People Are Putting Soap in Their Garden — Here’s Why

It’s officially gardening season, and I’m already excited to see my flower beds and the pots on my porch sprout with vibrant blooms. I’m not the only one who’s excited, though: Pests are coming out of the woodwork to nibble on gardens. And you, like me, may be looking for creative ways to keep them away from your beloved plants. 

One hack that’s popular online is putting soap in your garden to keep animals and bugs away. I had to find out if this hack really worked. Here’s what I learned.

I saw this handy gardening tip in action in a video posted by JR Wider. He explains how the soap helps keep deer away from the flowers. Another TikTok user had the same results, using Irish spring soap in their yard to deter deer, while user @andrethefarmer rubs soap on his hands and into his fingernails before gardening to repel insects and keep his hands clean. 

Some animals do not like strong scents, which can make flower pots with soap in them less tempting to investigate. Kyle Turner, founder and CEO of Pro Active Pest Control, says putting bar soap in flower pots or gardens can work if the soap has a heavy scent, which can keep animals like deer, squirrels, and rabbits away. However, for insects like aphids or spider mites, you’ll want to spray something directly on them instead of just leaving a soap bar around. “Diluted soap sprays can help because soap breaks down their outer coating and dehydrates them,” Turner explains.

If you use typical bar soap, like the one in your shower caddy, it’s best to put the most distance between it and your plant as possible. As the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences explains, many household soaps contain sodium compounds that could harm plants and build up in the soil. Something else to keep an eye on: All those soap suds produced from heavy or prolonged rain. “Lathering soap runoff in the soil can affect pH and disrupt the microbial activity plants depend on,” Turner explains.

It’s crucial to select the right type of soap to help with this gardening hack, as some soaps can harm plants. Dish soap, specifically, can be problematic because it’s technically a detergent and not a true soap. According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, detergent soaps are caustic and can damage a plant’s outer protective layer, turning their leaves brown and crispy. 

Several people have shared their faux pas with using dish soap on plants online, including one Reddit user who shared photos of their plants’ burnt leaves just two days after spraying dish soap on them. Mistakes happen, of course, but it’s a good reminder that not all soaps are plant-friendly. 

If you want to use soap as a more natural bug deterrent, it’s best to use soaps that are specifically made for garden use and clearly labeled as such. The Home Garden Education Office within the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources says insecticidal soaps are more plant-friendly options for fighting off bugs like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. 

Yes, with the right soap and some caution. To test if a fragranced bar of soap will keep animals from snacking on your favorite bloom, place it near the edge of the pot to reduce the chances of direct contact with the plant. Check on the plant each day and look for signs of damage, such as discoloration and brown, crispy leaves, and remove the soap immediately if your plant is harmed. 

Also, if you’re expecting heavy or prolonged rain, remove the soap from the pot so the runoff doesn’t impact the soil too much. If you don’t want to risk harming your plants, the University of Florida notes several other natural options gardeners could try, including the following: 

• Dried coffee grounds
• Water mixed with essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus
• Plants and herbs that are naturally repellent to pests, including lavender and mint

Another solution for protecting your garden from animals is fencing in the area or investing in some netting.