4 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Fungal Disease in Your Plants

Fungal diseases rank among the most common and frustrating problems gardeners face. Whether it's the powdery white coating of mildew, the dark, persistent patches of black spot, or the soggy losses from damping off, these infections can weaken even the healthiest plants. Fortunately, you don't need harsh chemicals or costly products to control most garden fungi. A few nontoxic, inexpensive remedies and some simple cultural changes, such as fresh mulch, a properly set-up drip system, and good sanitation, can help you keep fungi at bay and restore your garden's life.

In this guide, we share four natural home remedies that effectively combat a range of common fungal diseases in the garden. We'll also provide you with some helpful tips on prevention, application, and when to seek stronger interventions.

Remedy 1: Baking Soda and Soap or Oil Spray

The combination of baking Soda and Oil Spray is great for treating powdery mildew and many leaf fungi. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) alters soil surface pH, creating conditions unfavorable for fungal spores to germinate. When combined with a light horticultural oil or mild liquid soap, it sticks to the leaf surface and boosts effectiveness without burning foliage when used correctly.

What you need

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
• 1 quart (about 1 liter) of water.
• 1 tablespoon horticultural oil or 1-2 teaspoons mild liquid soap (castile or insecticidal soap).
• Spray bottle.

Recipe and Application

1. Mix the baking soda into the water, then add the oil or soap and shake to dissolve.
2. Test one or two leaves first and wait 48 hours to check for sensitivity (especially on thin or tender foliage).
3. Spray affected leaves thoroughly every 7-10 days until symptoms improve. For severe cases, apply every 5 days. Spray in the morning so the leaves dry quickly.
4. Apply preventatively to susceptible plants, such as roses, cucurbits, and many ornamentals during humid weather.

Tips and Cautions

• Avoid using more than one teaspoon of baking soda per quart because higher concentrations can harm plants.
• Do not use this on sulfur-sensitive crops (some grapes and a few ornamentals) without testing.
• Because this is nontoxic and inexpensive, it's ideal for home gardeners who prefer natural approaches.

Remedy 2: Garlic + Neem Infusion

Garlic plus neem infusion is useful for early infections and soil-borne problems. Garlic's allicin delivers natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, and neem oil enhances protection while helping the mixture adhere to plant surfaces. In combination, they form a gentle yet effective defense against many garden fungi.

What you need

• Take 6-8 fresh garlic cloves.
• 1 liter (about 1 quart) of water.
• 1 tablespoon neem oil (or 1 teaspoon neem concentrate + soap).
• A small amount of liquid soap (optional, as an emulsifier).
• Blender and fine strainer or cheesecloth.

Recipe and Application

1. Crush the garlic cloves and blend with a cup of water to make puree.
2. Strain the puree through cheesecloth and stir the liquid into the remaining water.
3. Add neem oil and a few drops of mild soap to emulsify, then pour into a spray bottle.
4. Spray foliage, stems, and soil surface. For soil-borne fungi such as damping off, drench the seedling area lightly (avoid waterlogging).
5. Reapply the mixture every 7-10 days or after heavy rain.

Remedy 3: Milk

Milk-based foliar sprays are effective against powdery mildew and a few leaf-spot pathogens. Milk's antifungal activity appears linked to proteins that, when exposed to sunlight, produce free radicals that disrupt fungal cells. Low-cost and widely available, milk sprays are particularly popular for controlling powdery mildew.

What you need

• 1 part milk (whole milk or skim) to 9 parts water (10% solution).
• Transfer to a spray bottle.

Recipe and Application

1. Mix the milk and water, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and shake well.
2. Spray thoroughly on both upper and lower leaf surfaces once a week and increase to twice weekly when disease pressure is high.
3. Spray in the morning to allow rapid drying.

Tips and Cautions

• Keep the mix at or below 10% milk to reduce the risk of unpleasant odors or residue.
• Milk spray works best as a preventative and early treatment option. For severe infections, repeat applications and remove severely damaged
• An inexpensive, safe choice that's great for edible plants and ornamentals.

Remedy 4: Compost Tea / Chamomile or Cinnamon Soil Dips

This remedy is for roots, seedlings, and damping off. Healthy soil helps to suppress pathogenic fungi. Compost tea introduces beneficial microbes into the soil that outcompete or inhibit fungal pathogens, while chamomile and cinnamon offer natural antifungal properties, making them useful for seedling dips or mixing into potting media.

What you need for compost tea

• One-part well-aged, high-quality compost.
• Non-chlorinated water (10 parts).
• A bucket and aeration (an aquarium pump works well).
• Optional: a small handful of molasses to feed microbes.

Recipe and Application (compost tea)

1. Place compost in a porous bag (or directly) into a bucket of non-chlorinated water.
2. Maintain continuous aeration for 12–24 hours and add a tablespoon of molasses if desired to boost microbial growth.
3. Strain the liquid and apply it to leaves or soil. Use immediately for best results.

What you need for the chamomile/cinnamon dip

• Use a strong chamomile tea (let it cool) or mix 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into each gallon of water.
• Provide an appropriately sized dipping container or tray.

Recipe and Application (seedling dip)

1. Briefly dip seedling roots just before transplanting in chamomile tea or a weak cinnamon solution (cinnamon acts as a mild antifungal dust).
2. Transplant and ensure proper drainage to avoid overwatering.

Tips and Cautions

• Use compost tea from fully cured compost to avoid introducing pathogens and avoid "hot" (fresh) compost.
• Compost tea helps build plant resilience rather than a quick cure. Combine it with cultural practices for the best control.

Practical Cultural Steps (Prevention is the best cure)

Use these simple practices alongside the recipes to greatly reduce fungal disease risk:

• Improve airflow: Space plants evenly, prune crowded growth, and plant in rows oriented to prevailing winds.
• Water wisely: Use a drip system or soaker hoses so leaves stay dry, as fungi love wet leaf surfaces. Irrigate the base early in the day.
• Mulch smartly: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to reduce soil splash that spreads spores but keep mulch a few inches away from stems to avoid trapping moisture.
• Sanitation: Promptly remove and dispose of infected leaves and plant debris. Clean garden tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a diluted bleach solution.
• Choose resistant varieties: When buying seeds or transplants, prioritize disease-resistant seeds or transplants.
• Avoid overhead watering at night: Leaves that remain wet overnight provide a perfect environment for fungal growth.

Signs you should use more aggressive control

• Rapid spread even after treatment.
• Symptoms (wilting, dieback) of diseases affecting more than a few leaves.
• Repeated seedling losses.

If you notice any of these symptoms, consider consulting your local extension service or a plant expert for diagnosis. In some cases, selecting a resistant cultivar or a targeted fungicide is the only way to save high-value plants.

Common Fungal Problems and Which Remedy to Use

• Powdery mildew: Treat with baking soda or milk sprays and increase airflow around plants.
• Black spot (roses): Use a baking soda plus oil spray, keep the area clean, and add fresh mulch.
• Damping off (seedlings): Dip seeds or seedlings in chamomile or cinnamon solutions, use compost tea, sterile seed-starting mix, and avoid overwatering.
• Leaf spots and common fungal infections: Apply a garlic and neem infusion and follow up with compost tea to restore beneficial microbes.

Types of Fungal and Fungal-like Diseases in Plants!

Important Safety and Storage Notes

• The listed remedies are nontoxic and safe for home gardens, including in areas accessible to children and pets when used as directed.
• Store homemade sprays in a cool place and use within 1-2 weeks; compost tea should be prepared and applied immediately.
• Clearly label all containers to avoid accidental ingestion or misuse.
• For edible crops, a short wash after harvest removes any remaining traces. These natural treatments generally leave much lower residues than conventional fungicides.

Quick Takeaway of the Above Remedies

• Baking Soda Spray: Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in one quart of water and add 1 tablespoon horticultural oil (or 1-2 teaspoons liquid dish soap).
• Garlic + Neem: Blend and strain 6-8 crushed garlic cloves into 1 quart of water, then mix in 1 tablespoon neem oil with a little emulsifying soap.
• Milk Spray: Mix one part milk with 9 parts water; apply once a week.
• Compost Tea: Mix 1-part Well-aged compost to 10 parts non-chlorinated water, aerate 12–24 hours, strain, and use immediately.

The Bottom Line

Fungal problems typically indicate issues with the growing environment rather than isolated events. Use these safe, low-cost natural remedies in conjunction with proactive practice measures, such as proper irrigation (using a drip system), fresh mulch, effective weed control, good airflow, and sanitation, to build a garden that naturally resists disease.

Start early, treat immediately, and inspect regularly. Remember, a few minutes of prevention each week can prevent disease headaches that can take weeks to resolve.