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Spent coffee grounds pack a punch of trace nutrients that can fuel the growth of plants, whether they’re thriving outdoors or adorning your indoor spaces!
Nitrogen plays a pivotal role in supporting plant vitality. Not only does it fuel the production of new foliage and stems, but it also drives the process of photosynthesis, transforming light into valuable plant energy.
Using Coffee To Power Houseplants
Given their rich nutrient content, coffee grounds are indeed a boon for plant growth, provided they’re used correctly. For indoor plants to thrive, it’s crucial to understand the proper application of both coffee grounds and leftover coffee, including the quantity and timing.
Let’s delve into the specifics of using these on houseplants while debunking a prevalent misconception about the acidity of spent coffee grounds. This myth often sparks confusion regarding their safety for plant use.
How To Fertilize Houseplants With Coffee Grounds
Coffee Grounds & Acidity
To begin, there’s a misconception about the acidity of spent coffee grounds and leftover coffee— the idea that using them around plants will acidify the soil. However, this notion is unfounded.
While fresh coffee grounds possess acidity, spent grounds hover close to a neutral pH level.
While fresh coffee grounds maintain acidity, the story changes for used ones. Once hot water has filtered through, nearly all the acidity dissipates, leaving used coffee grounds and leftover coffee typically within the pH range of 6.7 to 6.8—hovering near neutral territory at seven.
It’s evident that unless applied excessively (which isn’t recommended), they won’t drastically increase soil acidity.
That said, when incorporating grounds or old coffee into houseplants, moderation is key—not due to acidity, but because they offer a potent nutrient source. Just like any living plant, an excessive dose at once can harm rather than benefit the plant.
Coffee Grounds & Moisture – How To Fertilize Houseplants With Coffee Grounds
Aside from their nutrient-rich composition, coffee grounds possess a remarkable ability to hold substantial moisture. While this might initially seem advantageous, it can prove quite detrimental to houseplants. Their exceptional moisture retention can lead to the over-saturation of a plant’s root system when directly applied to the soil surface.
For houseplants, incorporating grounds into the soil in small amounts is essential. When left on the surface, they can act as a barrier, hindering water from reaching the roots.
In such instances, the plant roots swell excessively, impeding nutrient absorption. Consequently, the houseplant yellows due to insufficient nourishment, while its root system gradually decays and perishes.
To harness the benefits of coffee grounds and leftover coffee without causing harm, the solution lies in brewing a weak tea. This method ensures a gradual and gentle power-up for your plants, encouraging robust growth without causing harm.
Making A Fertilizer Tea With Coffee – How To Fertilize Houseplants With Coffee Grounds
There are a few methods to prepare fertilizing tea. You can create it using leftover coffee or the grounds themselves. However, if opting for leftover coffee, it’s necessary to dilute it initially.
Why not directly water your plants with fresh-brewed coffee? Well, its nutrient content is too potent. For most houseplants, using it without dilution would overwhelm them.
Although undiluted coffee is overly concentrated, mixing it at a ratio of approximately 4 parts water to 1 part full-strength coffee proves beneficial in effectively energizing houseplants.
Repurposing leftover coffee into a diluted version is ideal for plant use. When used at full strength, it can potentially harm plants by providing an excessive amount of energy that might lead to burning.
To transform your old grounds into tea, simply repurpose them by making another batch of very mild coffee using the leftover grounds. Just retain the used grounds from the initial brew and proceed to prepare a fresh pot.
This subsequent brew will yield a much milder liquid—ideal for nurturing houseplants. Allow it to cool before use; this weak tea-like solution offers a gentle nutrient supply for your plants.
As a general guideline for frequency, you can “water” your houseplants with the weak coffee tea every 7 to 10 days. Using it more frequently could risk over-fertilizing indoor plants with an excess of nutrients.
Using The Right Coffee – How To Fertilize Houseplants With Coffee Grounds
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