Coffee grounds improve soil by adding nutrients. It provides nitrogen - a classic component of most fertilizers that plants need to grow. It also contains organic ingredients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and minerals that help plants develop green leaves and strong stems. But do you know how to use coffee grounds as fertilizer and for which plants? Read on to learn which plants like used coffee powder and what you should consider when using it as fertilizer.
The consumed oneCoffee is suitable as a fertilizerfor agricultural crops, houseplants and garden flowers. However, you must use coffee grounds correctly if you want to achieve optimal results from your plants. First, remember thatCoffee grounds “green compost”is. This means you need to add “brown compost,” or carbon-rich organic material, to your used coffee grounds to provide your plants with a balanced nutrient. But you should also keep in mind that there is a big difference between new and used coffee powder.
New and old coffee grounds – which ones are suitable for which plants
Unused, raw coffee powder has a pH value below 5. This is very acidic and lowers itSoil pH. Used coffee powder has an almost neutral pH value, which is between 6.5 and 6.8. You've washed away all the acid in your coffee. So they do not increase the acidity of the soil. In very acidic or alkaline soils they even bring the pH value closer to neutral.
This means that you can use used powder on almost all plants, but new coffee only on acidophilus that like acidic soil, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, veresias, nasturtiums, hydrangeas, ferns, hollies, gardenias and caladiums. Most vegetables like slightly alkaline soil, but acid-loving vegetables like radishes, parsley, potatoes, peppers and rhubarb can be helped by fresh coffee.
Likewise, many fruit trees prefer neutral soils, but raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, cranberries and blackcurrants appreciate some acidity.
What types of plants like coffee grounds?
Plants that like used coffee powder fall into four categories:
- Garden plants, especially acid-loving plants such as azaleas, camellias, daffodils, lilies of the valley.
- Vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, broccoli, peppers, rhubarb.
- Fruit bushes such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries.
- Houseplants such as rhododendrons, African violets, Christmas cactus, jade plant.
Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Used coffee powder makes these garden plants very happy
- Azalea and rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
Azaleas and rhododendrons are the same genus of plants, but azaleas are particularly difficult to grow in the garden. They are beautiful but generally more delicate than rhododendrons. One of the tricks to keep azaleas happy is to have very nutrient-rich but also very, very loose and well-aerated soil! They also like very low soil pH levels – between 4.5 and 5.5. All of these must be combined, otherwise they will become sick and weak. Their roots are delicate and cannot break through heavy soil. Coffee grounds make azaleas and rhododendrons very happy, and they reward you with bright colors!
- Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)
Unlike azaleas and camellias, it is not very sensitive and can grow in various conditions, preferring acidic or neutral soils.
But if you want your hydrangea to look its best, a good dose of used coffee powder at the base of the plant can go a long way!
Used coffee powder as fertilizer for tomato and vegetable gardens
You can also use the used coffee powder in your vegetable garden. Most vegetables like the added nutritional value of used coffee grounds, but few can compete with fresh coffee grounds. This is because most vegetables prefer a relatively alkaline, i.e. neutral to alkaline pH level in the soil.
⦁ Tomatoes (Solanum tomato)
Tomatoes need a lot of energy to grow and coffee grounds are very welcome. Every gardener knows thatTomato plants eat a lot and drink a lotand need all the help you can give them. So sprinkle a little used coffee powder around each tomato plant when the first fruits appear, and then once or twice more when the fruits bear.
Blueberries and raspberries like fresh coffee
You will achieve the best results with used coffee powder if you use it on acid-loving small shrubs. Blueberries and raspberries are the plants that respond well to coffee grounds, but not larger trees like apples or plums.
⦁ Blueberries (Vaccinium spp. or Cyanococcus spp.)
They are acid loving, which means they also like fresh, unused powder. These plants will serve you for many years. Give them some coffee in the spring at the beginning of the growing season, then again when they bear fruit, and again when the fruit is ripe. The used coffee powder will enhance the juiciness and freshness of the dark berries!
Coffee grounds as fertilizer for houseplants
ManyHouseplants are happyover a pinch of coffee grounds. However, be careful! The pot or container has very little space and a limited ecosystem, so you should only use tiny amounts.
⦁ African violet (Saintpaulia ionanthia)
African violets are so cute, with their fleshy leaves and bright colors! However, it is not easy to keep them in such good shape in a small pot. Sprinkle your violets sparingly with used coffee powder, especially if you see that they lack energy and vitality. They will appreciate it and revive it as soon as possible.
