Keep Slugs Away from Plants with This Simple $8 Two-Item Hack

For gardeners, there’s nothing worse than pesky pests that want to eat up your plants. Slugs can be particularly bothersome because they love to munch on leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, and stems.

Fortunately, we have a two-item hack to help keep them at bay! If you enjoy a salt-rimmed margarita, you’ll especially love this one.

Here we go!

This hack works best for potted plants

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While this hack can work for plants in the ground (which we’ll totally talk about later!), it’s best for potted plants that are literally (and figuratively) bugged by slugs that keep coming back to wreak more havoc.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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So, it’s not ideal to have your plant in the pot yet in order to avoid a big mess all over your green friend. However, if your poor potted plant is already settled in its dwelling place, try to do this hack extra carefully.

Luckily, there’s not much more to this hack than two ingredients: salt granules and vaseline. We love a hack that’s simple while having the power to save a plant life.

This is the time to be frugal

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Plant hacks don’t have to break the bank — and this one definitely doesn’t. In fact, TikTok creative @bilgemehmet23 recommends using the cheapest salt you can get and we say, while you’re at it, get the cheapest vaseline, too. Together, they could cost as low as $8 total or less.

Just make sure you have enough salt and and vaseline to dust just below the rim of your pot. We’ll explain why next!

You’re basically making a plant margarita

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This is when things begin to get a little spicy (or more like salty in this case) because you’re slavering your vaseline around your pot. Make sure it’s a little under the rim of the pot and you have enough to spread it all the way around. It doesn’t have to be super thick; just spread enough to make the salt stick.

After the vaseline is spread out, it’s time to shake those salt granules out and all over the vaseline with a full and even distribution of salt that will really make the slugs regret messing with your plant baby. Did someone say it’s margarita time?

This works because salt is pretty lethal for slugs

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Slugs and salt do not mix well at all, as salt can kill slugs.

The BBC’s Science Focus Magazine explains that salt takes the moisture out of a snail, severely dehydrating it. It triggers an osmosis effect that basically makes the slug ooze out all of its goo until there’s no more slug. Kinda brutal, but also kinda necessary to save lil’ plantie.

This can work for plants in the ground

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While this method will not give you as many margarita vibes and may be a bit messier, it’s possible to use this hack for plants in the ground.

You’ll want to put your salt into a dish and bring it outside in the early morning or evening when the slugs come out to plot their reign of terror, put on your garden gloves, and then begin grabbing the slugs and plopping them on your salty dish to die.

If the idea of touching a slug is too cringe-worthy (don’t worry we get it), you can also just leave the plate near your plants and see how many slugs meet their salty end.

Be careful not to get salt on your plants or in your soil

While salt is a great tool for getting revenge on the slugs, it’s useless if you sprinkle it all over your plants, which will only cause them more problems.

If salt is applied to your plant or soil, a host of things can go wrong, including nutrient deficiency, toxic ions, a higher chance of burning in the sun, and other chemical complications.

Salt can cause plants to brown, wilt, drop leaves and even die. Basically, you’re fine if you just leave the salt for the slugs.

Avoid depending on this hack

As you know, we LOVE a good hack! But if this one feels like it’s becoming a weekly or even daily step, it may be time to consider a stronger solution.

This hack isn’t for major infestations of slug overlords, and if it’s not working after some considerable time, it’s probably time to hire a professional.

Some people find this hack a little cruel

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While slugs in the garden are enough to make any gardener a little bonkers, some believe that eliminating slug with salt is pretty harsh. If this hack doesn’t sit quite right with you and your affinity for the slugs, there may be some less lethal alternatives.

Things like copper tape and certain herbs, including lavender, mint, borage, thyme, and others, repel slugs without obliterating them. They simply don’t like those things, and chemical elements, like copper, can even limit their diets, slime production, and reproductive systems.

What do you think?

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Being a plant parent isn’t always easy, especially when slugs sliver into your garden and gobble up your plant kids. However, this hack can level the playing field and give the garden back to the plants.

In the comments, please let us know what you think of this hack and if you plan to try it (or an alternative we mentioned).