Which plants to water with coffee grounds?

If you are wondering which plants to water with coffee grounds, you are probably looking for a natural fertilizer.

Coffee grounds are best for watering plants that like acidic soil. These include hydrangeas, roses, azaleas, gerberas, and begonias.

But that’s not all. Read on to find out which specific flowers can and cannot be watered with coffee grounds.

Which plants like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. They are necessary for the proper development of flowers. However, not all flowers appreciate this natural fertilizer. Here are some species that like coffee grounds:

• Hydrangeas. Coffee grounds lower the pH of the soil , which favors the growth of blue varieties of hydrangeas. They can be sprinkled directly under the plant or brewed and watered with a solution.
• Roses. Coffee grounds provide roses with more than just nutrients. They also protect them from pests such as aphids and ants. You can mix them with the ground or mulch the base of the plant with them.
• Azaleas. Coffee grounds help maintain an acidic soil pH that is optimal for azaleas. They can be scattered around the plant or brewed and watered once a week.
• Gerberas. Coffee grounds improve soil structure and provide gerberas with adequate moisture and permeability. They can be added to the compost or sprinkled under the plant.
• Begonias. Coffee grounds support the flowering of begonias and prevent fungal diseases. They can be sprinkled on the surface of the soil or brewed and watered every two weeks.

Which plants to water with coffee grounds at home?

Some flowers that like slightly acidic soil may benefit from watering with coffee grounds. Here are some examples of such plants:

• Azaleas and rhododendrons. These beautiful, colorful flowers need acidic soil for proper growth and flowering. Watering them with coffee grounds once a month will help maintain the proper pH of the soil. It will also provide them with the necessary nutrients.
• Begonias. By watering them with coffee grounds, you will increase resistance to diseases and pests. The grounds will also stimulate the growth of the begonias and improve the color of the flowers.
• Orchids. These exotic plants are very sensitive to water and soil quality. Watering them with coffee grounds can help them thrive as it provides them with an acidic environment and extra minerals.
• African Violets. These small and charming flowers with velvety leaves are easy to grow and do not require special care. Watering them with coffee grounds will improve their condition and extend the flowering period.
• Cyclamens. Watering them with coffee grounds improves soil structure and stimulates growth and flowering. Flowers should have more intense colors.

Are coffee grounds suitable for potted flowers?

Despite the fact that coffee grounds provide many nutrients, the answer is not clear. I will try to answer the question of whether coffee grounds are suitable for potted flowers.

Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and other micronutrients. They are necessary for the proper growth and development of plants. For this reason, coffee grounds can be used as a natural and cheap fertilizer that improves the structure and fertility of the soil.

Especially if you are a coffee lover like me 🙂

It is worth knowing that coffee grounds also have antifungal properties. Their effect is moderate and more preventive. If you have a potted plant that has been attacked by a fungus, it is better to use chemicals.

Coffee grounds also repel some pests, such as aphids and snails. While snails are unlikely to be found at home, aphids are possible. Aphids are quite a nuisance and multiply quickly, so it is worth using coffee grounds as a deterrent.

In addition to all this, coffee grounds add a slightly acidic pH to the soil. It is beneficial for many plant species. The pH of the soil is very important in the cultivation of plants. Improper pH makes it difficult for plants to take up nutrients from the soil.

This is why not all potted flowers like coffee grounds. Some plants prefer neutral or alkaline soil. Excess nitrogen can cause excessive vegetation at the expense of flowering.

Therefore, coffee grounds should be used with moderation and caution. It is good to check the plant’s nutrient needs and soil pH in advance. It is also a good idea to sift coffee grounds before use to remove any paper or plastic residue from the filters.

To sum up, coffee grounds are a good fertilizer for potted flowers. However, you must remember to use them in the right amounts and proportions.

What to water with coffee grounds in the garden?

Coffee grounds in the garden are a very popular fertilizer, so it’s worth knowing which plants can be watered with it. The list below indicates what to water with coffee grounds in the garden:

1. Acid-loving flowers: Plants such as hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and azaleas that prefer acidic soils.
2. Green plants: Leafy plants such as ferns, philodendrons, and orchids will benefit from the nutrients in the coffee grounds.
3. Vegetables and herbs: Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchini, can be fertilized with small amounts of coffee grounds. Herbs such as rosemary and thyme will also benefit from this fertilization.
4. Garden flowers: Coffee grounds in moderate amounts can be used to fertilize garden flowers. They will be good for plants such as geraniums, begonias, and marigolds.

Below you will find a list of garden plants that are best watered with coffee grounds :

• Hydrangeas. Coffee grounds lower the pH of the soil, which favors the development of blue-flowered hydrangeas. Watering the hydrangea with coffee grounds once a week helps to obtain an intense color of the inflorescences.
• Roses. Coffee grounds provide roses with nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium, which are essential for their healthy growth and flowering. Watering roses with coffee grounds once a month will improve their condition and prevent diseases.
• Tomatoes. Coffee grounds help keep the soil moist and warm, which is good for tomatoes. In addition, coffee grounds prevent the growth of mold and fungus that can attack tomatoes. Watering tomatoes with coffee grounds every two weeks increases the yield and flavor of the fruit. Instead of watering, you can put a handful of coffee grounds under the tomatoes before quilting. This way, the tomatoes will continuously benefit from the coffee grounds.
• Ferns. Coffee grounds are rich in iron, which is essential for ferns. Watering the ferns with coffee grounds every week will keep them green and lush.
• Citrus. Coffee grounds contain citric acid, which helps lower the pH of soils. It also facilitates the absorption of nutrients by citrus. Watering citrus grounds every two weeks will support their growth and fruiting.

What plants do coffee grounds go to?

Coffee grounds are suitable for watering all ornamental plants that like an acidic pH.

They are also suitable for watering some vegetables and fruits that I have detailed in this article.

The benefits of watering flowers with coffee

Watering your plants with coffee grounds has many benefits. First of all, coffee is a natural fertilizer. It is rich in nutrients that are necessary for growth.

Coffee grounds contain:

• nitrogen,
• potassium,
• phosphorus
• calcium,
• magnesium,
• iron,
• zinc

Coffee as a safe flower food

The richness of nutrients makes coffee grounds one of the best nutrients for flowers. Most importantly, it is natural. No chemicals make it easy to use at home.

I love flowers and had many concerns about fertilizing the flowers in my son’s room with artificial fertilizers. I just try to avoid any chemicals that are not essential to life.

Coffee grounds turned out to be an excellent alternative for me. I use them to this day for some of the flowers that grow in my son’s room.

Which coffee grounds are suitable for watering plants and flowers?

Ground coffee grounds are best for watering plants and flowers. They have the most nutrients and microorganisms. They enrich the soil.

The method of brewing coffee is also important. Hot coffee grounds are better than cold coffee grounds. They have a higher level of acidity and contain more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Coffee grounds poured into cold water, on the other hand, are more inert and have fewer nutrients.

The storage of coffee grounds also affects their quality. It is best to store them in a dry and cool place in an airtight container. They should not be exposed to moisture, light, or heat as they can mold.

Brewed grounds must be used within a few days of brewing coffee.

Disadvantages of watering flowers with coffee grounds

Despite the fact that coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer, they have several disadvantages.

First of all, they are not suitable for all types of plants. They are best for those that like acidic soil (e.g. azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, or heathers). Calciphilous plants, such as succulents, orchids, and ferns, should not be watered with coffee. This can impair their growth and make it difficult to absorb nutrients from the soil.

You also need to remember that coffee contains caffeine. This can have a negative effect on the growth and development of some plants. For this reason, young or delicate plants should not be watered with coffee. It is best to dilute coffee with water in a ratio of 1:4 or 1:6 to reduce its concentration.

How to water flowers with coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds can be used in several different ways. Here are a few of them:

• Sprinkle dry grounds on the surface of the soil around plants that like acidic soil. Coffee grounds will lower the pH of the soil and provide plants with nitrogen and potassium.
• Brew the grounds again and get a weak infusion that you can water your plants with. Such an infusion is rich in microelements and stimulates plant growth. You can use it once every two weeks, but do not overdo it, because you can cause iron deficiency in the soil.
• Make compost from coffee grounds by mixing them with other organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable peels, leaves, or grass. Coffee grounds compost is an excellent fertilizer for all garden and potted plants.
• Use coffee grounds to control pests such as snails, ants, and aphids. Coffee grounds have an irritating smell and taste to these animals and will scare them away from your garden. Just sprinkle the grounds around the plants or dissolve them in water and spray the plants.

Coffee grounds under flowers

I mentioned this before, but it’s very important. Coffee grounds can also be used as a substrate, e.g. for tomatoes . In this way, you will create very favorable conditions for their growth.

As the tomatoes grow, their root system will get deeper and deeper. So they will grow into coffee grounds mixed with soil. The richness of nitrogen in coffee grounds will make them grow intensively. You just have to remember to peel the tomatoes so they don’t go into leaves, but into fruit.

Which flowers and plants cannot be watered with coffee grounds?

I strongly advise against watering coffee grounds with plants that like soil with a high pH, ​​i.e. alkaline.

Coffee grounds can lower the pH of the soil and make it more acidic. Calciphilous plants may then suffer from an excess of nutrients. This, in turn, can lead to their excessive growth or disease. Calciphilous plants include, among others:

• lavender
• rosemary
• thyme
• sage
• geraniums
• fuchsias
• Gerbers

Coffee grounds also contain salt, which can be harmful to some plants. Salt can accumulate in the soil and interfere with the process of water uptake by the roots. Salt-sensitive plants may then show signs of drying out. They will wilt, turn brown and drop their leaves. Salt-sensitive plants include :

• orchids
• ferns
• dracaena
• palm trees
• ficuses
• aloes
• succulents

Summary. What plants to water with coffee grounds?

As you can see, coffee grounds can be a valuable source of nutrients, but you need to know how to use them. Coffee grounds are suitable for watering plants that like acidic soil. They include e.g. roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, violets, begonias and orchids.

They must not be used to water plants that like alkaline soil and are sensitive to salt.

Do geraniums like coffee grounds?

Geraniums like coffee grounds because they are rich in nitrogen, potassium and magnesium.

How to water flowers with coffee grounds?

Flowers are best watered with a diluted solution of coffee grounds. It is enough to mix coffee grounds with a liter of water, and then water acidophilous flowers with this solution.