Will Bleach Kill a Poison Ivy Plant?
Poison ivy growing in your yard is a hazard you cannot ignore. Bleach was once used to treat poison ivy rashes. It can also be used to kill poison ivy plants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Bleach
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Applying bleach to either leaves or roots will kill plants, including poison ivy. Pouring bleach at the base of a plant near the roots damages the plant, leading to yellowing leaves. Repeated applications of bleach will kill a poison ivy plant.
Function
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Bleach contains compounds called surfactants. These compounds allow the chemicals in bleach that damage and kill organic compounds to penetrate deeply into a poison ivy plant's tissue. The surfactants work on all plants exposed to the bleach.
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Considerations
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If you pour it onto the base of a poison ivy plant, bleach will damage or kill any plants nearby. The bleach lingers in the soil, preventing other plants from growing there until it is washed away over time. Bleach in soil presents a hazard to any pet or child that eats or digs into the affected soil.
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