How To Make Onion Spray For Plants

Onion spray, a natural pest repellent derived from the humble onion, has gained recognition for its effectiveness in safeguarding plants while providing essential nutrients.

In this blog post, we will delve into the benefits of using onion spray in your garden, explore the pests it can combat, and provide you with a simple recipe to create your very own natural pest repellent.

Benefits of Onion Spray for Plants:

1. Natural Pest Repellent: Onion spray serves as a natural and chemical-free pest repellent, helping to protect your plants from a variety of common garden pests, including aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, and powdery mildew.
2. Source of Nutrients: Onions are a rich source of macro and micronutrients necessary for plant development. When you use onion spray, you not only deter pests but also provide your plants with essential nutrients, promoting their growth and overall health.
3. Easy Preparation: Creating onion spray is a straightforward process that requires minimal ingredients – onion skin and water. It’s a cost-effective and simple solution for pest control in your garden.
4. Versatile Usage: Onion spray can be used both preventively and as a treatment for heavily infested plants. This versatility allows you to adapt your pest control strategy based on the specific needs of your garden.
5. Safe and Eco-Friendly: Onion spray is safe for your plants, the environment, and beneficial insects. It does not harm the ecosystem in your garden and is an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, promoting sustainable gardening practices.

Pests that Onion Spray is Effective Against

Onion spray is particularly effective against several common garden pests. These include:

1. Aphids: These tiny, sap-sucking insects can wreak havoc on your plants. Onion spray serves as a natural deterrent against aphids, helping protect your garden’s greenery.
2. Mealybugs: Another troublesome pest, mealybugs, can be deterred by the use of onion spray. This helps prevent the damage they cause to leaves and stems.
3. Caterpillars: Caterpillars can devour plant leaves, leaving them riddled with holes. Onion spray can discourage these voracious feeders from feasting on your plants.
4. Powdery Mildew: Fungal infections like powdery mildew can harm your plants. Onion spray can aid in preventing the development of such fungal diseases.

Onion Spray Recipe

Creating your own onion spray is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step recipe:

Ingredients:

• Skin of three large onions
• 1 liter of water

Instructions:

1. Gather the skin of three large onions. While garlic skin can also be added for extra potency, this recipe focuses solely on onion skin.
2. Place the onion skin in a pot and bring it to a boil for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps extract the repellent properties from the onion skin.
3. Allow the mixture to cool down, and then strain it to remove any solid particles.
4. Your homemade onion spray is ready for use.

Usage Tips:

• For severe pest infestations, dilute one glass of onion liquid with two glasses of water and apply it directly to the affected plants.
• For preventive measures, dilute one glass of onion liquid with four glasses of water and apply it to the leaves and stems.
• It’s best to spray early in the morning or late in the day, avoiding the peak heat hours.
• Apply the spray once or twice a week, as needed, to maintain pest control.

Further reading

I’ve created a list of several types of homemade organic sprays that provide nutrients or protect plants from pests and diseases. Check the post below for this list.

• 21 Organic Homemade Garden Spray For Plants