in a full saucer of water, since standing damp is what feeds the mold.
If mold returns, spray the outside of the pot with neem oil mixed as the label says, then wipe off the leftover film.
Tips and common mistakes
Mold on the outside of a pot is usually harmless, but it is a sign the pot is staying too damp for too long.
Never seal terracotta with paint or varnish to hide the mold, because the pot needs to breathe.
Wear gloves if you use vinegar or bleach and rinse the pot very well before it goes back near roots.
Clean and dry spare pots fully before stacking them for storage, or the mold spreads between them.
Questions
Is white mold on terracotta pots dangerous for my plants?
Usually not. It feeds on damp organic matter and salts on the pot surface, and the plant itself is fine. It does tell you the soil is staying wet, which can harm roots over time.
Why does the mold keep coming back?
The spores are still in the soil and the pot stays damp. Water less often, empty the saucer, and give the plant more airflow to dry the pot between waterings.
Can I use bleach instead of vinegar?
Yes, a dilute household bleach solution works for a deep clean. Rinse the pot thoroughly and let it dry completely before you put a plant back in.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
