'My houseplants have grown so fast since I started feeding them a kitchen leftover'
Plants may need to be watered more regularly in summer
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The popularity of sustainable gardening trends is nothing new, but some ingredients are more compatible with plants than others.
Reusing coffee grounds as a fertiliser has emerged as a sustainable way to help plants thrive without breaking the bank.
Green-thumbed enthusiasts have flooded social media with tips on how best to use the ingredient without causing harm to their foliage.
Recently, Violet Witchel, claimed that coffee grounds have been instrumental in helping her houseplants thrive.
The Monstera plant needs a lot of light to produce perforations GETTY
“I’m an exceptional plant mother, my plants thrive absolutely and I’ve raised more of them from babies,” she told viewers.
“This is the trick I’ve been doing lately that’s been making them grow like crazy.
“I take my used Nespresso pods, cut out the cover, and rinse the content of the pod out.
“You should get a coffee slurry, I water my plants with the slurry once a week and it provides so much nitrogen for them, it makes them grow so fast.”
Coffee grounds have a pH level between 6.5 and 6.8 and therefore can improve the acidity of potting soil.
However, gardeners are often cautioned against overusing coffee as most plants prefer a balanced environment.
Most houseplants prefer a balanced environment, making used coffee grounds a safer choice than fresh ones for this homemade fertiliser.
Head of Gardens at Home and Gardens, Rachel Bull, explained: "Coffee grounds are an effective houseplant fertiliser owing to their high nitrogen content.
"Coffee grounds contain potassium, magnesium, calcium and other trace minerals too, which are all vital nutrients that plants need to grow.
"This fertiliser is slow release, which can lead to consistent growth and means you won't have to feed your plants all too often to see good results."
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Acid-loving plants benefit the most from coffee-based fertilisers
GETTYIt should be noted that not only houseplants benefit from the nutritional properties of ground coffee. The ingredient can be used outdoors too.
It performs best on acid-loving plants or those that like a balanced pH, according to experts at Garden Therapy.
This includes blueberries, Azaleas, and Heathers.
"Coffee provides low levels of nutrients and can either be used in small quantities around plants or composted before adding to the garden," note experts at the Royal Horticultural Society.
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