Three plant varieties suggested by horticulture specialists as ideal for soil enriched with coffee waste:
Coffee lovers, rejoice! Your morning brew could be doing more than just waking you up - it could be giving your garden a much-needed boost. Adding coffee grounds to the soil can turn hydrangeas from pink to blue and provide numerous benefits to a variety of plants.
Several plants, including pothos, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and camellias, thrive on the nutrient-rich coffee grounds. The primary reason for this is the slow-release nitrogen found in coffee grounds, which is essential for vegetative growth and lush foliage development.
Pothos, for instance, thrives on the nitrogen from coffee grounds, promoting lush, trailing foliage. Hydrangeas, known for their bold blooms, prefer acidic soil conditions, which coffee grounds can help create. Other leafy green plants and those that prefer consistently moist but not waterlogged soil can also benefit due to the improved aeration and moisture retention coffee grounds offer.
The benefits of coffee grounds extend beyond just nitrogen. They contain trace minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, which support root development, flower production, and disease resistance. The gritty texture of coffee grounds helps loosen compacted soil, enhancing aeration and allowing roots to breathe, preventing root rot and promoting stronger growth.
Moreover, coffee grounds help the soil retain moisture consistently without becoming soggy, ideal for moisture-loving plants. They also feed beneficial microbes that improve soil health and nutrient availability.
When it comes to using coffee grounds in your garden, moderation is key. Using coffee grounds in small amounts can help avoid compacting soil or creating overly acidic conditions. They can be mixed into potting soil or compost or used as mulch to improve soil quality and nutrient content.
However, it's important to note that coffee grounds should not be used as a replacement for fertilizer for optimal hydrangea growth. Instead, an organic soil fertiliser, like the envii SeaFeed Xtra, can be used alongside leftover coffee for hydrangeas.
Rhododendrons and camellias, like hydrangeas, are another acid-loving plants that will flourish with the addition of coffee grounds to their soil. These plants will benefit from the additional nitrogen, helping them generate larger blooms.
In summary, adding coffee grounds to the soil of acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and camellias can provide numerous benefits, including improved soil structure, nutrient content, and moisture regulation. So, before you throw away your used coffee grounds, consider giving your garden a little boost!
[1] Gardening Know How. (2021). Coffee Grounds for Plants: Benefits and Uses. [online] Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/coffee-grounds-for-plants.htm
[2] The Spruce. (2021). How to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/coffee-grounds-for-plants-1807968
[3] The Old Farmer's Almanac. (2021). Coffee Grounds for Plants. [online] Available at: https://www.almanac.com/content/coffee-grounds-plants
[4] The Washington Post. (2019). What's the best way to use coffee grounds in your garden? [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/whats-the-best-way-to-use-coffee-grounds-in-your-garden/2019/05/29/1e646750-773c-11e9-935c-6f4e50a687f6_story.html
[5] BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. (2019). 10 ways to use coffee grounds in the garden. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/gardenersworld/howto/article/10-ways-to-use-coffee-grounds-in-the-garden
The nutrient-rich coffee grounds can enhance the growth of various plants, like pothos, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, and camellias, which thrive on the slow-release nitrogen present in coffee grounds for lush foliage development. Gardeners can utilize coffee grounds in their home-and-garden lifestyle, not just as a part of their interior design, but also in their gardens, as they improve soil structure, nutrient content, and moisture regulation.
