Houseplant hacks: is activated charcoal good for pot plants?

"Activated charcoal works by adsorption, trapping impurities on its porous surface. In a closed terrarium, it can slow the buildup of gases and bacteria, but this does not translate to standard houseplant pots."

"After two months, there was no difference in root health, soil odour or plant growth between the two batches of repotted plants, one with charcoal and one without."

"In a pot with drainage holes and regular watering, excess water drains out, so charcoal just sits there, slowly becoming saturated, adding cost without much benefit."

Activated charcoal is often recommended for plant care, promising to filter toxins and promote healthy roots. However, its effectiveness in standard houseplant pots is questionable. In a test comparing repotted plants with and without charcoal, no differences in root health, soil odor, or plant growth were observed after two months. In pots with drainage, excess water drains out, preventing charcoal from functioning effectively. Thus, while useful in closed systems like terrariums, activated charcoal offers little value in typical houseplant care.

Read at www.theguardian.com