Coffee grounds are packed with nutrients, but that doesnt mean you should rush to put them on your orchids
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Making your own fertilizer can involve using up household waste and getting creative – whats not to love? Its important to think carefully about what youre feeding your plants, however, so that they can reap the benefits and avoid adverse effects.
If you care for orchids in your home, youll know that they can be tricky to keep happy. You might expect that because coffee grounds are good for plants, using them to fertilize your orchids is also a good idea. However, be cautious with this plant food solution.
Dont panic if youve already put coffee grounds on your orchids because it does offer some benefits. Find out below what plant experts told us when we asked if orchids like coffee grounds. ( credit: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty s)
Orchids are treasured for their beautiful delicate blooms and exotic foliages. But caring for these tropical beauties can sometimes seem mystifying especially when it comes to proper watering and feeding. This has led to numerous home remedies and “hacks” claiming to help orchids thrive. One of these is using leftover coffee or coffee grounds as fertilizer. But is coffee really beneficial for orchids, or just another gardening myth? Let’s examine the facts.
Why Coffee Might Seem Like a Good Orchid Fertilizer
The notion of using coffee waste as plant food for orchids didn’t come out of nowhere Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients that plants need When added to compost piles, coffee grounds break down and release these nutrients in a form accessible to plants.
So some gardeners thought, why not skip the composting and put used coffee grounds directly into potting mixes? Or reuse leftover coffee water for watering orchids? The logic seems reasonable – the nutrients and caffeine from the coffee would give the orchids an energizing boost.
Unfortunately, it’s not so straightforward for epiphytic orchids, which make up most popular varieties like Phalaenopses, Oncidiums, Dendrobiums, Cattleyas, and more. Here’s a closer look at why coffee grounds and brewed coffee don’t work well as fertilizers for orchids.
Why Coffee Grounds Don’t Work for Most Orchids
Coffee grounds require nitrifying bacteria to break down and release their nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients in a form plants can absorb. But these bacteria are not present in the coarse, quick-draining bark mixes used for potting epiphytic orchids.
Therefore, sprinkling coffee grounds onto an orchid’s potting mix does nothing for the plant. The grounds simply sit inert on the surface. At best, the grounds take up space in the pot without providing any benefits. At worst, they can retain moisture and lead to deadly root rot over time.
The one exception is using coffee grounds on terrestrial orchids potted in soil. The bacteria already in the soil enable the grounds to decompose and effectively fertilize the orchid’s roots. But for epiphytes, coffee grounds are generally not a helpful fertilizer choice.
What About Using Leftover Coffee Water on Orchids?
Reusing leftover coffee brew to water or fertilize orchids might seem like a smart way to reduce waste. But again, the chemistry isn’t beneficial for orchids.
Brewed coffee contains no nutrients because the grounds are filtered out. The only compound left in leftover coffee water is caffeine.
Unfortunately, caffeine provides zero benefits for plants and can even harm them in excess. Small amounts of leftover coffee brew probably won’t injure an orchid. But why take the risk for no gain? Plain coffee water has no fertilizer value for orchids.
Better Organic Fertilizer Alternatives for Orchids
While coffee may not be ideal, there are other homemade organic fertilizers you can use for orchids:
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Banana Water – Let banana peels soak in water for a few days, then use the nutrient-rich water to feed orchids weekly. Provides potassium.
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Epsom Salts – Dissolve 1 tsp per gallon of water and use this magnesium-rich “tea” monthly.
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Fish Emulsion – Dilute per package instructions and feed orchids monthly. Provides nitrogen.
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Compost Tea – Steep compost in water for 3+ days, strain, and use the nitrogen-rich tea as fertilizer.
These organic options provide nutrients orchids can actually utilize, unlike coffee. And they allow you to reuse food waste you’d probably compost anyway!
Best Practices for Watering Orchids
When it comes to watering orchids, plain water, rainwater, or melted snow are best. Never use softened water, which contains sodium harmful to orchids.
Water early in the morning to give the foliage time to dry completely before nightfall. This prevents fungal and bacterial diseases.
How often to water depends on the orchid type, potting mix, humidity, airflow, and growing conditions. Orchids prefer fast-draining media and dislike soggy roots.
A good general guideline is to water just as the potting mix starts to dry out. Roots should remain green, not shriveled or brown. Always pour out excess water from cache pots and saucers.
The Bottom Line: Coffee and Orchids Don’t Mix
While recycling coffee waste into plant food seems eco-friendly, the reality is that coffee grounds and leftover brew don’t make suitable fertilizers for orchids.
At best, used coffee does nothing beneficial for orchids. At worst, it can cause potting mix breakdown and root rot over time. For thriving, flowering orchids, use balanced fertilizers formulated specifically for these unique tropical epiphytes.
Rather than dumping coffee on your orchids, put the grounds to work enriching your compost or garden soil. Help reduce waste without harming your prized orchid collection!
Do orchids like coffee grounds? (Image credit: Getty Images/Maryviolet)
There are many reasons why you might want to use coffee grounds on plants. For the most part, it offers plenty of nutrients and can boost growth.
Its a good source of nitrogen, potassium and other nutrients that can promote healthy growth and flowering, says Jana McDaniel, garden expert and founder of First Saturday Lime. The grounds also help to acidify the potting mix slightly, which many orchids prefer, she adds.
Youll often notice NPK plant fertilizer numbers on plant food bought from suppliers. This refers to the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer – all of which help with growth.
For indoor flowering plants like orchids, phosphorus can be particularly important to encourage orchids to bloom for longer.
Phosphorus is present in coffee grounds, although not so much as other nutrients like nitrogen which boosts photosynthesis and growth.
Jana is a garden expert and founder of First Saturday Lime, an eco-friendly pest control company. She has grown up tending to gardens and animals and now advises on gardening matters.
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This liquid fertilizer contains all the nutrients your orchids need to thrive with an emphasis on nitrogen and phosphate.
Are coffee Grounds good for orchids?
FAQ
Which plants benefit from coffee water?
Plants like azaleas, African violets, rhododendrons, blueberries, and hollies, for instance, tend to love coffee water. Using your coffee pods to caffeinate you and nourish your plants will likely have you both feeling an extra pep in your step — and it gives those plastic pods more of a useful life, too.
What is the best water for orchids?
Regular watering is important. But watering orchids with any kind of water can be harmful. Orchids prefer slightly acidic water (pH 6.5 ± 1).
What is the secret for blooming orchids?
Fertilize!
Give your orchids a teaspoon of 20-20-20 fertilizer. We suggest using the fertilizer once every two weeks or at least once a month at half strength. This means you’ll have to mix it with an equal amount of water before pouring it under the leaves of your plant.
Does coffee water harm orchids?
There are no nutrients present in brewed coffee water because the grounds are filtered out. Plain coffee water contains only one compound – caffeine. Unfortunately, caffeine does nothing beneficial for plants and can actually harm them in excess. Small amounts of coffee water likely won’t injure an orchid. But why take the risk for zero gain?
What is the best alternative to coffee for someone with esophageal candidiasis?
Candida albicans is a fungus that lives in our bodies in small amounts. In people with weak immunity systems, the fungus can flare up leading to severe infections like oral thrush. Esophageal thrush is a fungal infection in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of the mouth and esophagus(food pipe). It leads to creamy white patches on the esophagus. It can also spread to gums, tonsils, and throat. It is seen in immunocompromised patients, patients with diabetes, HIV, and oral steroid medications. The management of esophageal thrush is antifungal lozenges and antifungal mouthwash. The treatment consists of the application of antifungal cream inside the mouth containing nystatin, miconazole, or clotrimazole. It has to be applied for about 7 to 14 days. For severe infections, oral fluconazole tablets can also be given. Along with this proper oral hygiene must be maintained. The best alternative for coffee in esophageal candidiasis is yogurt, nonsugary drinks, lemon juice, and probiotic drink.
Does coffee help orchids bloom?
When acidity and a lack of nutrients come together, they can hurt the flower’s health and growth. Coffee can improve Lots of Orchid’s Flowers Bloom Miraculously. Coffee can improve Lots of Orchid’s Flowers Bloom Miraculously. Can I water my orchid with coffee water?
Should I add coffee to my orchid?
The only benefit of adding coffee to your orchid would be to serve as a pest repellent, although the high caffeine concentration stunts plant growth, instead of aiding it.
Can you use leftover coffee water to fertilize orchids?
Reusing leftover coffee water to fertilize or water orchids might seem like a great way to reduce waste. But again, the chemistry doesn’t work out in the orchid’s favor. There are no nutrients present in brewed coffee water because the grounds are filtered out. Plain coffee water contains only one compound – caffeine.
Are coffee beans good for orchids?
For household plants, coffee beans have their purpose and are great. For orchids, coffee beans are not beneficial and can present some very harmful side effects. In the soil, several beneficial bacteria break down elements and present them in a form that is absorbed by the plants.