Some fiddle leaf fig owners add coffee grounds to their fiddle leaf fig plant to help it grow.
But does coffee help fiddle leaf fig plants? What happens to the soil when you mix coffee grounds in it?
Coffee grounds are often touted as a natural fertilizer for gardens and houseplants. But can these leftover grounds also benefit fig trees? Let’s take a look at the potential pros and cons of using coffee grounds on figs.
The Benefits of Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds offer some useful nutrients that may help fig trees Here are some of the main advantages
-
Provide nitrogen – This macronutrient is key for healthy foliage growth. The grounds release nitrogen as they break down.
-
Add organic matter – Coffee grounds can improve soil structure and nutrition as they decompose.
-
May deter pests – Some report the grounds help repel insects and animals due to the caffeine
-
Increase acidity – The grounds lower pH levels, which figs prefer slightly acidic soil.
-
Improve drainage – The texture of used grounds can aerate soil and improve water flow.
When used appropriately, coffee grounds seem like they could be helpful for fig trees. But there are also some potential downsides.
The Drawbacks of Coffee Grounds
While coffee grounds have benefits, overdoing it with the grounds can cause problems for fig trees:
-
Too acidic – Excess grounds will lower pH too much, which damages roots and leaves.
-
Salt buildup – High sodium levels from grounds can accumulate and burn roots.
-
Fungal issues – The extra moisture from grounds can promote fungal growth.
-
Repels microbes – An overabundance of grounds may negatively impact beneficial soil bacteria.
-
Attract pests – Some insects like ants are drawn to coffee grounds.
The key is using coffee fertilizer judiciously for figs. Moderation is important to gain the advantages without the risks.
How to Use Coffee Grounds on Fig Trees
Follow these tips to safely use coffee grounds as fertilizer for your fig trees:
-
Apply sparingly – Just a light sprinkling around the base of the tree every 2-3 months.
-
Mix into compost – Blend used grounds with leaves, grass clippings, etc. and compost before using.
-
Top dress – Spread thinly on top of the soil rather than tilling in to avoid lowering pH too much.
-
Monitor soil – Check pH periodically and adjust if needed to maintain the ideal acidity level.
-
Alternate with compost – Rotate coffee and compost applications to vary the nutrients being added.
-
Keep mulched – Maintain 2-4 inches of organic mulch over the grounds to prevent erosion and help retain moisture.
-
Avoid peat moss – Don’t combine with acidic peat as this can make soil too acidic for figs.
With prudent use, coffee grounds can be a sustainable supplement to boost the growth and yield of fig trees.
The Best Fig Varieties for Coffee Ground Fertilizer
Most fig cultivars thrive with the periodic addition of used coffee grounds. But these popular varieties in particular may benefit:
-
Brown Turkey – Reliable producer of medium-sized purple fruit on a compact tree.
-
Celeste – Sweet light purple figs on a hardy small tree good for containers.
-
Black Mission – Mid-sized deep purple fruits on large vigorous trees great for warm climates.
-
Kadota – Pale greenish-yellow skin with sweet pink flesh, ripens early over a long season.
-
Chicago Hardy – Cold tolerant tree with medium-sized bronze fruit and light strawberry flesh.
-
Desert King – Prolific medium green fruits with blood-red pulp, does well in hot, dry areas.
Give your fig of choice a nutritional boost with the occasional sprinkling of used coffee grounds.
Signs Your Fig Tree Needs More Fertilizer
Monitor your fig for signals it could use some added nutrition from coffee grounds or compost:
- Smaller leaves and fruits
- Light green or yellowing foliage
- Lackluster annual growth
- Loss of lower leaves
- Dieback of branches
- Stunted root development
- Sun scalded bark
- Few to no figs produced
Addressing these deficiencies right away will get your tree back to prime health.
Healthy Growing Conditions for Figs
In addition to smart fertilizing, fig trees need:
-
Full sun exposure – At least 8 hours of direct sun daily.
-
Infrequent but deep watering – Let soil dry between waterings but soak thoroughly when needed.
-
Protection from wind – Shelter trees from strong gusts which damage branches.
-
Warmth – Provide reflective mulch and grow in sheltered spaces in colder climates.
-
Rich soil – Amend native soil with compost to improve nutrition and drainage.
-
Space for roots – Plan for eventually large root systems with room to expand.
-
Seasonal pruning – In colder zones, prune in late winter to shape.
By meeting all the key needs of fig trees, you will be rewarded with plentiful fruiting.
Enjoy an Abundant Fig Harvest
Used coffee grounds can be an eco-friendly supplement to boost fig tree growth and fruiting. But restraint is needed to prevent over-acidifying the soil. When used properly alongside compost and mulch, the extra nitrogen, organic matter and acidity from grounds can translate into sweeter, more plentiful fig harvests.
Why People Put Coffee Grounds on Plants
All plant owners want to give their plant the best love and nutrition it needs. It feels good to do something productive with your used coffee grounds.
Some believe that adding acidity to the soil is beneficial to the plant. This is true, but only for specific acid-loving plants like rhododendron, hydrangeas, and camellias.
Coffee also contains nitrogen, which is a component of many plant fertilizers. This ingredient leads many to believe that adding coffee or coffee grounds may help their fiddle leaf fig.
Coffee Good for Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants? Acidity and Plants
To learn more about how coffee can hurt your fiddle leaf fig plant, you should learn about acidity and plants.
As soil breaks down, it results in excess acidity. The soil in pots tends to get more acidic over time, so you have to work to keep yours alkaline.
This is one reason why great hydrangeas do better in pots, especially if you live in a place with more acidic soil.
I use an alkalinity filter as the final stage of my water purification system. This is after a whole-house water filter, softener (only necessary if you have very hard water), then an under-sink reverse osmosis filter to add alkalinity to all of my plants for this reason.
Trying Ground Coffee On Fig Tree To Get Rid Of The Ants
FAQ
Can I put coffee grounds on a fig tree?
What is the best fertilizer for a fig tree?
Do fig trees like eggshells?
Do fiddle leaf figs like coffee grounds?
However, a fiddle leaf fig prefers soil with a pH around 6, and coffee grounds can tip this in the wrong direction. Overly acidic soil can cause leaf discoloration, so you don’t want to add something that can acidify your soil beyond a fiddle’s preference.
Are coffee grounds good for trees?
Coffee grounds also lower the pH of the soil, making it more acidic. This results in an improvement in the solubility of nutrients, thus facilitating their absorption by the roots. Additionally, this condition favors certain trees, particularly those that prefer slightly acidic soils. Other benefits of coffee grounds for trees—
What is Fig Tree Coffee?
Fig Tree Coffee is a coffee shop run out of Grace Family Church, at their Riverside campus. It is not in the coffee business serving people. Instead, it is in the people business serving coffee. This authentic attitude is so evident throughout the coffee shop, which is set up to provide space for people to connect and build community.
What to eat at fig tree coffee?
Fig Tree Coffee offers a range of espresso based drinks, red cappuccino, and hot chocolate options. They have a light lunch menu, and their Asian chicken salad is AMAZING.
Can fig trees grow in poorly draining soil?
Fig trees can grow in most types of soil, but they require good drainage. Poor drainage decreases the amount of oxygen available to the tree and may result in figs that are too small, fruit that will not ripen, or figs that drop. Avoid areas where water stands for more than 24 hours.
Can fig trees produce small fruit?
Fig trees can produce small fruit. To prevent this, ensure the tree is well-irrigated by mulching around it and setting up a drip hose under the mulch. Fig trees tolerate most types of soil as long as it is well-draining.