What plants don’t like coffee grounds?
It’s true: Coffee is so great that even plants like it. Well … not all plants.
Coffee grounds for gardening?
If you’ve ever seen bags of used coffee grounds in a Starbucks tub labeled, “Grounds for your garden” and thought, “WTF?” … It’s true!
There are several benefits to using coffee grounds in your garden. Grounds are rich in nitrogen, which improve soil structure and provides some nutrients. They might even help with pest control.
But before you start carting home bags of used coffee grounds …
What plants don’t like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds aren’t a universal solution. Some plants really don’t like them, including:
- Alfalfa
- Asparagus
- Bell peppers
- Hydrangeas
- Lilac
- Lilies
- Mediterranean herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme.
- Potatoes
- Roses
What indoor plants don’t like coffee grounds?
Some indoor plants are sensitive to coffee grounds too. Here are some popular houseplants that do not want your used coffee trash:
- Spider Plant
- Pothos
- Succulents
- Aloe Vera
- Peace Lily
- Orchids
- Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Cacti
- Bamboo Palm
What plants like coffee grounds?
Plants that do like a shot of coffee (grounds) include those that thrive in more acidic soil:
- Blueberries: Thrive in acidic soil.
- Carrots: Benefit from improved soil structure.
- Radishes: Enjoy the added nutrients.
- Roses: Enhanced growth and bloom.
- Azaleas: Prefer acidic conditions.
- Hydrangeas: Can change color depending on soil pH, so that’s fun.
- Rhubarb: Enjoys nitrogen-rich soil.
How to use coffee grounds in the garden
Don’t just go sprinkling used coffee grounds around your plants.
- Composting: The best way to use coffee grounds is to add them to the compost pile first. At about 1 part per 10 of other composting materials, the grounds will add some good nutrients.
- Soil Amendment: Mix coffee grounds into the dirt before you plant, to improve drainage and add nutrients.
- Mulch sub-layer: The key here is to create just a thin sheet of coffee grounds underneath your regular mulching material.
- Pest Control: Sprinkle coffee grounds around plants to deter pests like slugs and snails.
