Which plants benefit the most from coffee grounds?

Author: Ms. Oma Anderson  |  Last update: Friday, December 19, 2025

Coffee grounds are neutral to slightly acidic (pH can range from about 6.2 to 6.8), with fresh grounds containing more acid, which can affect soil pH. Acidic-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and roses will benefit from a sprinkling of coffee grounds around the base of plants.

What is the best plant to put coffee grounds on?

Plants that Like Coffee Grounds
  • Acid-Loving Plants : Azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries love acidic soil, making them great candidates for coffee ground mulch.
  • Tomatoes : Though not strictly acid-loving, tomatoes can benefit from the nitrogen boost that coffee grounds offer.
  • Carrots and Radishes
  • Roses

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.

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.

What are the disadvantages of coffee grounds as fertilizer?

Salts: Coffee grounds can contain salts, which can build up in the soil over time and become toxic to plants. Mold: Wet coffee grounds can attract mold, which can be harmful to plants. Caffeine: While caffeine is not toxic to plants in small quantities, it can be harmful if used in large amounts.

Benefits and Dangers of COFFEE GROUNDS and WOOD ASH in the Garden // Beginning Gardening

Do tomatoes like coffee grounds?

Tomatoes thrive in loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter content. Adding composted coffee grounds to planting beds is a great way to build healthy soil for tomato planting but won't provide all the required nutrients.

Can you put too many coffee grounds in your garden?

I've visited a site where a raised bed was ruined by too much coffee grounds. Like most kitchen waste, it is a fine amendment for the garden, but like anything else, coffee grounds can be overdone.” Contrary to popular belief, it's a myth that coffee grounds are acidic and will lower the pH of the soil.

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 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.

Which plants like banana water?

Here are some plants that appreciate the addition of banana water to their regular watering schedule:
  • Tropical houseplants such as pothos, snake plants, monsteras, and philodendrons;
  • Anthuriums;
  • Orchids;
  • Tomatoes;
  • Bell Peppers;
  • Roses;
  • Air plants;
  • Ferns;

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 plants like fresh or used coffee grounds?

When considering using coffee grounds to fertilize your houseplants, we recommend sticking with used coffee grounds. This is because fresh grounds can be high in acidity and caffeine, which can have a negative impact on your houseplants.

Which plants like egg shells?

It is beneficial to use egg shells when growing your own vegetables like tomato, pepper and aubergine or plants such as roses, hydrangeas, spider plants, ferns and ivy. Another way to add this homemade fertiliser to your plants is through a calcium solution.

Which houseplants do not like 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.

Do hydrangeas like coffee grounds?

Which plants like coffee grounds? Especially plants that like acidic soil are very happy with coffee grounds. For example, your beautiful hydrangeas, your radiant roses, the lawn or the lavender bushes, but also the gardenia, chamomile and rhododendrons.

Where should coffee grounds not be used in the garden?

For example, avoid adding any caffeine to plants that are germinating. Freshly seeded areas should be avoided as well. Fresh grounds, and caffeine in general, have allelopathic properties. This can stunt plant growth and do more harm than good.

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.

Are tea bags good for plants?

Tea Can Work As A Natural Fertilizer

As the tea leaves and bag begin to break down and decompose, they release nutrients into the soil that helps plants retain water and thrive. That said, you should use tea only on your plants that like acidic soil.

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 plants like coffee grounds best?

Coffee grounds are neutral to slightly acidic (pH can range from about 6.2 to 6.8), with fresh grounds containing more acid, which can affect soil pH. Acidic-loving plants such as azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and roses will benefit from a sprinkling of coffee grounds around the base of plants.

How often should I give plants coffee grounds?

A good rule of thumb is to feed and water your plants once a week with a weak coffee solution. They'll appreciate the additional nutrients, as well as the water. And while we're here, let's talk for a minute about those leftover coffee grounds as well.

Can I throw coffee grounds on my lawn?

The nutrients in coffee grounds are slowly broken down, allowing the turf to have a longer period of time to absorb them ensuring stronger turf for longer. Using coffee grounds as lawn fertilizer is also good for the worms. They love coffee almost as much as we do.

Are banana peels good for compost?

Benefits of Banana Peels

When used in compost or as a mulch, the soft skins break down quickly, adding organic materials that improve soil tilth and texture, retain water, and lighten heavy soils. And in worm farms, they make a fast turnover into rich castings.

Do coffee grounds repel ants?

You may love your morning coffee, but ants could do without it. Another natural way to deter ants, sprinkle coffee grounds outside and around your garden. The smell repels them and they'll be looking for a less caffeinated place to hang out.

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