Are Coffee Grounds Safe For Plants?

Ask The Plant Expert:

I’ve just read about coffee grounds being beneficial for spiderplants. Would this work for all plants? -Matthew

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

The answer would be not necessarily. I personally have never used coffee grounds around my plants, so I can’t speak from experience.

Coffee Grounds and Plants:

• Coffee grounds are acidic. So they are used around plants that are acid loving. Azaleas, hydrangea, gardenias, hibiscus, roses, camellias and blueberries are types of acid-loving plants.
• Coffee grounds are said to be high in nitrogen (I have no scientific evidence of this). Potentially They can help with leafy growth.
• Coffee grounds are good for earth worm beds and compost piles. However, be cautious of the amount of coffee grounds you use in these beds since they are acidic.
• Coffee grounds are used as an organic repellant for snails, slugs and cats. (I have no first-hand knowledge if this works. I understand it works best if mixed with crush egg shells.)

If you want to use coffee grounds around your plant, find out first if they are acid-lovers. Then apply only a small amount and see what reaction your plant has to the coffee grounds.

I would be very careful using coffee ground with your spider plant. Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant) prefers a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.  Keep in mind 7.0 is neutral.

Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.