Will Vodka kill a houseplant?

Question

I thought there was only a glass a water sitting on the counter so instead of dumping it down the drain I poured it into a houseplant - a potted basil plant sitting in the window. I immediately smelled the vodka and remembered it was straight vodka. Will this kill the basil? I immediately poured lots of water into the plant trying to dilute the vodka but I'm still worried because its practically rubbing alcohol. I would prefer to get answers from someone experienced not general logic/guesses... I can do that myself.

Answer 1

It is possible it could damage the foliage but if you added water right away it should live.

Some people use diluted alcohol on plants as a means of killing fungus in the soil.

Answer 2

probably

Answer 3

most likely yes, it'll dehydrate it

Answer 4

You probably shouldn't have tried diluting it.  It'll be a nice little experiment!  Vodka leaves...yummm.

Answer 5

My mother used to put vodka on her dafodils to keep them from getting so long that they bowed over.  It stunted their growth so they were shorter.  I know you didnt want guesses but I thought that might help.

Answer 6

it will most likely kill the poor plant.  by trying to dilute it though you might have saved it.  But in the future, if you're going to pour something on a plant that's not water it better be orange juice.  That at least won't kill it but will give it some vitamins.

Answer 7

yes, but beer in your plant water is awsome for your plants.

Answer 8

Well, I know that I have used beer on my plants before and Jerry Baker does suggest that when you have a party to rinse any alachol containers out into a bucket and put that on the plant. I think it is good that you diluted it but, other than that...there is not much you can so other than watch the plant and water as usual. I know with beer it is the hops in the beer that is good for the soil. I am not quite sure with hard liquor but, you have done everything you could do for the plant so now it is watch and wait.

Answer 9

If the plant did not die within 24 hours, then you probably leached all the alcohol out of the roots.  Some alcohol will not hurt a plant--you can actually use alcohol (specifically diluted vodka!) to inhibit plant growth on purpose when you want to keep one small instead of letting it grow tall.  Basil is a delicate enough herb, but if your alcohol bath didn't already kill it, it probably will be fine. If you want, you can always remove the plant from the pot, rinse the entire root ball very thoroughly in cool water, then re-pot it with fresh dirt.

Answer 10

from what I know, just people.

Answer 11

Yes it will...

Answer 12

Vodka is not good for a plant. You will need to make sure and water it or maybe even replant it.

Fact: A cup of Room temp. coffee will help the plant.

Hope this helps!

Answer 13

it depends on the ph level of the vodka and wht tha plant takes and also the proof of vodka the normal is 80 proof which is 40 percent alcohol and i believe it wont kill it as long as u take good care of it

Answer 14

Depends on the size of the pot and plant, if large it won't die. Also pour lots of water to dilute the alcohol but once only.

Answer 15

....... (^)

D===O>      

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CHICKEN ATTACK

Answer 16

i thnk it will but only if you keep giving it vodka, plants are sturdy so if it's only this once ya know it might be able to live through it.

... i know for a fact that energy drinks kill plants as a i had a bonsai tree and gave it monster, stupidly, thinking it would grow big and buff. But it died.

Answer 17

who just leaves Vodka sitting around?

Answer 18

more than likely it won't kill it as long as you keep adding water

Answer 19

My guess is it will.

Answer 20

As a former botany major, I think I can provide a decent answer. The best thing you can do is replant the basil in fresh soil. By pouring excess water into the pot, you can actually drown the roots or cause them to rot if you leave it sitting.

What you should do is remove the plant from the soil, rinse the roots with cold water and place it in a glass with enough water for the roots to rest in while you prep the next step. Don't leave it like this too long. Get fresh soil and a clean pot and replant it. Give it a little water and you should be fine

Answer 21

yes it will because the alchahol is bad and you prabaly drowned it in water when you put the water in