Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
Learn About Our Editorial Policy

2-Minute Read

Confused about Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds? Don’t worry! We have got you covered with our detailed list!

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds

Before you try to use a soil amendment like caffeine, it is important to know Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds. Keep on reading to know everything about it.

Check out Growing Mushrooms in Coffee Grounds here


How to Use Coffee for Plants?

Coffee grounds help plants that like acidic growing medium, as they are an excellent source of nitrogen, improving the growth of the beneficial microorganisms in the soil. 

  • You use the leftover brewed coffee water for plants. Use one cup every 3-4 weeks on the base of the plant after diluting it with water in a 1:1 blend.
  • Coffee grounds can also be used as an organic matter. Mix 1 part of coffee grounds with 3 parts of garden soil and add it to the growing medium once in 3-4 months.
  • Adding coffee grounds to the compost bin is also a good idea. You can also side-dress plants with used coffee grounds once in 2-3 months.
  • Avoid using coffee on young plants or seedlings.

Learn about the Best Coffee Space with Plant Ideas here


Which Plants Like Coffee Grounds?

1. Hydrangeas

Botanical Name: Hydrangea macrophylla

Add coffee grounds to the soil around your hydrangeas during late fall. Repeat this 2-3 times per year and watch them bloom vivid and large flowers!

2. Azalea

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 2

Botanical Name: Rhododendron

This acid-loving plant enjoys a coffee treat, and you can mix a handful of coffee grounds in the pot once in 4-6 months to boost the flowering and colors.

Note: Remember, if your soil is high in nitrogen, the additional boost from coffee grounds can stunt the growth of azalea flowers. It would be a good idea to do a soil test before you proceed. 

Find out some Cozy Coffee Spots in the House here

3. Lily of the Valley

Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis

Feed this flowering plant once in 2-3 months with a handful of coffee grounds or leftover water from brewed coffee. It will boost its growth.

4. Blueberries

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 8

Botanical Name: Vaccinium sect. cyanococcus

Blueberries require a constant nitrogen supply and love acidic soil. These bushes are at the top of the list that enjoys coffee grounds and will surely grow plenty of berries if you treat them with coffee water every 4-6 weeks.

Learn How to Grow Blueberries in Container here

5. Holly

Botanical Name: Ilex

Spread a handful of coffee grounds surrounding the base of holly shrubs and trees for dense leaves and best berry production. Do this every 5-8 weeks.

6. Roses

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 10

Botanical Name: Rosa

Roses love nitrogen and acidic soil. You can grow beautiful flowers by feeding half a cup of black coffee water per plant once in 4-6 weeks.

Have a look at the best roses that bloom in shade here

7. Christmas Cactus

Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii

Feed your Christmas cactus once a month with coffee-enriched water. This will boost the growth and also help it into wonderful flowering blooms.

Learn How to Make a Christmas Cactus Bloom at Christmas here

8. Pothos

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 18

Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum

Water pothos occasionally with a black coffee solution. You can also add 2-3 teaspoons of coffee grounds to the potting soil every 2 months.

Check out the benefits of growing pothos here

9. Philodendron

bybrittanygoldwyn

Botanical Name: Philodendron

Add a handful of coffee grounds to the potting mix every 4-6 months to make the leaves bushier. You can also use coffee water once a month.

Check out the best variegated Philodendrons here

10. African Violet

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 25

Botanical Name: Saintpaulia spp.

African Violets love acid and nitrogen-rich growing medium, and adding coffee ground to the soil every 4-6 weeks will help the plant thrive and grow colorful flowers.

Learn How to Propagate African Violets here

11. Cyclamen

Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum

You can assist in dense growth by watering the cyclamen in its flowering season with coffee and water solution once every 2-3 weeks.

12. Jade Plant

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 35

Botanical Name: Crassula ovata

Jade plants love nitrogen, as it boosts thick stem and leaves growth. You can water it with a coffee solution every month.

Learn how to get a big and bushy jade plant here

13. Snake Plant

shutterstock/Tori_Alice

Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata

Mother-in-law’s tongue relishes an occasional coffee treat. Make a solution of 1 part coffee and 2 parts water and sprinkle on the potting mix once in 4-5 weeks.

Check out these Beautiful Snake Plants that Flower

14. Spider Plant

Which Plants Like and Do Not Like Coffee Grounds 48

Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum

The variegated spider-like leaves of the plant will have a deep color and dense growth with the coffee ground application. Use 1 part coffee and 3 parts water every 4-6 weeks.

Have a look at the Guide on Correct Uses here


Which Plants Do Not Like Coffee Grounds

Excessive acidic soil can kill or hamper the growth of plants like asparagus fern, Chinese mustard, Italian ryegrass, lavender, orchids, rosemary, tomatoes, and geranium.

The roots of these plants are also not potent to absorb the nutrients added by the coffee grounds in the soil.

The growth of plants that don’t like excessively acidic mediums might also get hampered by the altered soil pH due to the regular application of coffee grounds.

Check out 10 Houseplants that Love Coffee here

Recent Posts

Join our 3 Million Followers:

[easy-followers hide_title="yes" new_window="yes" nofollow="yes" show_total="no" total_type="text_before" columns="3" template="roundcolor" nospace="no" hide_value="no" hide_text="no"]

Related Articles

1 COMMENT

  1. Used coffee grounds are not acidic, after brewing, the grounds are close to pH neutral, between 6.5 and 6.8. If you think about it, it makes sense, as the acidicy of the fresh grounds transfer to the beverage, right? This is a common misconception.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here