Are coffee grounds good for gardenias? Whether the coffee ground is good or bad for plants is controversial. Many gardeners believe that caffeine in coffee is toxic to trees. In contrast, some think coffee grounds contain numerous essential components that help grow plants. Contrary reasoning like this is enigmatic. So, which one is accurate?
As a matter of fact, it depends on the type of plants. Indeed, all plants are not fond of coffee grounds, but some plants surely do. The coffee ground has been seen to be beneficial for acid-loving plants.
Before answering the question in the title, we need to understand what type of plan the gardenia is and what it prefers.
Read the entire post to learn – are coffee grounds good for gardenias? Let’s go through the article.
Are Coffee Grounds Useful for Gardenias?
You must have heard numerous faulty reasonings about coffee ground and its usage on gardenias from people around you. However, most of these opinions are wrong. Used coffee ground is one of the effective homemade fertilizers for gardenias and other similar plants.
If you are uncomfortable using coffee for gardenias, let’s go through its benefits. Coffee ground is an instant source of nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium, which are compatible with most plants.
Unlike other plants, Gardenias prefer acidic substances in their surroundings. That’s why the plant also likes tea bags, wood ash, and Epsom salts. We know that coffee is a highly acidic ingredient. So, coffee grounds help gardenias lower the pH of their bordering soil.
It also energizes the root of gardenias and other acid-loving plants. In short, coffee ground contains many organic and congenial substances useful for Gardenias.
Are Gardenias Fond of Acid?
Acidic soil, which has a pH level lower than 7, is the best ground for growing Gardenias. In general, pH 5.0 to pH 6.5 is this plant’s ideal acidic soil level. In most cases, gardenias’ growth depends on how acidic the soil is.
When you routinely apply used coffee ground in the bed of gardenias, the pH level remains neutral or less than 7. That’s why it is often said that gardenias like acid.
The coffee ground also improves the soil structure, which assists gardenias in getting healthier. Remember that using coffee grounds is not the only secret behind the plant’s better growth. Gardenias need good drainage and full sun too. Besides, you must ensure that your gardenia can stretch its root independently.
How do coffee grounds benefit gardenia plants?
The coffee ground can be advantageous to gardenias in several ways. Here is some point on how coffee grounds can benefit the plant:
- The acidic characteristic of coffee grounds keeps gardenia plants safe from unwanted fungal attacks and insects.
- Coffee ground is ideal for making fertilizer for acid-loving plants because of its low nitrogen content.
- The higher presence of potassium in coffee grounds assists in maintaining soil moisture. It supports gardenia’s root growth.
- Coffee ground is also a good food source for earthworms. They increase soil fertility to accelerate gardenia’s growth.
- The essential properties in coffee grounds ensure the overall wellness of gardenia.
Can I use coffee grounds as fertilizer?
Yes, you can! Coffee grounds have been used as fertilizer for years. But, it is suitable for acid-loving plants only, such as gardenia. So, make sure you are applying coffee grounds to the right plants.
According to a Wood’s End Research Laboratory study, coffee grounds keep the soil’s pH level neutral.
Without a doubt, you can use coffee grounds as fertilizer, and it is beneficial for plants. However, you must be careful when applying it directly to any plants. Since coffee is highly acidic, applying too much coffee straight can harm acid-loving plants.
If you are a beginner and confused about the exact quantity of coffee ground, you should not apply it to your gardenia directly. Instead, you can mix it with compost before using it.
How to Use Coffee Grounds for Fertilizing Gardenias?
Coffee ground is not a replacement for regular fertilizer. Instead, it can accelerate the action of fertilizers and help gardenias grow better. Here is how to use coffee grounds to fertilize gardenias:
Sprinkle coffee ground directly on the soil
Applying coffee ground directly to the soil is a widespread fertilizing process. Take some ground with a spoon and sprinkle it on the soil around the gardenia plant’s roots. Using coffee grounds like this help the plant retain moisture. It also accelerates the decomposing process.
Applying with compost
Another way to use coffee grounds for gardenia is to mix them with compost. In such a case, mix the same amount of coffee ground, grass, and other organic materials to make a compost pile. When it becomes prepared, you can use it like regular compost.
Turn coffee ground into liquid fertilizer
You can also use coffee grounds as a liquid fertilizer for gardenias. The ideal coffee and water ratio to make the liquid is 2:5. For instance, mix 2 cups of coffee ground with 5 gallons of water. After they get mixed well, you can spray the liquid directly on gardenia plants.
How Often Should You Apply Coffee Grounds to Gardenias?
In general, you can apply coffee grounds to gardenia once a week. In contrast, many prefer fertilizing their gardenia plants every 2 or 4 weeks. The schedule depends on a plant’s condition and the weather. So, you need to conduct some research before making a schedule to put coffee grounds on gardenias.
Final words
So, are coffee grounds good for gardenias? In short, yes, it does. Gardenia is an acid-loving plant that prefers acidic substances like coffee. Coffee ground helps maintain the standard pH level in the soil around gardenias. It also provides essential nutrients to grow the plant and keep it healthy. That’s why the coffee ground is widely used as a cheap and common material to fertilize acid-loving plants like gardenia.
However, you need to be careful about the correct amount of coffee during usage. Otherwise, over-usage and the acidic nature of coffee can harm the plant. If you are a new gardener, you can discuss it with an experienced one for a better outcome.
