How To Use Tea Leaves And Coffee Grounds In Houseplants

Plant lovers always find a way to nurture their plants, and trust me; I am one of them. When I was young, I did not know about fertilizers, and I used to fertilize my indoor plants with tea leaves and coffee grounds; want to know how? Let me guide you through it.

How to Use Tea Leaves and Coffee Grounds in Houseplants? If you are going to use tea to improve your plant’s growth make sure you remove the leaves from the bags if they are if they’re made out of paper. Then you can mix the tea leaves and coffee grounds together and use them as a mulch.

It is an economical and organic option if you do not trust fertilizing companies. And, this is not the only way you can use these two holy grails. Let’s jump into it, and let me tell you the reasons why you should also use coffee and tea leaves as fertilizers.

Why Should You Use Tea Leaves and Coffee Grounds in Houseplants?

You can easily find coffee grounds and tea leaves in the kitchen of most people; at least, I am a caffeine fan. They have plenty of nitrogen which helps in plant growth and makes it healthy. But, do you know how many nutrients do the coffee grounds and tea leaves contain? So, throwing away these waste items does no good to you, right?

Why should you use tea leaves and coffee grounds in houseplants? Because they are one of the most economical fertilizers and a step towards sustainability. Coffee grounds and tea leaves are filled with all the good things that your plant needs for growth, and who does not want their little sapling to grow?

Coffee grounds and tea leaves are widely used in gardens to increase fertility, and you can use them in houseplants as well, but if you use them directly to your plants, they will cause fungus and will disrupt the growth of your plant, so it is crucial to make their compost first. I am stating some of the best ways below to easily use coffee grounds and tea leaves for your house plants.

Ways To Use Tea Leaves and Coffee Grounds in Houseplants

Isn’t this a cherry on top? Using coffee and tea waste as a fertilizer is a way to save some extra bucks while saving your environment. But, you need to figure out the right ways to do so, which is why I am here to rescue you.

Adding Coffee Grounds or Tea Leaves in Potting Mix

It might be the simplest way to elevate the growth of your plant or increase the fertility of the soil. You can add the coffee grounds or used tea leaves directly to your potting mix in this method. Ensure that the coffee grounds and tea leaves are of black tea and coffee because your plant might not be a sweet tooth.

While repotting, add the grounds or leaves in your potting mix, and it will slowly and gradually fertilize the soil and work as a regular growth booster for six months. But, there are specific threats that this method carries, but if you follow the provided method and stay cautious with the amount of coffee or tea, you will get the desired results.

Adding Brewed Coffee Grounds or Tea Leaves

Plain coffee grounds or tea leaves work just fine, but brewed coffee and tea do wonders to your plants. They help in improving the growth of your roots and improve the oxygenation of your indoor plants.

• Take cold water
• Add coffee or tea leaves to it.
• Make sure you are taking both coffee and water in equal parts
• Mix them properly
• Water your plants with the brewed mixture

If you see that the leaves of your plant are turning yellow, discontinue the usage of this mix and be back to using water because the Ph of coffee and tea is acidic, and it might affect the chemistry of your plant as well. Go for the plants that thrive in an acidic environment like roses and aloe vera.

Making Liquid Fertilizer with Coffee Grounds or Tea Leaves

If you want a more concentrated and effective liquid fertilizer for your houseplants, then this recipe is going to be your holy grail.

• Take a full water container or bottle
• Add your coffee grounds or tea leaves to it
• Leave the solution to sit for 1-2 weeks
• Stir the solution every other day to make the most out of it
• Strain your liquid and put the coffee grounds aside
• Use cheesecloth for proper straining
• Water your plants with this concentrated solution

When you let your coffee or tea sit in the water, it releases delicious nutrients into the water and attracts healthy bacteria. These bacteria are beneficial for your plant’s growth, so when you water the plant, you are providing it with all the necessary nutrition it needs to grow.

Making Compost

Turning your coffee and tea leaves into a sustainable fertilizer is never a bad idea, and composting is right here to make this easy for you. All you need to do is put the used coffee and tea in your compost pile and let it rest.

By doing so, you will be providing decayed organic material as a source of nutrition to your plant, which is precisely what happens in forests.

The coffee and tea compost will also work as pathogen repellent and provide all the nutrition your plant needs to maintain swift growth. Also, you are not supposed to overuse the compost because it will harm your plant’s growth. Use a maximum of one inch of compost in your soil to maintain a healthy balance.

Also, do not overwater your plants because all the organic materials of your compost tend to retain water by natural means, so if you water them generously, your plants will not get enough oxygen, and leaves will begin to wilt.

Conclusion

Lastly, all these methods pose some problems like fungal growth or excessive moisture, so you need to be cautious while using coffee and tea waste as a fertilizer. Pick any of the above ways according to your convenience and give a boost to your plant’s growth. I hope this article was helpful for you and that your plant will have a happy caffeine day after this.