Eggshells are essentially pure calcium carbonate, making them an excellent natural fertilizer for calcium-loving plants. They thrive on this extra boost, which helps them build strong cell walls and prevents structural issues like blossom end rot.
One final note: Make sure your soils aren't already alkaline before you add anything to up the pH; and never ever use eggshells or other pH-raisers around acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons.
Eggshells consist of 90 per cent calcium. Any plant that loves calcium will thank you if you crumble the eggshells and then spread them over the soil as fertiliser. These include peonies, chrysanthemums, tomatoes, onions, redcurrants, chives, chard and elderberries.
As a plant food, egg shells are therefore perfect for lime-loving plants such as brassicas, but are best avoided as a food for acid-loving plants, such as rhododendrons. The simplest way to use egg shells to benefit plants is by composting, adding the shells to garden and kitchen waste in a compost bin.
Mix the eggshell grit into the soil or sprinkle it around plants as a natural fertilizer and DIY pest deterrent. It's essential to crush the eggshells finely to speed up their decomposition process and make the nutrients more readily available to plants.
Yes, you can absolutely mix coffee grounds and eggshells together for your garden. Together, they make a fantastic, nutrient-rich DIY plant supplement. Coffee grounds provide nitrogen, which promotes green, leafy growth, while eggshells slowly release calcium, which helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
Do NOT Compost
Flowering plants that thrive in pots with eggshells are primarily those that love calcium or require a slightly alkaline soil to bloom optimally. Top potted candidates include heavy-blooming ornamentals like roses, hydrangeas, begonias, lilacs, marigolds, clematis, and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Many plants do not need or actively dislike Epsom salt. Because it is a form of magnesium sulfate, excess Epsom salt can disrupt nutrient balances, harm sensitive foliage, or kill plants adapted to low-nutrient soils.
Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate which helps promote healthy plants. Calcium is essential for strong root development, and using eggshells as natural planters adds an extra boost of nutrients to your soil as they decompose. Eggshells are ideal for starting seeds, whether indoors or outdoors.
Handling eggs? Wash your hands every time, even if you don't get egg on them! According to our recent study, we observed only 44% of people washing their hands after handling eggs, even though 74% say they do. Remember, harmful bacteria may lurk on the outside of the shell.
Empty eggshells are a treasure trove of calcium and nutrients. Instead of throwing them out, you can upcycle them into plant fertilizer, biodegradable seed starters, natural abrasive cleaners, or even a pet calcium supplement.
People often assume they can help “sharpen” disposal blades (a myth, by the way). But the reality is more complicated. While a single eggshell likely won't ruin your disposal, repeated use can clog drain lines.
Add finely pulverized eggshells to your plants 1 to 2 times a year (or once per season), or apply eggshell "tea" once every 2 to 4 weeks for a fast calcium boost. Because eggshells take months to decompose, grinding them into a fine powder yields the fastest results.
Plants prefer to rest between waterings. Keeping the soil too moist all the time can rot the roots. OVERWATERING is the #1 killer of houseplants.
Epsom salt provides plants with magnesium and sulfur. It is useful if a soil test confirms a magnesium deficiency, which can cause yellowing between leaf veins. However, excessive use can harm plants by blocking calcium absorption, so it should not be applied universally.
Plants that benefit the most from eggshells are calcium-heavy feeders and those susceptible to "blossom end rot." Because eggshells are primarily calcium carbonate, they promote healthy cell growth, prevent rotting, and improve soil quality.
The best DIY fertilizer depends on your specific plants, but the most effective all-around organic feeds are Compost Tea and Banana Peel/Eggshell Tea. These utilize common kitchen and garden waste to provide balanced macro-nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, without the use of harsh chemicals.
Yes, you can put eggshells in potting soil, but they must be completely washed, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Whole or coarsely crushed shells break down very slowly (taking up to 3 to 4 years) and offer little immediate benefit.
Peace Lily Epsom salt helps peace lily grow greener leaves and look more fresh. Pothos Pothos grows faster and stronger when it gets a small amount of Epsom salt. African Violet African violet gets healthier leaves and brighter flowers with Epsom salt.
Plants that prefer slightly acidic soil (low pH) dislike eggshells because the calcium carbonate in the shells is alkaline and will raise the soil's pH. Adding eggshells can cause poor growth and yellow leaves in these varieties.
If you are looking for alternatives to Epsom salt, magnesium chloride flakes or Dead Sea salts are vastly superior for muscle recovery and skin absorption. If your goal is exfoliation or basic relaxation, sea salt or baking soda also make excellent substitutes.
Plants that benefit most from egg shell powder are those that require high calcium for growth or are prone to calcium deficiencies (like blossom-end rot). Top plants include:
Eggshells are highly durable and take anywhere from 3 months to over 5 years to decompose, depending on how they are prepared.
Eggshells can be beneficial for hydrangeas, primarily for their high calcium content and ability to reduce soil acidity. However, because whole eggshells decompose very slowly, they require proper preparation and must be used strategically based on your desired flower color.