Hostas are easy to grow plants that favor the shade best and come back year and year again. Hostas do even better when they get a little extra love and care, just like any other plant. Adding fertilizers, like coffee, to your Hosta is a surefire way to give it a little extra care. But do Hostas like coffee?
Hostas love coffee grounds. Using coffee grounds as a fertilizer works very well in making a Hosta a very healthy plant. But, be careful! Everything is good in moderation, too much coffee can harm or even kill a Hosta. It’s also important to note that not all coffee grounds work.
See below to find out even more about how coffee can benefit your Hosta. As well as how to use coffee on your Hosta, we’ll talk about all the other things that coffee can do for plants.
If you’re a coffee drinker and a gardener, you may have wondered if you could put your spent coffee grounds to use in the garden. Specifically, can adding used coffee grounds benefit hostas? These popular shade plants offer great foliage but need rich, moist soil to thrive.
As it turns out, worked into the soil in moderation, coffee grounds can be an excellent nutritional boost for hostas. Keep reading to learn why used coffee grounds and hostas are such a great match.
Hostas are herbaceous perennials prized for their wide, lush foliage and ability to brighten up shady areas. With striking textures, shapes, and colors, hosta varieties offer versatile landscaping options
There are over 40 species and thousands of named cultivars to choose from. Sizes range from petite 6-inch plants to giant 4-foot clumps. Leaf colors include greens, blues, golds, and variegated combinations.
Hostas grow best in rich, moist, organic soil with a pH between 6.5-7.5. They need mild temperatures and shelter from hot sun. Established hosta clumps can tolerate short droughts but produce the most vibrant leaves with consistent moisture.
Why Used Coffee Grounds Benefit Hostas
Spent coffee grounds offer a number of advantages when used as a soil amendment around hostas
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Organic matter – Grounds add organic bulk to improve soil texture and moisture retention.
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Macronutrients – Coffee contains nitrogen phosphorus and potassium that plants need.
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Micronutrients – Trace minerals like copper and magnesium in grounds are beneficial.
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Moderately acidic pH – The grounds’ acidity helps lower soil pH into hostas’ preferred range.
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Water retention – The increased organic matter helps keep soil moist between waterings.
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Waste reduction – Reusing grounds reduces kitchen waste going to landfills.
The nutrients and organic matter make spent grounds an excellent free fertilizer and soil conditioner for hostas. Their acidity also helps counteract the alkalinity of tap water.
How to Use Coffee Grounds for Hostas
Used coffee grounds are easy to work into the soil around hostas. Here are some simple methods:
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Sprinkle the grounds lightly on top of the soil around hostas. Over time, they will break down and percolate in.
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Mix grounds thoroughly into garden beds before planting hostas or when dividing and replanting mature clumps.
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Add grounds to compost piles and use finished compost to mulch around hostas.
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Brew grounds into a “compost tea” by steeping in water and use to water plants. Strain out grounds before pouring the enriched water into the soil.
A thin layer of grounds is best, about 1/4 inch deep around plants. Avoid thick piles which can repel water. Also, don’t add too many grounds at once, which can overacidify the soil. Test your soil pH yearly and adjust as needed.
Tips for Using Coffee Grounds with Hostas
Follow these tips for successfully using coffee grounds with hostas:
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Store used grounds in the freezer until you have enough accumulated to apply around plants.
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Wait until spring to apply grounds, as excess winter nitrogen may leach away before plants are actively growing.
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Mix grounds into soil before planting or topdress around established plants in early spring.
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Alternatively, sidedress plants with a thin layer of grounds midseason for a nutritional boost.
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Combine grounds with high nitrogen items like grass clippings to balance out the carbon-heavy grounds.
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Monitor soil pH and only apply more grounds if pH is too high, above 7.5.
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Rinse off any grounds that stick to hosta leaves to prevent fungal issues.
The Benefits of Using Coffee Grounds for Hostas
Here are some of the benefits you may notice after using coffee grounds around your hostas:
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Increased growth, larger plant size, and more flowers on mature plants
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Darker green leaves and brighter variegation on foliage
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Quicker spring emergence and continued vigor all season long
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Better moisture retention which boosts drought tolerance
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Fewer problems with diseases like fungus
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Over time, less need to fertilize as grounds improve soil quality
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A sustainable way to get more use out of a kitchen waste item
The mild acidity, nutrients, and organic matter in used coffee grounds are perfectly suited to keep hostas looking lush and vibrant. Take advantage of this free soil enhancer to boost your shade garden.
Using Spent Coffee Grounds in the Landscape
While hostas are excellent candidates, other plants also appreciate used coffee grounds worked into their soil or used as mulch:
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Rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, and other acid-loving plants
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Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant
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Roses and marigolds
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Blueberries and raspberries
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Carrots, radishes, and other root crops
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Most vegetables and herbs
Coffee grounds are versatile and beneficial for plants across the garden. Think beyond the compost pile and put spent grounds to work directly in your beds and borders.
However, some plants that prefer neutral to alkaline soils may not appreciate the extra acidity. Avoid using grounds around lilacs, peas, asparagus, cabbage, and other base-loving edibles.
FAQs About Coffee Grounds and Hostas
Still have questions? Here are some commonly asked questions:
How much coffee grounds should I use?
- Aim for a thin 1/4-inch layer of grounds worked into soil or used as mulch around plants. Excess may lower soil pH too much.
How often can I use coffee grounds?
- Annual or biannual light applications in spring are sufficient for most gardens rather than overamending.
Should grounds touch hosta leaves?
- Avoid getting grounds on the foliage, which may cause fungal issues. Rinse off any excess.
Can I compost coffee filters too?
- Yes, paper filters will break down fine in compost. This adds more carbon to balance the nitrogen-rich used grounds.
Is it okay to use instant coffee grounds?
- Instant coffee grounds offer similar benefits. Just apply sparingly, as instant coffee is more concentrated.
Do coffee grounds deter slugs and snails?
- Unfortunately, coffee grounds don’t seem to deter these common hosta pests. Use other methods like beer traps for control.
Give Your Hostas a Boost with Used Coffee Grounds
With their wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors, hostas are a perfect choice where the sun won’t shine. Used coffee grounds can give these shade-loving perennials an extra nutritional boost. Work some into the soil this spring to provide organic matter, nutrients, and just the right acidity. Then watch your hostas reach their full potential with vibrant, bold foliage.
Coffee Grounds Balance pH Levels In the Soil
For Hosta plants, the best pH level is between 6 and 8. Coffee grounds help keep the pH level in the soil at that level. 5 and 6. 8 pH.
Checking to see if the soil is in good enough shape to keep the nutrients plants need to stay alive is important.
How Do I Use Coffee Grounds for My Hosta?
There’s multiple ways to properly use coffee grounds for your Hosta plant that will guarantee success. When, where, and how are the three most important things to think about when adding this to your garden.
Let’s take a look at the chart below for more information:
When do I add coffee grounds to my hosta?
The best time to add coffee grounds to a hosta is the start of spring.
How do I add coffee grounds to my hosta?
Combine cooled, used coffee grounds with compost and mulch.
Where do I add coffee grounds to my hosta?
If you want to add coffee grounds to your Hosta, the best place is to use mulch and compost along the edges of the plant.
Now that we know where, when, and how to use coffee grounds, let’s see if they hurt the Hosta plant in any way. Read further to find out.
