We try to give you the best information, but prices and availability can change quickly. Last updated on August 10, 2023 Thats why weve integrated fact checking into our editorial process. During this additional step, our team members make sure that every article has the most current information available. That way, you’ll always know what’s going on! If you find a problem, please let us know. Thank you! Facts checked by Nicholas Marshall.
We try to give you the best information, but prices and availability can change quickly. Last updated on August 10, 2023 Thats why weve integrated fact checking into our editorial process. During this additional step, our team members make sure that every article has the most current information available. That way, you’ll always know what’s going on! If you find a problem, please let us know. Thank you! Facts checked by Nicholas Marshall.
Hi! My name is Arne. Now that I’ve worked as a barista for years, I want to make sure that more people can get good coffee. In order to do that, my team and I give you a lot of information about coffee.
Coffee grounds for plants? Isnt caffeine harmful to plants, and if so, what plants like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds for plants? Isn’t caffeine harmful to plants, and if so, what plants like coffee grounds?
As a passionate gardener, I have to say that coffee grounds are a great, unassuming way to help plants grow healthy, strong roots.
Drive Research says that coffee lovers around the world drink more than 2 billion cups of coffee every day! And in the United States, we’re totally nuts about coffee—two thirds of us make coffee at home every day!
Most of us don’t think much about used coffee grounds, but they can be used for more than just throwing them away in the garden.
Can you use coffee grounds on all plants? Well, no. As it happens, not every plant loves coffee grounds.
Which plants do you think would like coffee grounds? And how can we use this rich, fragrant brown gold to help plants grow?
I’ll explore the wide variety of plants that love coffee grounds. I’ll also show you exactly how to use coffee grounds for the healthy growth of your leafy friends.
As a gardener and coffee lover I’m always looking for ways to use my daily coffee ritual to benefit my plants. Coffee grounds seem like an obvious choice – they’re free, organic and otherwise destined for the trash. But not all plants appreciate a shot of java in their soil. Before dumping leftovers from your French press directly on your garden, it’s important to know what plants love coffee grounds.
Coffee grounds can have benefits like adding nitrogen, improving soil texture, controlling pests, and more. But they also contain caffeine, which can inhibit growth in some plants. And fresh grounds may harbor harmful mold. Understanding which plants thrive with the addition of used coffee grounds will help you avoid any pitfalls.
In this article, I’ll summarize which vegetables, fruits, flowers, and houseplants enjoy used coffee grounds. I’ll also explain how to apply coffee grounds properly as fertilizer or mulch. Let’s dive in and explore how you can share the bounty of your morning brew with worthy plant companions.
Plants That Love Coffee Grounds
Numerous plants appreciate the boost of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other nutrients found in coffee grounds But some species are more compatible than others Here are the top categories of plants that benefit from spent coffee grounds
Fruiting Plants
Fruits, berries, and citrus trees thrive with coffee’s acidity and nitrogen for ample flower and fruit production:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Apples
- Pears
- Stone fruits like cherries, peaches, plums
- Citrus trees – lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit
Vegetables
Leafy greens, root crops, herbs, and nightshades appreciate coffee grounds mixed into their soil:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Beets
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Basil
- Oregano
Acid-Loving Flowers
Flowers that prefer slightly acidic soil enjoy coffee grounds for the pH balance and nutrient boost:
- Azaleas
- Camellias
- Gardenias
- Rhododendrons
- Hydrangeas
- Roses
- Orchids
Houseplants
Used coffee filters and grounds in moderation perk up many popular indoor plants:
- Pilea
- Ferns
- Ficus
- Yucca
- Jade plants
- Snake plants
- Orchids
- Bromeliads
How to Apply Coffee Grounds to Plants
Coffee grounds provide the most benefits to plants when used properly. Follow these tips when adding grounds to your garden and containers:
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First off, never use fresh grounds directly in soil or pots. Always compost grounds first before applying.
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Mix composted grounds into soil or potting mix before planting. Don’t just sprinkle on top of existing plants.
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For mulch or top dressing, blend composted grounds with materials like leaves, wood chips, or straw.
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For container plants, soak grounds overnight to make “coffee water” for weekly feeding. Use 1 part grounds to 10 parts water.
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Only apply a thin layer of grounds around plants – no more than 1/4 inch deep to avoid matting.
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Scatter grounds lightly and evenly, not in heavy clumps. Integrate well into soil or mulch.
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Use no more than 20% grounds by volume in compost or mulch recipes.
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Rinse off any grounds that stick to plant leaves or stems to prevent mold.
With some reasonable precautions, used coffee grounds can be a productive additive for many garden plants. Moderation and proper technique are key.
Plants That Dislike Coffee Grounds
Not every plant benefits from used coffee grounds. Some species are sensitive to the acidity, salt, and caffeine. Avoid adding coffee grounds to soil of:
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Grass family plants – corn, lawn grass, bamboo, etc.
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Root crops like carrots, turnips, sweet potatoes
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Many herbs like sage, thyme, lavender, rosemary
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Alliums like onions, shallots, leeks, chives
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Beans, peas, and other legumes
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Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale
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Flowering plants like petunias, marigolds, zinnias
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Trees like maple, birch, dogwood, pine
And be cautious using grounds on young seedlings, sprouts, or transplants. Their tiny root systems are vulnerable to chemical impacts. Established plants tolerate coffee grounds better.
The Benefits of Coffee Grounds for Plants
Why do some plants love used coffee grounds? Here are some of the benefits they can provide:
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Slow-release nitrogen fertilizer for steady growth
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Deters garden pests like slugs, snails and insects
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Kills weeds by inhibiting seed germination
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Improves soil texture, aeration and water retention
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Provides organic matter and nutrients when composted
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Slightly acidic pH benefits acid-loving plants
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Binds and removes harmful chemical residues in soil
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Reduces need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides
Through homemade composting, leftover coffee grounds get a second life nourishing your garden instead of clogging up landfills. It’s a win-win situation.
Revive Your Garden With Coffee GroundAlchemy
As you can see, used coffee grounds can be powerful plant medicine in the right applications. But mismatches between plants and coffee can spell disaster for your garden. Learn which species thrive with this unconventional fertilizer before amending your soil.
Follow the proper techniques for composting and applying grounds as mulch or liquid feed. Soon you’ll unlock the secrets of growing bigger, more bountiful fruits, vegetables and flowers with leftover coffee grounds. Don’t throw away this free garden booster – put it to work rejuvenating your plants!
Enhances Soil Structure and Composition
The coffee grounds not only help plants grow, but they also make the soil better where plants grow.
The degradation of used grounds produces humic compounds, which make up a majority of soil’s organic matter. This process also releases microbial glues and other organic materials. As a result, you can expect good texture and well-drained soil.
Furthermore, because coffee is organic matter, it feeds the soil’s microbes, bacteria and beneficial worms if used correctly. These microbes improve the composition and fertility of loose soil.
Liquid Fertilizer (Coffee Grounds Tea)
Soaked coffee grounds can also be used on lawns and in pots for plants that do well in full or partial shade. This mixture provides an excellent liquid fertilizer that gives your plants a much-needed java nutrient boost.
Fill a five-gallon bucket half way with water and add two cups of old coffee grounds. This will make coffee grounds “tea.” Steep for a few hours or preferably overnight before pouring onto your garden or container plants. A once-a-week application is enough.
Oh, and don’t be tempted to drink this stuff if you’ve run out of cold brew coffee. You’ll have to trust me on that!.
Indoor Plants – 10 Houseplants that Love Coffee
FAQ
Which plants benefit most from coffee grounds?
What plants do not like coffee grounds?
Can I just sprinkle coffee grounds on plants?
How often should you put coffee grounds on plants?
Are coffee grounds good for Roses?
Coffee grounds also provide small amounts of phosphate, copper, and potash, which roses need for healthy flowers. Coffee grounds are a low-cost fertilizer with the added benefit of keeping weeds at bay. Use coffee grounds sparingly, as too much nitrogen can burn the tender roots of your rose bush.
Are coffee grounds good for houseplants?
Coffee grounds can be an excellent natural fertilizer for certain houseplants, providing essential nutrients and promoting healthy growth. Snake plants, African violets, ZZ plants, jade plants, pothos, and spider plants are some examples of houseplants that generally enjoy the benefits of coffee grounds.
What plants eat coffee grounds?
Snake plants, African violets, ZZ plants, jade plants, pothos, and spider plants are some examples of houseplants that generally enjoy the benefits of coffee grounds. However, it’s crucial to use coffee grounds in moderation and avoid overdoing it, as excessive acidity can harm some plants.
Can I use used coffee grounds with other plants?
This means that you can use used coffee grounds with almost all plants, but you can only use new coffee grounds with acidophiles that love acidic soil, for example azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, heather, nasturtium, hydrangeas, fothergillas, holly, gardenias, caladium.