You can make the most of your everyday brew for your indoor garden if you…
…love coffee and gardening.
It is important for you to understand what benefits they give to your plants…
…and how they benefit your plants…
..as well as how you can correctly and efficiently use them in your garden.
Hear it from Cindy!
I love my morning coffee every time I have the chance to brew it myself…
There’s a sense of calmness in the brewing and drinking process…
Usually, the waste from my brew will not go directly to the bin…
…but to the houseplants, I have at home!
My gardener friend told me that it would be beneficial…
… for the nitrogen intake of the plants – in the right amount of course.
So far, I haven’t had any problems with the coffee grounds in my houseplants…
That’s right!
Despite being an excellent source of nutrition for plants…
… it needs to be used in moderation.
The use of coffee grounds is ideal for the growth of houseplants…
… such as African Violets, Cyclamen, and Philodendrons.
What Do Coffee Grounds Do?
Coffee grounds are excellent for fertilizing plants…
The benefits they offer in keeping the soil healthy…
…has led to their use in composting and outdoor gardens…
They are acidic but do not change the pH level of the soil when added.
Nitrogen is given out by the coffee grounds…
As a major component of chlorophyll, it is important to plants…
When they receive the right amount of nitrogen, their growth and development will be improved…
All plants utilize nitrogen (N) in the form of NO3- and NH4+. It is most imperative element for proper growth and development of plants which significantly increases and enhances the yield and its quality by playing a vital role in biochemical and physiological functions of plant.
Shah Jahan Leghar, Niaz Ahmed Wahocho, Ghulam Mustafa Laghari, and Abdul Hafeez Laghari in Role of Nitrogen for Plant Growth and Development: A review
There are three types of soil nitrogen:
- Organic Nitrogen – Majority of the Soil Nitrogen is made up of Organic Nitrogen.
- Ammonium (NH4+) – NH4+ positive ions bind with the soil’s negative ions in a Cation Exchange Complex (CEC) and practically behave like other cations in the soil.
- Nitrate (NO3–) – Negative ions do not bind with the soil due to the principle of “like charges repel”, instead they dissolve in soil water and precipitate as soluble salts.
Soil nitrogen is primarily made up of Organic Nitrogen that comes from either plant or animal residues…
Ammonium (NH4+) is a common form of nitrogen in plants…
…whereas Nitrate (NO3–) is found more commonly in inorganic forms like ammonia (NH4–).
The use of nitrogen by plants requires large amounts…
…and even if nitrogen is readily available in the atmosphere…
…the absorption process may take some time.
Most plants with restrained root systems as a result of compaction…
…will suffer from nitrogen shortages.
A nitrogen deficiency in plants can result in their stems getting thinner…
… their leaves losing color, and their growth is stunted.
If too little nitrogen is absorbed, a plant will eventually die…
Nitrogen is not the only nutrient present…
Potassium and phosphorus are also essential elements to…
…maintaining the health of your plants.
Benefits Of Using Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds have been used by experienced gardeners to solve all kinds of plant issues…
… and have been used for various plants in different settings.
Reduce Plant Disease
Natural microorganisms content available prevent most pathogenic fungi from growing…
… thereby preventing plants from rotting.
Deter Pests
Even though pests are not a big problem indoors…
… it’s still worthwhile to mention that…
… it deters pests that cause harm to your plants.
They’re especially effective against slugs…
Improve Soil Quality
The grounds decompose, releasing beneficial micronutrients such as nitrogen…
…potassium and phosphorus.
They are good fertilizers that eventually lead to a better plant.
However, results may not be immediate…
Water Retention
Coffee grounds help houseplants use water less frequently…
Thus making your job much easier…
Indoor plants don’t really need to be watered that often, having said that…
Provides Drainage
If you have watered your plants a bit more than necessary…
…it helps break down the soil and prevent stagnant water…
…that might cause rotting in your plant’s roots.
Wait, I have a solution for you!
This moisture meter is a must-have if you’re a total newbie or if you’re just really into plants after a series of failures like I was. That way you’ll know exactly when to hydrate your plants.
- Reliable and accurate: Sensing probe ensures accurate and instant testing results, matching for both indoor or outdoor use.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Keeps Cats Away
The coffee grounds might be ideal for cat owners…
They will deter cats from using your flower pots or plant beds as litter boxes…
Through these points…
..it is evident that they are highly beneficial…
…but they should be used in moderation. After all, too much of anything…
…can be dangerous in the end.
Where To Get And How To Store Coffee Grounds?
For those of you not drinking them but would like to experiment…
… with the use of coffee grounds in your little indoor garden…
… you can easily get some at any of your local cafes.
It’s free and plentiful everywhere…
All you need to do is ask…
Some big-name companies will re-package these grounds and…
…display them in their store free for anyone who needs them.
Tips Of Use In Your Indoor Garden
You should be cautious when using the grounds…
Too much of them can poison your plants…
…so they should only be used in moderation…
Below are some tips for correctly utilizing the grounds:
Don’t Use on Seedlings
For young plants, coffee grounds contain high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium…
You can use them when you have already repotted your seedlings…
..or when they are already mature.
Or even better…
On the recommendation of my gardener friend, on how to grow hanging and potted plants well and bloom beautifully, I bought this product for the progress of my seedlings.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Mix With Your Mulch
Mulch is a layer of material applied to your soil in order to provide it with…
…nutrition and insulation.
It would be best to mix them with mulch rather than going straight into the soil…
…as they have a lot of micronutrients which are readily available for plants to…
…consume.
The result of this process is a mixture of earth and snow elements.
Finding the right mulch? Ok, you get me. This mulch was laid down about two months ago. The weeds have been kept at bay. I like the color: it’s almost black, but not quite. This mulch comes highly recommended.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
1:3 Ratio
We mentioned earlier that coffee grounds should be used in moderation.
Mixing the grounds directly into the ground would be less effective than…
…covering the soil with mulch.
The ratio of 1 part coffee grounds to 3 parts soil should be used…
This is only for soil that does not have any plants in it yet…
Mixing the grounds deeply would cause physical damage to the roots…
…of your plant.
Next…
Water After Application
Experts suggest watering the potted plant’s soil after you have applied…
…enough of them. The moisture helps bind the grounds, soil, and mulch…
…together.
- Protects against over- and under-watering
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Use Sparingly
Particularly when used in small containers or pots…
…they need to be used in small amounts…
A tablespoon of coffee ground will be enough for a small plant…
You only need a thin layer on top of the soil…
Those tips will help you get the most out of the coffee grounds…
…you have at home…
Houseplants That Thrive With Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are definitely the best choice…
… if you’re looking for a more organic means of fertilizing your plants.
However, not all plants would thrive due to the level of nitrogen they produce…
Here are a few plants that would thrive with them:
- Philodendrons (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) are helped by soaking the veins in them.
- Jade Plants (Crassula ovata) have thicker leaves and longer stems thanks to their presence in the soil.
- Christmas Cacti (Schlumbergera spp.) You can manage good drainage and avoid stagnate water, which would eventually kill the plant through rotting. The micronutrients in coffee grounds also help flowering.
- Succulent Cyclamens (Cyclamen hederifolium) make great houseplants. Plants flourish with it mixed into the soil, with lush green leaves and winter blooms.
- The African Violet, Saintpaulia spp. love nitrogen and acid; they will therefore flourish in a pot containing coffee grounds, as long as coffee is not spilled on the leaves.
The plants listed here thrive in acidic soils…
Even though the chances of coffee grounds changing the pH of your soil is very unlikely…
… most coffee grounds are acidic.
The deep root zone contributes to the acid need of the plant itself…
… since it is part of the whole soil system.
How Often Should You Use Coffee Grounds In Your Houseplant?
Since coffee grounds contain plenty of organic matter…
… you can be sure that it will make a great addition to your indoor garden…
You shouldn’t add them to your plant’s pot daily since this would cause an imbalance…
… in the nutrients, they get and eventually cause damage to your plant.
The number of coffee grounds you should give your plants…
…every 4 to 6 weeks is usually sufficient.
Because the consistency of the grounds is quite fine…
… you may not need as much to maximize their benefits.
For years, coffee grounds have been used to plant outdoor vegetable and fruit gardens…
By realizing the potential of this apparently waste material…
… we can truly transform the way we grow our own gardens.
To Sum Up
Coffee grounds do help houseplants to prosper…
With the right amount and frequency of application…
Your houseplants will thrive and get the benefits of coffee grounds…
… such as deterring pests, give better drainage, and providing nutrients.
Conclusion
There are still many recent and interesting articles about Snake Plants…
… as well as other unique information from All Things Gardener.
Check out more posts on our website like this one here!
For further information and other inquiries…
… you can contact us here.