Use coffee granules in the garden for ‘greener’ and ‘healthier’ plants

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The experts at WeThrift has shared how using coffee can be great for both houseplants and plants outside. According to the pros, the hot beverage can be used as a fertiliser for plants because it contains a range of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium, all of which plants need to thrive.

The experts explained: “Coffee is an especially great source of nitrogen, which your plants need to produce greener, healthier and stronger stems.

“Mixing coffee grounds into your compost heap is an organic way to give your plants a huge boost.

“Despite their brown colour, coffee is considered to be a green compost material because it is kitchen waste. A healthy compost mix should contain even amounts of both greens and browns.

“Greens include kitchen waste products such as coffee or eggshells, as well as any other fresh or green products like fresh grass, clipped flowers or even weeds.

“Browns include any carbon-rich products such as fallen leaves, dried grass, wood shops and paper including paper coffee filters.”

Using coffee during the winter months can be extremely beneficial for plants, according to the experts. 

This is because the coffee grounds can work their way into the soil during freeze-thaw cycles, whereas some other products may end up freezing in the cold temperatures.

The experts added: “Coffee will help protect your pocket as well as your plants since you can feed them with any leftover coffee you had in the house anyway, rather than going out and buying expensive fertilisation products to supplement your plants’ diet during winter.

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“Whether they are to be found outside or inside, most plants will benefit from the extra boost in nutrients that coffee grounds can provide.

“Coffee grounds can still be used for most houseplants for very similar results. Diluted coffee will continue to work as an efficient and organic fertiliser for a much healthier-looking houseplant.

“You will struggle to find any plants that will not benefit from being fed coffee, however, there are plants that should only be fed coffee in moderation and others that like plenty of it.”

Outdoor plants which love coffee include hydrangeas, blueberry bushes, hollies and azaleas.

Whether using granules or diluted coffee, it is best to apply the coffee thinly to the soil, away from the plant’s stem, leaves or flowers.

WeThrift experts continued: “If you are using coffee grounds, be sure to rake them into the soil to avoid clumping, as the coffee will be more effective the more it is spread out.

“Remember there is no need to go out of your way to make coffee for your plants when you can simply use the leftovers from your own morning cup.”

As well as being a great fertiliser, coffee grounds can be used around plants to make them less appealing towards slugs.

The experts said it is the combination of the high caffeine content as well as the abrasive texture which puts slugs off munching away on nearby plants.

The pros noted: “Luckily, caffeine-high coffee in your soil will not be off-putting to worms. Those wriggle creatures are incredibly useful to your soil’s fertilisation process and are thought to love coffee grounds.

“Coffee in very small quantities is not harmful to worms, and a caffeinated worm will unsurprisingly do its job much faster, plus they will be likely to procreate in the soil.

“A bit like with ourselves, be wary not to over-feed your plant with coffee, no matter how groggy they might be looking. 

“Your plants should only need a coffee boost once a week to see the benefits. Coffee can be naturally acidic, so over-feeding your plant with it could have a negative effect.”

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