Do you like coffee?!? Know that you are not the only one!
If you didn’t already know, a lot of your favorite plants LOVE coffee grounds. They’re acidic, rich in nitrogen, and promote healthy, vigorous plant growth.
Yeah…that means every day you throw away a handful of wet coffee grounds into the bin, somebody out there is using them to make their garden more productive and serene. Think about it…
This article will walk you through a long list of plants we all know and love that would significantly benefit from the use of coffee grounds.
Let’s jump right into it, shall we?
17 Plants That (really!) LOVE Coffee Grounds
17 – Tomatoes
Kicking the list off with everyone’s favorite – tomatoes. Coffee grounds provide tomatoes with a boost of nitrogen, which encourages better foliage development and fruiting.
Furthermore, tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil and coffee is the perfect way to lower the pH of the soil for efficient plant growth and better yields.
16 – Garlic
Another classic vegetable that you probably love – garlic. Adding coffee grounds to soil where garlic is planted can help improve soil fertility and structure.
The slow nitrogen release from the grounds obviously has benefits of its own. It promotes healthier bulb development, which means improved yields.
15 – Onions
Another bulbous vegetable that greatly benefits from coffee grounds is onion. The grounds work to reduce soil compaction, which aids with fuller and more even root development.
If you want, you can use coffee grounds as mulch to support healthier and prevent waterlogging issues.
14 – Cucumbers
For cucumber growth, coffee grounds aid in maintaining good soil structure and retaining moisture. The slow-releasing nitrogen in the coffee helps the plant better develop root systems and support more vigorous fruiting, which directly translates to higher fruit yield.
13 – Basil
Since coffee grounds boost nitrogen levels in the soil, basil is a herb that significantly benefits from that boost. Higher nitrogen content supports lush and vigours leaf growth in a basil plant and improves soil structure for the plant to thrive.
12 – Rosemary
Rosemary is the perfect winter herb that just oozes the essence of Christmas. Coffee grounds can help a rosemary plant maintain the acidity it needs in the soil and help with the development of its root system.
11 – Mint
Mint requires aeration and drainage for the best growth and reducing chances of root rot. Coffee grounds help with this by improving soil structure and providing plenty of nitrogen that supports new and healthy leaf growth.
If your soil is too dry and lacks moisture, adding the grounds to it will help retain moisture better, ensuring proper hydration for the plant.
10 – Blueberries
Acidic soil is ideal for growing blueberries to their fullest potential. Coffee grounds add acidity to soil which will help create a better growing environment for them while improving soil structure on the side
If excessive weeds are starting to grow around your blueberry bush, using coffee grounds as mulch can suppress those weeds and improve moisture retention.
9 – Strawberries
Strawberries too enjoy growth in acidic soil. Coffee grounds not only lower the pH of the soil but also contribute to improving soil fertility and structure which is an important element of growing the best fruit you can.
The nutrient boost (particularly nitrogen) from the coffee will also enhance fruit production and ensure you harvest plump, juicy strawberries that offer a heavenly sweet taste.
8 – Pumpkins
Coffee grounds benefit pumpkins because they enrich the soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen which supports vine growth and improved fruit development.
Additionally, the grounds improve aeration and moisture retention in the soil, meaning less chance of developing root rot or facing dryness issues.
7 – Squash
Improved soil fertility and structure that will come from coffee grounds benefit squash and its different varieties very well. The grounds not only support water retention, and root development but also drastically improve soil texture which plays a major role in squash growth.
6 – Peppers
If you’re fond of spicy stuff and happen to be growing peppers in your garden, adding coffee grounds to the plant’s soil will boost overall nutrient content while improving aeration. You’ll witness your pepper plants fruiting in abundance rapidly and getting a lot stronger in no time.
5 – Roses
Yes, you read that right! Even roses can benefit from coffee grounds mixed into the soil!
They would particularly appreciate the slow-releasing nitrogen that would aid with better foliage development and blooming. You’ll definitely witness a noticeable difference in overall plant health and the vibrancy of its blooms.
4 – Hydrangeas
For hydrangeas, coffee grounds will help maintain a decent level of acidity in the soil which is beneficial for the plant’s growth.
The grounds add nutrients to the soil like nitrogen and trace minerals as well as improve soil structure that can have a positive impact on the plant’s health. You’ll also get vigorous and more colorful blooms.
3 – Gardenias
For optimal growth and blooming, gardenias need acidic soil and there’s no better way to achieve it than coffee grounds. They alter the pH of the soil ever so slightly but enough to really make a difference.
Your gardenias will bloom pearl-like, vibrant flowers thanks to the nutrient boost and soil improvement that will come from the coffee grounds.
2 – Fuchsias
Fuchsias thrive in slightly acidic soil and will benefit greatly from coffee grounds. The additional nitrogen will encourage robust growth and flowering, bringing your garden to life like never before.
In a way, the grounds will increase the soil’s organic matter content meaning it will be nutrient-dense and able to support vigorous growth.
1 – Hostas
Although hostas don’t necessarily require acidic soil, it still won’t hurt to provide them with some. Coffee grounds can be beneficial for them because they improve soil texture and provide hostas with a good kick of nutrients which would directly translate to better foliage and lush blooms.
How Coffee Grounds Benefit Plants
Coffee grounds benefit plants because they contain essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
A combination of these nutrients helps plants develop strong root systems, lush foliage, fruit, and vibrant blooms.
Additionally, coffee grounds lower soil pH which creates an optimal growing environment for plants that thrive in slightly acidic soil.
Some gardeners prefer using them as mulch since they work well for suppressing weeds and maintaining a stable soil temperature.
How To Use Coffee Grounds Safely
My number one tip for using coffee grounds is to use them in moderation!
When people hear that something is beneficial for their plants or garden, they tend to overuse it in hopes of obtaining more yield or better gardening results. More is NOT better!
If you add excessive amounts of coffee grounds to your soil, it will likely become too acidic, which would be harmful even for plants that thrive in acidic soil.
Furthermore, an overly dense layer of coffee grounds would make it harder for water to penetrate the soil properly.
How To Test For Acidic Soil
The most accurate way to test for acidic soil would be to use a soil pH test kit that you can easily get from your local gardening center or order online.
All you’ll need to do is collect soil samples from different areas of your garden and either mix them with some sort of testing solution with water or run them through a digital pH meter. Make sure to collect multiple soil samples so variability is ruled out.
Typically, the test will involve comparing the color change or digital reading to a pH scale or chart that will help you determine the soil’s acidity.
To Conclude…
Many plants can significantly benefit from coffee grounds, but if they don’t receive this boost, I’m afraid you might never see them reach their fullest growth, blooming, and fruiting potential.
Hopefully, this article convinced you to give coffee grounds a try in your garden and see how many of your favorite plants love the generous nutrient and acidity boost.
