Some plants like it!
But both the eggshells and coffee grounds can be deadly for some other plants too. So, it’s no wonder many people are asking what plants like coffee grounds and eggshells, right?
Working as organic composts, both of them provides valuable nutrients to certain plants. But you need to be sure exactly what plants.
In this article, I will talk about those plants including which plants hate them as well.
List of Plants That Like Coffee Grounds
Being abundantly available in every household, it does not make sense to waste them.
If you add coffee grounds to the fertilizer, the soil will be able to hold water better with a slightly increased acidic level.
For some plants, it’s very beneficial. You have to go slowly to see how well the plants are taking it. Then you can gradually increase the amount.
You can add coffee grounds for the below-mentioned plants:
- Marigold
- Camellias
- Azaleas
- Hibiscus
- Chinese mustard
- Iris
- Italian Ryegrass
- Crinum
- Meadowsweet
- Blueberries
- Geranium
- Bugbane
- Calla
- Elephant Ear
- Lily of the valley (Convallaria Majalis)
- Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Pedatum)
- Forget-Me-Not
- Sedge
Apart from those acid-loving plants, there are some acid-loving shrubs as well where you can apply the coffee grounds.
3 most common acidic soil-loving shrubs are azalea (Rhododendron Arborescens), camellia (Camellia Japonica), and Highbush blueberry ‘Duke’.
If you notice closely and do a little study about those plants, you will see that these plants are moisture-loving. So, whatever plants are moisture-loving also love the coffee grounds.
Benefits of Coffee Grounds: Behind The Scene Reason
So, why they like coffee grounds? Well, to answer this question, you need to consider your overall climate.
Coffee grounds are slightly acidic. And most plants like slightly acidic soil. If your area is prone to heavy rainfall, most of the plants will like acidic soil as well.
Which Plants Like Eggshells?
A common disease for most plants is blossom end rot and it happens due to insufficient calcium in the soil.
Eggshells are proven to increase the calcium in the soil and solve the problem. Here is a list of plants that like eggshells due to the added calcium:
- Eggplants
- Marigolds
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Indoor Spinach
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Swiss Chard
- Amaranth
- Strawberries
- Other potted plants.
Most of the above plants attract slugs and slugs can damage them. Preventing those slugs is easy with eggshells.
Apart from the above list, if any of your plants or bushes in the lawn or garden are prone to slug attack, you can use the eggshells to protect them.
Benefits of Eggshells: Behind The Scene Reason
Apart from providing valuable nutrients like calcium, such plants love the eggshells just for the natural protection from slugs as well.
Eggshell-loving plants are normally prone to damage by the snails and slugs. Crushed eggshells work like a deadly barrier to such pests because their soft bodies can be eviscerated by the jagged edges.
Calcium is an important and crucial regulator of the growth and development of plant life. Being enriched with calcium gives an extra boost to plants not yet grown and other thirsty plants.
List of Plants That DO NOT Like Coffee Grounds
Sadly, lots of popular indoor plants don’t like coffee grounds at all. So, in case you are wondering which plants do not like coffee grounds, here is a list of them:
- Tomatoes Plant
- Rosemary Plant
- Yucca Plant
- Spider plant
- Black-eyed Susan
- Century plant
- Lavender
- Snake plant
- Madagascar periwinkle
- Orchid Plant
- Pothos
- Sago palm
- Succulents and cactus
The reason why such indoor houseplants don’t like the coffee grounds is that the moist coffee grounds may lead to fungus growth which they won’t like at all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you put too many coffee grounds in your garden?
Answer: No. Too much of anything is bad for your garden. To make a good acidic mulch without spending anything, coffee grounds are best. You should use it in limited amounts only.
Can you put coffee grounds in potted plants?
Answer: Yes, but only if they acidic-soil and moisture-loving potted plants. You can either directly add the coffee grounds to the soil or mix them by composting.
How often should I put coffee grounds on my plants?
Answer: 1 cup of coffee grounds per week is enough. Don’t add too much at once.
Are coffee grounds and eggshells good for tomato plants?
Answer: Yes. In addition to repelling snails and slugs, coffee grounds increase the nitrogen and acidity to the soil which is helpful for the tomato plant.
Also, eggshells add calcium which can regulate the moisture intake and prevent the blossom end rot.
What can I do with old coffee grounds?
Answer: Coffee grounds can serve the following purposes:
- Fertilizing the soil.
- Repelling insects and pests.
- Can be used as a natural cleaning scrub.
- Remove fleas from your pets.
- Neutralize odors.
- Even exfoliating your skin!
Conclusion
I believe you are no longer wondering what plants like coffee grounds and eggshells. If you apply them to the above-mentioned plants, they will grow healthy.
Use the list and let your plants thrive! If you know about other plants not mentioned here, let me know in the comment box.
Reference:
- Chalker-Scott, Linda: Using coffee grounds in gardens and landscapes
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