People love to have a cup of coffee in the morning, and the fact that you can do it beside a tiny green plant is just icing on the cake.
You will be glad to know that you can find a good place for your residual coffee grounds if you own house plants.
Coffee and plants are two words you have rarely heard being used in a sentence before.
But if you have heard about the benefits of coffee grounds on some houseplants, give this article a read.
House plants that like coffee grounds
Certain houseplants can prosper if you add coffee grounds to the soil in which they are potted.
You can even use coffee while watering your plant. But before you go sprinkling coffee grounds on all your house plants, stop. Not all plants benefit from coffee. And indeed, no plant benefits from coffee in extensive quantities.
Using a limited amount of coffee while watering or introducing the grounds directly to the soil can result in fruitful results for some plants. Such plants are listed below:
1. Cyclamen
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The botanical name for this plant is Cyclamen persicum.
It is a tiny plant that produces small, sweet-scented flowers on long stems that extend above the foliage.
It is a tuberous perennial; it dries down to its thick roots (or tubers) during the dormancy period and rises during the growing season.
It has flowers in the shade of pink, purple, red, and white. It has small heart-shaped leaves with a silver lining. After planting, the blooming occurs roughly after 18 months.
Cyclamen are low-maintenance plants that require partial sun. It remains dormant in the summer, but with proper care, it will blossom in the winters.
However, it needs the soil to be a little on the acidic side. So, adding coffee grounds to the soil makes it healthier and increases flower growth as well.
2. African Violets
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The botanical name for African violets is Saintpaulia spp. These are small plants that produce beautiful royal purple and deep pink flowers.
The bright-colored flowers, along with the soft dark green leaves, can spruce up any place. These can be planted in little pots and placed on your desk to boost your mood during a stressful workday.
These are considered plants a little fussy, but once you get the hang of caring for them, they are pretty easy. Under the right conditions, these plants produce flowers all year long. They can survive in low light and bright light but prefer bright light and bloom better in it.
African violets do not like sitting in wet soil. What they do love is well-draining, a bit acidic, and nitrogen-rich soil.
It makes coffee the perfect fertilizer for these plants. If you pour cold, diluted coffee directly into the soil, it will boost flower growth and improve the overall health of this plant.
But be a little conservative in the amount and strength of coffee you use with it. Another great way to fertilize the soil in which African violet is growing is to mix coffee grounds and broken eggshells with the top layer of the soil every few months.
This combination acts as an excellent natural fertilizer.
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3. Peace lilies
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The scientific name for this plant is Spathiphyllum. Peace lilies are too gorgeous to be this versatile! The peace lily plant has dark green leaves and produces beautiful white flowers.
It is a widespread indoor plant because of its easy-going nature and its beauty. In addition, it provides fresh oxygen, so it is a treat for the eyes and the mind.
Peace lilies need their soil to be a little into the acidic range. So coffee grounds are the perfect fertilizer.
Coffee grounds also contain several nutrients that boost the growth and health of peace lily plants. Coffee grounds also ward the pets away from the plant, so it is a win-win situation.
Apart from all these, the coffee ground, when used as a fertilizer, can also help reverse leaves in peace lilies.
4. Jade
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The scientific name for the Jade plant is Crassula ovata. It is a very common succulent that owes its popularity to its low-maintenance nature.
Being succulent, it retains water in its leaves, so its watering requirements are minimal. It has many tiny leaves and a differently shaped stem making it a very uniquely magnificent plant.
It is an excellent choice if you want to give a plant to someone with a black thumb. In addition to having low water requirements, the jade plant is also overall very carefree.
But if you want to do it a favor, adding coffee grounds to the soil every 6 to 12 months can make your jade plant very happy.
If you do this, there is no need to add extra fertilizer to the plant. The coffee itself provides all the essential nutrients. That is a massive upgrade from chemical-induced fertilizers.
5. Heartleaf Philodendrons
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The scientific name for this is Philodendron bipinnatifidum. These plants are said to be impossible to kill.
They can survive days of neglect and episodes of overwatering and underwatering and not adding pesticides and become happy after just a day of pampering.
The philodendrons have a way of showing whether and when they need attention. If you fulfill their needs, the plant returns to its former glory.
The heartleaf philodendrons are cascading or climbing vines with heart-shaped, glossy, dark green colored leaves.
You need to plant it in well-draining soil. Overwatering results in the yellowing of leaves, and under watering leads to the leaves turning brown.
Adjust your watering schedule according to your plants’ needs and position. This plant thrives in medium to low light.
Adding coffee grounds to the soil in which the heartleaf philodendron is growing increases fertility. It also makes the veins of this plant solid and flexible.
In addition, coffee grounds are rich in organic matter, so it is very beneficial for your philodendron plant.
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6. Golden Pothos
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The scientific name for golden pothos is Epipremnum aureum. These plants have a high resemblance to philodendrons, and you can interchange them.
These two plants belong to different species of the same family Araceae. The other common name of Golden pothos is Devil’s ivy.
You can plant a Devil’s ivy in a pot or a hanging basket.
Planting it in a hanging basket is preferred because it gives it room to expand and fall gracefully on its own. In addition, it gives the room a very different vibe (Plus, it is far from the reach of your pets).
Golden pothos can be grown in any room as long as it receives at least a little natural light.
Adding coffee grounds to the soil provides nutrients and nourishes the plant. Also, it maintains the ideal pH required by Golden pothos.
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7. Christmas Cactus
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The scientific name for Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera bridgessii.
They are named such because of their blooming time. They bloom just in time for holidays and continue to do so for several months.
The pink or lilac flowers are sufficient to add this plant to your list of must-have indoor plants.
Apart from the pretty flowers, it is also low maintenance and lives a long life with little care.
The Christmas cactus is an epiphyte in its natural habitat. So, it requires good drainage, bright light, and acidic soil, which brings us to the brass tacks- coffee.
This plant thrives when you irrigate it with half a cup of coffee twice a week.
But, since this covers the plant’s watering as well, do not water anymore, or else you’ll cause more damage than good.
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8. Norfolk Island Pine
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The scientific name for this plant is Araucaria heterophylla.
It is not technically pine. This plant is native to Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean.
In their native habitats, they grow to be very tall. But as house plants, these plants grow like tiny Christmas trees with fully developed canopy and soft needles.
These plants have a long life and can last for decades if given the proper care.
The Norfolk Island pine thrives in medium to bright indirect sunlight, so it is often used as an indoor plant away from direct light.
It would help if you watered them once a week, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
They also prefer a little humidity around so you can place the pot on a saucer filled with pebbles and water. It can improve the aesthetic value of any bright corner of your house.
This plant requires well-draining acidic soil to grow correctly. It is where coffee plays a role.
A cup of coffee a week is enough to maintain the acidity to keep the Norfolk Island Pine happy.
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9. Miniature roses
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Miniature roses are real roses that stay small in size. They are available in all the same varieties and colors as their larger counterparts and are in no way weaker or more sensitive. You can consider them to be more challenging than the larger rose plants.
These are generally kept as houseplants because the larger rose plants are not petite enough to fit on a desk. These plants, along with their gorgeous tiny flowers, can change the vibes of an office desk beautifully.
The miniature roses like their soil rich in nitrogen and slightly acidic. You can either add coffee grounds as fertilizer to the soil or use prepared and cooled coffee to water the plant instead of regular water now and then. Doing this makes your miniature rose plant bloom better and last longer.
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10. Snake Plant
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The scientific name for the snake plant is Sansevieria trifasciata.
This plant tops the list of most minor maintenance indoor plants.
It has sword-like leaves that are green in color with flashes of yellow.
This plant is excellent as an indoor plant because of its easy-going nature and its ability to clean the air around it.
Keeping it beside your bed ensures you get a sound and peaceful sleep.
The snake plant thrives in partial sunlight. It can survive indirect bright light, but the leaves will wilt if kept in the dark for too long.
The snake plant does not care for overwatering. Only water the soil when it is arid. This plant thrives in well-draining soil, which is a little acidic.
Mix two parts of coffee with three parts water and sprinkle a little of the solution on the soil once every three weeks to make the snake plant happy and healthy.
11. Azalea
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Azaleas produce some of the most stunning flowers in the plant world. The colors of the plant can be purple, white, pink, yellow, red, or orange.
The colorful plant is a must-have if you are a fan of bright and radiant. If you want your Azalea to keep producing those beautiful flowers, you need to take proper care of it.
Most varieties of Azalea need nearly full shade to grow properly. Some, however, need bright light. They prosper in moist soil that has good drainage.
But, unfortunately, they also like their soil to be a little acidic. So, adding some coffee grounds will maintain the pH to make your Azalea bloom fully.
12. Spider plant
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The scientific name for the spider plant is Chlorophytum comosum. This plant has long pointed green leaves with yellow or white variegations.
Its leaves spread from the center resembling the fangs of a spider (But not in a creepy way!). It is a very low-maintenance indoor plant that provides you with fresh air and lives a long life with little care.
The spider plant is ideal for a newbie plant enthusiast as it can tolerate a lot of neglect. If you want the confidence of a green thumb after buying your first plant, make the plant the Spider plant. You will not regret your decision.
This plant likes bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining and mildly acidic soil. Mix one part coffee and three parts water and sprinkle this solution in the soil every once to promote healthy growth.
This plant purifies the air around you and is an excellent plant for your bedroom or office.
Do Indoor Plants Like Coffee Grounds?
Yes, indoor plants like coffee grounds but not all of them.
It is a widespread mistake to assume that they might be helpful to all the indoor plants. Coffee grounds reduce the pH of the soil to make the soil a little more acidic. They are also rich in nitrogen and some other minerals. Some plants thrive in a more acidic environment. For those plants, coffee grounds are a blessing.
Coffee grounds are a common waste in our houses, and you can use them as compost or mulch, pesticide, or fertilizer.
In place of coffee grounds, you can also use brewed coffee. However, it would help if you used it conservatively.
Excessive usage can cause too much moisture retention, and fungal overgrowth and might even impair plant growth. But, if used in the correct quantity, they can prove fruitful for the plants.
How Often Should You be Using Coffee Grounds in Your Houseplant?
You might have realized by now that coffee is rich in several micronutrients that might be helpful for your plant.
Plus, it is an organic fertilizer that you would have wasted anyway. So it might be tempting to believe that the more coffee you give to your plant, the more it will prosper. (But unlike you, the plant does not run on coffee!)
Unlike you, your plants do not need coffee every day.
So if you are planning to give your plants the coffee treatment, make it occasional. If you use coffee grounds as a pesticide, use only when the pests start to show up.
If you are using it as a fertilizer, follow the prescribed fertilizer treatment schedule. Generally, the ideal way is to sprinkle a few coffee grounds on the soil once every six weeks.
But it can change depending on the time of year and the plant’s growth cycle. If you use prepared coffee to water the plants, use it once every two to three weeks and in limited amounts and sufficient dilution.
Tips for using coffee grounds on these plants
If you plan on going down the unconventional road, you need to do it right. Here are some tips that can increase the efficacy of caffeine usage for your plants:
Mix the coffee grounds with the mulch:
- The mulch is a layer of materials like wood chippings placed on top of the soil to provide nutrition and insulation. Although coffee can directly be used in the soil, mixing it with the mulch ensures an even distribution of the nutrients.
- Do not use coffee grounds in the soil if you have hyperactive pets who like to play with the plant. Pets often put their paws in the soil and might eat the coffee playfully. Eating coffee grounds is highly harmful to pets, and too much ingestion might even prove fatal for them. If you have pets, steer clear of the coffee in the plants.
- Use the coffee grounds sparingly. It is an essential tip, and you must not take it lightly. It is especially important when the plant we are dealing with is small or potted. Just a tablespoon of coffee or just enough to cover the soil with a thin layer of coffee is more than sufficient to fertilize your plant.
- Water after introducing coffee to the soil. By doing so, you allow the coffee, mulch, and the soil to be appropriately blended, and nutrients can be better absorbed.
- Do not use coffee grounds for seedlings. Coffee is very rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. The concentration of these nutrients is very high for a seedling to digest. You can use this treatment after they have matured or after you have repotted them.
- Use coffee grounds in the ratio of 1:3. To dilute the strong effect of coffee, mix one part of coffee with three parts of mulch. (Plants do not like it as strongly as we do!) Mixing the coffee grounds with mulch increases the dilution and prevents the adverse effect that it could cause if the coffee is used directly in the soil.
- Always use a coffee filter that is not bleached. The bleach is very harmful to your plants (and to be a little blunt, yourself).
Conclusion
Here you were, thinking that coffee is yours and yours alone personal pick-me-up.
It is equally effective in boosting the mood of some of your favorite plants. (Could coffee be any more awesome?) The plants listed above are the ones that are a little tough to handle their coffee.
Please do not make the mistake of adding coffee to all the plants because it helped some of them. Adding coffee is excellent as long as you know when to stop. The acidic nature of coffee might cause harm to your plants instead of helping them if not used in a controlled fashion.
Coffee is rich in several nutrients that can help some of your plants prosper. So now coffee is your plant’s favorite too!