Using Marseille Black Soap in the Garden

If you're looking to garden more naturally this summer, you may be surprised to find the answer in your cleaning cupboard. Marseille Black Liquid Soap, or Savon Noir, has long been a staple in French homes and gardens. Made traditionally with olive oil and potash, this biodegradable soap offers a safe and effective way to care for your plants — all without harsh chemicals.

Originating in the South of France, Marseille black soap is a thick, dark liquid soap made from olive oil, water, and potassium hydroxide. It's 100% natural, free from synthetic additives, and widely used in organic farming across Europe. In the garden, it's prized for its gentle cleaning and pest-control properties.

One of the biggest benefits of black soap in gardening is its ability to manage common pests like:

• Aphids

• Spider mites

• Whiteflies

• Mealybugs

It works by coating the insects and breaking down their outer membranes, effectively suffocating them. Because it doesn't contain synthetic pesticides, it's safe for pollinators like bees and ladybirds when used correctly.

Use a diluted solution to remove sticky residue, sooty mold, or dust from plant leaves. Clean leaves can absorb more light and stay healthier over time. It's also fantastic for washing pots, garden tools, and even greenhouse windows.

Here’s a quick recipe: Mix 5 tablespoons of liquid black soap with 1 liter of warm water.

• Shake well

• Spray onto affected leaves (especially the undersides)

• Repeat weekly if needed

🕐 Best used early in the morning or late in the day to avoid sun damage. Avoid spraying during rainfall.

• Always test on a small part of the plant first

• Avoid spraying delicate or fuzzy leaves (e.g. African violets)

• Choose unscented, perfume-free black soap

Unlike chemical-based sprays, Savon Noir is completely biodegradable and safe for use around children, pets, and edible plants when used properly.

Marseille Black Liquid Soap is more than just a household cleaner — it’s a natural, multi-purpose garden solution trusted by French gardeners for generations. Whether you’re caring for a single balcony plant or an entire vegetable patch, this traditional soap can help keep your garden green, clean, and chemical-free.

Want to give it a try? Look for authentic, olive-oil-based Savon Noir made in Provence.

Stay natural. Garden smart. 🌿