Coffee grounds contain a large amount of nitrogen, which means good for plant growth. However, coffee grounds are too acidic and not all plants love an acidic environment.
This acidic nature makes coffee grounds useful to some plants and nonbeneficial to other plants.
Plants like coffee grounds include roses, azaleas, radishes, blueberries, cabbage, carrots, hollies, rhododendrons, and lilies. All these plants mentioned are acid-loving plants and thus, grow best in acidic soil. For a detailed step-by-step guide, follow along with this handy guide.
Information about coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are popular compost materials that work absolutely well when properly used. Coffee grounds have sufficient nitrogen which is an important plant nutrient. They also contain caffeine and are acidic.
One thing to consider when making use of coffee grounds is the fact that it contains coffee which is acidic. The addition of coffee grounds to your soil can make an alteration of the pH which is beneficial for some plants and detrimental for others.
The caffeine present can prevent some plants from growing and allowing the caffeinated plant to make use of all the water and nutrients present in the soil thus, impeding the growth of the plants.
Coffee grounds provide nitrogen which plants need for their growth. They also help to retain water in the soil and so less watering of the soil is needed. This can also help in diminishing were growth. Coffee grounds are popular with worms and as such, vermicomposting can be a large addition.
Related: How To Use Coffee Grounds In The Vegetables Garden Step By Step
Plants that love coffee grounds
Plants like coffee grounds include roses, azaleas, radishes, blueberries, cabbage, carrots, hollies, rhododendrons, and lilies. All these plants mentioned are acid-loving plants and thus, grow best in acidic soil.
The addition of coffee grounds to fertilizer helps the soil hold and retain water better which has positive effects on some plants. Some of the moisture-loving plants which work well with coffee grounds include Hibiscus, iris, calla, marigold, sedge, bugbane, calla e.t.c.
The best way to make use of the coffee grounds is by adding them to your compost pile after which you mix a little bit of that compost with your potting soil. Diluting coffee grounds works similarly to diluting fertilizer.
This can be carried out by using just a teaspoon of coffee grounds per gallon of water and a continuous stir of the mixture with a spoon until totally diluted. This proceed should be carried out for a couple of nights after which the mixture should be run through water by making use of a strainer or cheesecloth.
Asides from being used as a fertilizer, coffee grounds can also be used in mulch. They also attract earthworms which are beneficial to the soil health as they help mix organic matter into the soil better, consequently having an improvement on the soil health and water infiltration.
Related: How To Use And Avoid Too Much Coffee Grounds In Compost
Conclusion
In conclusion, coffee grounds can help your plants to grow well particularly the plants that love them and do not have to get affected adversely/detrimentally by their presence in the soil. Using coffee grounds has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Coffee grounds can impede plant growth but it can also help in altering the pH of the soil in a beneficial way and likewise, keeping away certain pests. The plants mentioned in this article like coffee grounds and so, are beneficial to them. However, avoid using them on tomatoes and clovers but if you have some doubts, make use of the compost bin as it is always a good place for spent coffee grounds.
