If you are into organic solutions for your plants, you have probably heard how using coffee grounds might benefit them. While there seem to be contrasting opinions on the subject, the truth is that, when you know how to use them properly, coffee grounds will provide extra nutrition for your plants.
But how can you use coffee grounds for house plants? You have landed in the right place to find out! Keep reading this essential guide if you want to learn more on the topic.
Are Coffee Grounds Good For Houseplants?
Let’s go straight to the point: coffee grounds can benefit your indoor plants. After all, they provide a boost of nutrients. Indeed, they are rich in phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
Also, you can use them as mulch to prevent weeds and increase water retention, which comes in handy if you live in a hot region. Plus, because of its natural pH, coffee can help you lower the alkalinity of the soil and make the environment more suitable for some plant species.
And if you thought this was the end of the story, you were wrong! Coffee grounds can also act as pesticides: they deter slugs and other harmful pests.
Of course, as with many things in life, too much of a good thing can be detrimental. You should avoid adding too much coffee to your plants. Indeed, inadequate amounts of caffeine might stunt growth and even increase the risk of fungal diseases.
But if you use it in the proper quantities, you’ll contribute to the health of your plants.
But what species do better with coffee grounds? Jump to the following sections to get a list of our favorite options!
What Types of Houseplants Like Coffee?
Not every houseplant will have the same reaction to coffee grounds. Because of the high acidity levels, you should add coffee only to plants that thrive in low pH conditions.
Also, because coffee can considerably increase water retention, it might saturate your house plants’ root system, resulting in severe issues and attracting fungal infections.
Peace lilies, cyclamen, jade, African violets, Pothos, and philodendrons are some plant species that do well with some coffee.
Don’t forget that these are just some of the options that will benefit from a regular addition of coffee grounds to their soil. Don’t be afraid to experiment with others.
For best results, ensure you mix the grounds into the potting soil. Doing so will slow down the speed of absorption, which will be less aggressive on your plants.
Avoid using coffees flavored with chemicals or artificial ingredients as they might harm your potted friends. You should also avoid using coffee with milk or syrups: it might cause mold and fungal diseases and attract pests.
Finally, don’t forget to use spent grounds, not fresh ones, which are more acidic and can abruptly disrupt the pH levels. While that might not sound a big deal, it can stress your plants, causing halted growth and poor root development.
How to Use Coffee Grounds on Your Houseplants
As we mentioned before, there are many ways to use coffee grounds on your houseplants. One of the most effective methods is to mulch with coffee. You can mix it with organic matter such as manure, compost, or straw. Doing so will increase water retention and the soil’s nutrient content and improve drainage.
If you are unsure whether your plants will like coffee or not, avoid applying it directly to the soil. When preparing mulch, do not use more than 20% of coffee. Instead, balance it with other ingredients. With coffee in your garden, more often than not, “less is more.”
Coffee grounds for houseplants: Final thoughts
Overall, we recommend you see coffee as an occasional treat. Avoid making your plants dependent on the substance.
For instance, if you want to use coffee grounds as a fertilizer, add them as an “extra” to the fertilization schedule you may be following. While you can also water your houseplants with liquid coffee (for instance, if you did not have the time to finish your cup in the morning), you should do it only once every two weeks.
Doing it more often might harm your plants.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your pets when adding coffee grounds to your plants. Curious cats and dogs might get sick when ingesting too much coffee.
Related Article: Are Coffee Grounds A Good Fertilizer For Orchids?