The 80p spray you need to be blasting your houseplants with – it smells so good and keeps bugs away

Published on July 07, 2025 at 08:54 AM

JUST like your outside plants, houseplants are susceptible to pests too.

But don’t worry, you don’t need to spend a fortune to keep them at bay because there’s a simple spray you can whip up for next to nothing.

Close-up of a hand holding a plant leaf infested with greenflies.
The DIY spray is perfect for keeping your houseplants in top condition
Woman discussing houseplants on This Morning.
Nancy explained how to make to spray at home in seconds

pro Nancy Birtwhistle revealed the easy trick anyone can use, and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t try it out sooner.

On the show, Nancy explained that a quick spritz of the DIY spray can keep things like green flies away for good.

So, what do you need to make the spray at home?

You’ll be happy to know most of the ingredients you’ll likely already have in your cupboard.

Start by filling a bottle with around 500ml of water and add in about a teaspoon of washing up liquid.

Next pop in a teaspoon on cooking oil – any you’ve got on hand will do the job.

“That just makes it stick,”; Nancy explained to This Morning hosts and .

And finally, a few drops of clove bud oil should be added to finish to spray, which the pro said is perfect for both indoor plants, as well as those in your greenhouse.

You don’t need to buy a spray bottle for this either, simply reuse one – but make sure to give it a good clean first.

According to the pro, the clove bud oil is the perfect ingredient to add because it’s a natural insect repellent.

After sharing the trick, Instagram users were keen to try it out, as one commented on the clip: “I can’t wait to try this out.”;

“I made this batch 18 months ago and it’s still working,”; a second wrote.

And a third commented: “It actually seems to work! I was sceptical but only seen one fly that went out again in two days!”;

MORE TICKS FOR HOUSEPLANTS

During these summer months, keeping your plants safe in direct sunlight is a must,

Luckily, Kelly Dyer, fromPatch Plants, shared how there is a common mistake you should avoid when it comes to your indoor plants – and it may seem surprising.

She shared: “Don’t be tempted to mistif they are sitting in a spot that gets direct sunlight.

“The water will evaporate and lead to scorching.”;

She also advised that you don’t use aircon, if possible, and to open your windows instead.

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