Are coffee grounds good for tomato and cucumber plants?

Author: Sydnee Muller  |  Last update: Friday, January 9, 2026

Coffee grounds contain about 2% nitrogen and trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium. These macronutrients are really important to the growth of your tomatoes.

How often should I put coffee grounds in my tomato plants?

How often can I put coffee grounds on my tomato plants? A sprinkling of coffee grounds mixed into the soil before planting tomatoes will not harm the plants. However, no additional coffee grounds should be added to the soil during the growing season.

Do cucumbers like coffee grounds?

Acidic-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and roses will benefit from a sprinkling of coffee grounds around the base of plants. Vegetable crops that may benefit from coffee grounds include carrots, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, and radishes.

Which vegetables do not like coffee grounds?

The plants that like coffee grounds include roses, blueberries, azaleas, carrots, radishes, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, cabbage, lilies, and hollies. These are all acid-loving plants that grow best in acidic soil. You'll want to avoid using coffee grounds on plants like tomatoes, clovers, and alfalfa.

Can I just sprinkle coffee grounds on plants?

Coffee grounds can most certainly be added to your compost and also directly to your soil. Instead of simply tossing them out though, you may wish to incorporate them a bit more thoroughly by digging them in.

Are Coffee Grounds Good for Tomato Plants?

Are there any plants you should not put coffee grounds on?

Avoid using coffee grounds on alkaline-loving trees, such as linden, ironwood, red chestnut and arborvitae. Coffee grounds used as mulch or compost inhibit plant growth on geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass. Definitely don't use coffee grounds with these plants.

Are eggshells good for plants?

Eggshells can strengthen plant roots and aid in healthy growth, particularly of rapidly growing varieties. Increases calcium. The calcium carbonate in eggshells can help reduce the potential for blossom end rot in certain plants, an issue that can arise due to insufficient calcium levels.

Can you put too many coffee grounds in your vegetable garden?

Excess coffee grounds, if applied to the soil before composting, have multiple effects on the soil system. In addition to microorganisms tying up nitrogen temporarily, the caffeine residues in the spent coffee grounds can suppress germination and slow the growth of some plants.

What bugs are repelled by coffee grounds?

You can use your coffee grounds to repel mosquitos, fruit flies, beetles and other pests. To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, simply set out bowls of grounds or sprinkle them around outdoor seating areas. You can also keep pests out of your garden by scattering coffee grounds around your plants.

Why do tomatoes not like coffee grounds?

Risks Of Using Coffee Grounds With Tomato Plants

If applied as a thick mulch or top dressing, coffee grounds can form a dense mat that reduces water and air penetration into the soil. Additionally, coffee grounds should not be used in seed-starting mixes as they may inhibit germination.

What not to plant near cucumbers?

Here are a few plants that do not grow well with cucumbers:
  • Pumpkin (Cucurbita)
  • Squash (Cucurbita)
  • Courgette (Cucurbita pepo)
  • Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
  • Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
  • Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
  • Kale (Brassica oleracea)
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)

How often should I put coffee grounds on my plants?

Do not sprinkle more than a thin layer around your plants, or the coffee grounds can become impenetrable, preventing water from getting into the soil. If you evenly sprinkle coffee grounds around the plants once a week or so, the amount will likely be okay.

How do you perk up cucumber plants?

Cucumbers love water, lots and lots of water. Take the hose to them and let the water flow. And even if they are well watered, extreme heat can make them wilt slightly. Watch after the sun goes down, they'll perk right back up.

What do you sprinkle around tomato plants?

Second when tomatos begin to appear and are about 1 inch in diameter lightly sprinkle baking soda around each plant to make them sweeter. Repeat this process again when tomatoes are about half grown.

Do you put coffee grounds on plants wet or dry soil?

Cover the soil around the plant's trunk with well-dried coffee grounds and water abundantly. Each watering will release nitrogen from the coffee grits and penetrate into the soil with water, soaking the plant's root system, thereby strengthening it and protecting it from pests.

Are egg shells good for tomato plants?

The eggshells will naturally decompose, and they will add calcium and nitrogen to your soil; necessary nutrients for your plants. Calcium is very good for tomatoes because it prevents blossom end rot.

What animal hates coffee grounds?

Will coffee grounds keep rabbits away? Sprinkling coffee grounds among your plants may help to ward off rabbits and other small mammals due to coffee's powerful scent.

Do coffee grounds attract mice?

Mice typically do not like coffee grounds scattered around the kitchen. The strong aroma of coffee is generally unpleasant to mice, which can act as a deterrent.

Do mosquitoes hate coffee grinds?

Since coffee grounds have such a pungent and intense smell, mosquitoes do not like to come near it. Mosquitoes are repulsed by all types of coffee, whether it is fresh, used, or burnt. The most effective way to use coffee grounds for mosquito control is by burning them, as it creates a stronger aroma.

Which plants cannot use coffee grounds?

Which plants do not like coffee grounds? Some plants do not benefit from adding coffee grounds to their soil. Plants like lilacs and lavender prefer alkaline soil, so the slight acidity may harm them. The caffeine in coffee grounds can also harm some herbs and geraniums.

Can I just sprinkle coffee grounds in my garden?

Coffee grounds are an excellent compost ingredient and are fine to apply directly onto the soil around most garden plants if used with care and moderation. Coffee grounds contain nutrients that plants use for growth.

Which vegetables like coffee grounds?

Vegetable crops that may benefit from coffee grounds include carrots, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, and radishes. Whether or not tomato plants benefit from the use of coffee grounds is inconclusive.

What vegetable plants do not like egg shells?

"Plants like strawberries, blueberries, kale, and cabbage prefer slightly acidic soil and adding in eggshells can do more harm than good," says Jen McDonald, certified organic gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls, a garden design company based in Houston, Texas.

What do banana peels do for plants?

Banana peels contain: calcium, which promotes root growth helps add oxygen to your soil. magnesium, which assists with photosynthesis. sulphur, which helps plants develop strong roots and repel pests.

What is the best homemade fertilizer?

Five Affordable and Easy DIY Organic Fertilizers You Can Find Right In Your Home
  • Eggshells. Save your eggshells people, I cannot stress this enough. ...
  • Rice Water. If you aren't washing your rice before you cook it, you should really try it...and then save the water for your house plants! ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Potato Water. ...
  • Banana Peels.

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