🪴HOW TO & TIPS
“Can I use coffee grounds as fertiliser for my houseplants?”
If I had a pound for every time I’ve been asked this question, I’d have enough to buy my local cafe, seriously.
So, in honour of National Coffee Day today, let’s settle it once and for all.
The Appeal of Coffee Grounds ☕
It makes sense, doesn’t it? Reusing scraps feels clever, sustainable, even a little rebellious. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen. Eggshells are packed with calcium. Banana peels are Potassium galore. Sprinkle them on your soil and voilà, free fertiliser.
I’ll admit, I used to do this too. It felt like giving my plants a homemade superfood smoothie.
The Problem with Kitchen Substitutes
Here’s the issue: plants don’t want “loads” of one nutrient. They want balance.
Too much nitrogen from coffee can throw soil chemistry off. Eggshells don’t magically dissolve into calcium overnight. Banana peels rot inconsistently.
Over time, your soil can become a lopsided mess. Too much of one thing, not enough of another.
That’s why fertiliser made specifically for houseplants exists. It’s like soap: yes, you can wash your dishes with hand soap, but dish soap is designed for grease and grime. Same principle here.
What I ACTUALLY Do…
These days, I keep it simple:
- Houseplant Focus fertiliser is my go-to for everything. Balanced, predictable, reliable.
- Food scraps like coffee grounds and eggshells go in the compost bin, where they can break down properly and enrich soil in the long run.
That said, if you’re curious, feel free to try. Just test it on one plant first and don’t expect miracle results.
Bonus Coffee Hack
Even if your plants don’t get the grounds, they can still benefit from coffee gear.
Try lining the bottom of a pot with a used coffee filter before adding soil. It keeps soil from leaking out while still allowing water to drain freely. Healthier roots, tidier shelves. Everyone wins.
So enjoy your coffee today and your plants will toast you with a new leaf when you give them what they really need: balanced fertiliser.