Light Matches and plants—odd, right? But try to stick matchsticks to your succulent soil and you might be surprised at how well they thrive!
Pizza on pineapple is no match for this combination. Now, you may have heard hacks like using honey for your plants or burying rice in succulent pots, but matchsticks in the soil of your succulents sounds a bit too out there, doesn’t it? Well, no, because they can actually make your succulents grow like crazy. Check out how!
Why Stick Matchsticks Into Your Succulent Soil?
1. Unique Pest Deterrent
The most common problems you would see in succulents grown as houseplants are bacterial or fungal diseases, caused by overwatering and root rot. However, they, too, can get the occasional pest infestation, which is super harmful for your plant. While pests like scale and mealybugs show up more often, spider mites and fungus gnats can also sneak in.
Now, it is quite hard to spot the signs of these pesky bugs right away. They usually show up in poor-quality soil and absolutely love overly damp or overfertilized environments. This is where you need matchsticks, which will help you get rid of pests in a couple of weeks!
But here’s the thing—don’t rely only on matchsticks if the infestation is serious. In such cases, pair this trick with proper pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
2. Boosts Plant Growth
If you didn’t already know, matchsticks actually contain a lot of compounds that are important for plant growth! Surprising, right? These tiny sticks pack a punch—they contain sulfur, phosphorus, and sometimes a bit of magnesium and ferric oxide. Some even include red phosphorus depending on the brand.
Now, what do these chemicals even do? While phosphorus can help your succulents establish a good root system, sulfur and magnesium work behind the scenes to make the leaves look greener and more vibrant. These two compounds are majorly responsible for chlorophyll production.
Together, they offer a slow and steady nutrient release that supports better overall growth—especially helpful if your plant’s looking a little tired.
3. A Natural Fertilizer
Succulents usually require little to no fertilization. But we all want bushier, fuller, gorgeous plants, right? And that requires a bit of fertilizing. If you’re looking to cut corners and save a little cash, matchsticks can offer a gentle nutrient boost your succulents will love.
Sticking 7-10 matchsticks in your succulent soil and watering after can make the tops dissolve, turning them into a slow-release fertilizer right in the pot. And slow and steady liquid feed is exactly what the doctor ordered for succulents!
Note: Avoid using spent matchsticks when fertilizing. When these burns, the sulfur and magnesium compounds oxidize into harmful forms and can damage your plant instead of helping it. Always go for fresh, unused matchsticks.
4. They’re a Handy DIY Liquid Feed
Want a quick plant booster without buying a bottle of fertilizer? Matchsticks can help with that, too!
Just drop 3–5 fresh, unused matchsticks into your watering can and let them sit for about 10–15 minutes. This gives the water a gentle dose of sulfur and phosphorus, creating a DIY tonic your succulents will quietly appreciate.
It’s best to use this liquid feed every couple of weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer). Just don’t overdo it—succulents love a light hand.
5. They’re Best Suited for Small Potted Succulents
This trick works wonders for small succulents grown in containers. Think jade plants, echeverias, or haworthias sitting on your windowsill.
Since the nutrient dose is small and slow-releasing, container plants benefit the most.
In large outdoor arrangements or garden beds, the effect may be too diluted to notice.
It’s always a good idea to try this hack on one or two plants first. If your succulent seems stressed or doesn’t improve, remove the matchsticks and explore other options.
How to Use Matchsticks For Your Succulents
We have officially come to the good part. Knowing how to use matchsticks for your succulents can change your succulent game—and it’s pretty easy!
Stick about 7 to 10 matchsticks, head down, into the soil of each succulent. Make sure the match heads are buried properly. Keep a little distance from the roots while doing this to avoid any damage. As you water the plant, the heads will dissolve over time, so you must replenish the sticks every week or two.
A quick way to make liquid fertilizer is by adding a few matchsticks to your watering can. Let them sit for 10–15 minutes, and water your succulents with this homemade tonic. It’s simple and works well for busy plant parents.
Important: Don’t go overboard—too many matchsticks can mess with the soil’s balance and damage the roots over time. This is especially true in mixed arrangements where several plants share the same soil. In that case, use even fewer matchsticks to avoid any chemical overload. A little goes a long way!
Try out this unique hack and let us know which of your succulents benefited the most in the comments below!
