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