Can I use coffee grounds for indoor plants?
Coffee grounds are an effective houseplant fertilizer owing to their high nitrogen content,’ says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens and a fellow houseplant aficionado. Coffee grounds contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other trace minerals too, which are all essential plant nutrients for growth. Coffee grounds should make up no more than 20% of the pile’s total volume — higher amounts can be toxic to plants. If applied directly to soil before composting, excess coffee grounds can temporarily tie up nitrogen and may inhibit seed germination or slow plant growth due to caffeine residues.While many budding gardeners may be concerned that coffee grounds can attract pests, the reality is quite to the contrary. In fact, when implemented correctly, coffee grounds can be an effective way to repel certain pests such as wasps, snails, and mosquitoes.Adding too many coffee grounds can tie up soil nitrogen as microorganisms break them down. This creates temporary nitrogen deficiency in plants – yellowing leaves and stunted growth.Cover the soil around the plant’s trunk with well-dried coffee grounds and water abundantly. Each watering will release nitrogen from the coffee grits and penetrate into the soil with water, soaking the plant’s root system, thereby strengthening it and protecting it from pests.
Which plants love coffee grounds?
Acidic-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and roses will benefit from a sprinkling of coffee grounds around the base of plants. However, there are some plants that you should avoid using coffee grounds on. Plants that prefer alkaline soil, like lavender and lilacs, can be harmed by the acidity of coffee grounds. Plants that are sensitive to caffeine, such as geraniums and some herbs, can also be affected by the presence of coffee grounds.Acidic-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and roses will benefit from a sprinkling of coffee grounds around the base of plants. Vegetable crops that may benefit from coffee grounds include carrots, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, and radishes.Generally, plants that prefer acidic soil respond well to a weekly watering with coffee or a sprinkling of coffee grounds. However, there is a difference between plants that prefer slightly acidic soil and.Slugs and snails: Slugs and snails also don’t like the smell of coffee ground. So, if you see slugs and snails in moisture- containing areas, or in your garden, you can apply coffee grounds to repel them. Because slugs and snails can’t bear the smell of coffee. Ants: You can also repel ants applying coffee grounds.
How do I prepare coffee grounds for plants?
Mix two cups of brewed coffee grounds with five gallons of water and let it steep for 48 to 72 hours, stirring occasionally. Strain out the solids, then use the liquid to water your plants or apply it as a foliar spray. Avoid spraying plants like African violets that don’t tolerate moisture on their leaves. We recommend using about a teaspoon of coffee grounds per gallon of water. Let the coffee grounds and water mixture steep for a few nights, stirring occasionally, then strain the liquid through a cheesecloth. The remaining liquid can be used to water, and gently fertilize, your houseplants.The plants that like coffee grounds include roses, blueberries, azaleas, carrots, radishes, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, cabbage, lilies, and hollies. You’ll want to avoid using coffee grounds on plants like tomatoes, clovers, and alfalfa.You can also try mixing 1/4 coffee with 3/4 water. Water your plant once a week with the diluted coffee. Coffee is acidic, but most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH, and municipal water is usually slightly alkaline. The small amounts of magnesium and potassium in coffee can also benefit plants.Plants that prefer alkaline soil, like lavender and lilacs, can be harmed by the acidity of coffee grounds. Plants that are sensitive to caffeine, such as geraniums and some herbs, can also be affected by the presence of coffee grounds.
How often should I add coffee grounds to plants?
If you evenly sprinkle coffee grounds around the plants once a week or so, the amount will likely be okay. You know that last bit of coffee that always seems to be left in the carafe? Don’t just pour it down the drain — you can use it to fertilize your plants, both indoor and outdoor. Coffee grounds (and brewed coffee) are a source of nitrogen for plants, producing healthy green growth and strong stems.Some plants don’t like coffee grounds, but many of them love it in their soil. Use coffee grounds for plants that thrive in slightly acidic soil as they lower the overall pH.Same goes for unused coffee grounds; they are highly acidic. I have always maintained that coffee grounds of any kind are nitrogen-rich, and excess nitrogen makes plants grow big, but can suppress flowering.Worms like coffee grounds, so you may want to put a layer of coffee on the bottom of your pile to attract worms. How often do I have to turn the pile? The more you turn the pile, the quicker you will produce compost. Many people would rather let their pile sit and let nature do her work over a several month period.If you evenly sprinkle coffee grounds around the plants once a week or so, the amount will likely be okay.
Which plants do not like used coffee grounds?
The plants that like coffee grounds include roses, blueberries, azaleas, carrots, radishes, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, cabbage, lilies, and hollies. You’ll want to avoid using coffee grounds on plants like tomatoes, clovers, and alfalfa. Specific examples of plants that benefit from coffee grounds: Acid-loving plants: Hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, gardenias, blueberries, roses, and camellias. Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes.Coffee and coffee grounds are acidic and, while there are some plants that love an alkaline soil and won’t do well with the addition of coffee, such as lily of the valley, lavender and honeysuckle, some plants absolutely thrive in an acidic soil.Gardening Aid Simply sprinkle coffee grounds on top of the soil and work them in with a trowel or hand rake. Over time, as the grounds break down, they’ll release nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth.Discarding coffee grounds is a mistake, as they have multiple practical uses. Rich in potassium, they act as a natural fertilizer, enhance plant resistance, and are excellent for composting. Additionally, they attract earthworms, improve soil health, and help repel pests like slugs and moles.When using coffee grounds as a soil amendment, Brewer recommends working in a half inch to a depth of 4 inches. If used as a mulch on top of the soil, a layer of leaves or bark mulch helps keep the grounds from drying out and repelling water.
What are the disadvantages of coffee grounds as fertilizer?
Using coffee grounds for plants can have its benefits and drawbacks. On the one hand, coffee grounds contain nitrogen and are acidic, which can be beneficial for some plants. On the other hand, coffee grounds can contain salts and mold, and can be harmful if used in large amounts. Coffee grounds are actually an insect repellant, and even used in mosquito breeding control. Except for roaches. I wouldn’t say they attract them, but roaches aren’t repelled by coffee. So like any food, if it’s left there damp and mouldy, you’d likely have roaches.Plants That Don’t Like Coffee Grounds Similarly, tomatoes may suffer if the grounds are added directly, especially in large quantities, as it can disrupt pH and introduce too much nitrogen. Other plants that struggle include clovers, alfalfa, and some flowering annuals like geraniums and petunias.Coffee grounds are likely to contain caffeine. Whilst most of the caffeine in coffee is transferred to the drink in the brewing process, some may remain. Caffeine restricts the growth of certain plants, notably tomatoes, and may inhibit germination of seedlings.In addition to microorganisms tying up nitrogen temporarily, the caffeine residues in the spent coffee grounds can suppress germination and slow the growth of some plants.Coffee grounds can help repel not only mosquitos but also other annoying insects like wasps and bees. Why are coffee grounds effective? Most bugs have a very strong sense of smell. Coffee grounds have a strong smell but it’s even stronger when they are burned.