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If you ever made oobleck as a kid, you’re aware of cornstarch’s almost uncanny ability to absorb water. Whether your goal is to create a non-Newtonian fluid or to thicken your Thanksgiving gravy, cornstarch has your back. What you might not know is that this magical powder can work miracles for your potted plants as well. Mixing a bit of cornstarch into your potting soil can help with water retention.
Adding cornstarch to your potting soil for moisture retention means you’ll need to do less watering. Of course, this has the added benefit of saving water and making your horticulture practice a bit easier on the environment. If you tend to forget to water your plants until it’s too late, adding cornstarch to their potting soil each season may be just the gardening hack you need. Grab yourself a plant, a pot, some potting soil, and a carton of cornstarch to get started.
How to use cornstarch to help your plants retain water
Using cornstarch to help your plants retain water is easy. Simply mix in a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch for each gallon of potting soil. For best results, repeat this process each season or whenever you repot your plant. Every time to add water to the soil, the cornstarch granules will hold onto their moisture longer than the soil alone would. As a result, you’ll be able to skip some of your routine waterings. Just stick your finger into the soil to check whether or not it remains moist to determine when you should water next.
There are a plethora of other ways to use cornstarch to transform your garden. From simple water retention to pest control and soil fertilization, there’s no end to what this inexpensive pantry staple can do for your indoor and outdoor plants. Stock up on Amazon for just $2.06 per one-pound carton.
