Do succulents like coffee grounds on their soil? Coffee grounds are a popular addition to many gardens, but can they be used with succulents?
The short answer is yes, some succulents can benefit from the nutrients in coffee grounds.
However, it’s important to use them carefully, as too many coffee grinds can be harmful to these plants. And you need to take care of which type of succulents you add coffee grounds to.
Here’s what you need to know about using coffee grounds with succulents.
The Benefits Of Coffee Grounds For Succulents
One of the primary benefits of using coffee grounds for succulents is that it helps improve drainage by providing aeration to the soil. Succulents are native to arid environments, and as such, they require well-drained soil to thrive.
In addition to improving drainage, coffee grounds can also help retain moisture in the soil. This is especially beneficial during the hot summer months when succulents are susceptible to drought stress. The coffee grounds will help keep the roots cool and moist while also providing a few extra nutrients.
Coffee grounds are also a great source of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plants. Nitrogen helps promote green growth and helps plants create new leaves and stems.
In addition to nitrogen, coffee grounds also contain other essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. These nutrients are important for root growth, flower production, and overall plant health.
Essentially, the coffee grounds act as a fertilizer. However, everything in moderation; succulents can be damaged by concentrated nutrient levels which can result in caustic root burn so don’t go overboard in adding coffee grounds to your succulents.
Finally, coffee grounds can help deter pests from bothering your succulents. Slugs and snails do not like the smell of coffee and will often avoid plants that contain it.
If you find that your succulents are being bothered by pets or pests, try sprinkling some coffee grounds around their base, you may just find pets and pests go away and stay away.
Which Succulents Can Benefit From Coffee Grounds?
Adding coffee grounds to soil can make the soil more acidic.
The following succulents prefer a slightly acidic soil and would benefit from coffee grounds used sparingly:
- African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)
- Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
- String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
- Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
- Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Succulents that prefer slightly alkaline soil may potentially be harmed by the addition of coffee grounds to their soil. These species include:
- Aloe Vera
- Sempervivum
- Agaves
- Sedum
- Echeveria
If you’d like to read more about soil acidity, how to measure it and how it affects succulents, check out our guide Do Succulents Like Acidic Soil? signs of pH Soil Imbalance.
How To Use Coffee Grounds For Succulents
When using coffee grounds with succulents, it’s important to start with a small amount and then increase it gradually over time. This will give your plant time to adjust to the new environment and avoid any potential problems.
The best way to add coffee grounds to your succulent soil is to mix them in with some compost or coconut coir. This will help to improve the drainage and aeration of the soil while also providing your plant with some extra nutrients.
If you don’t have any compost or coconut coir available, you can simply add a small handful of coffee grounds to the soil around your plant. Just make sure you don’t add too much and make the soil acidity levels too high.
It’s also a good idea to only use fresh coffee grounds – old, used grounds can actually be harmful to plants. If you’re not sure how long ago the coffee was ground, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not use it.
Finally, remember that coffee grounds can be acidic, so they may not be suitable for all plants. If you’re unsure, it’s best to test the soil before adding any coffee grounds to it.
You can do this by taking a small sample of soil and mixing it with some water. Then, use a pH test kit to check the acidity of the soil. If it’s too acidic, you’ll need to find another way to add nitrogen to your plant’s diet.
Can Too Many Coffee Grounds Harm Succulents?
Coffee grounds can be great for plants. They can provide much-needed nutrients and help with drainage and aeration. However, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. If you use too many coffee grounds on your succulents, you could end up with problems such as:
Over-fertilization: Coffee grounds are full of nitrogen, which is great for plants in small doses. However, if you use too many coffee grounds, your succulent could become over-fertilized. This can lead to problems such as root burn, leaf burn and stunted growth.
Improper drainage: Coffee grounds can help improve drainage, but if you use too many of them, they could actually start to impede drainage. This could lead to your succulent becoming waterlogged and developing root rot.
Lack of aeration: While coffee grounds can help aerate the soil, using too many of them could actually cause the opposite effect. If the coffee grounds are packed too tightly, they could start to suffocate your plant.
As you can see, it’s possible to harm your succulent by using too many coffee grounds. If you want to use coffee grounds on your succulents, use them sparingly. A little goes a long way.
Things To Know When Using Coffee Grounds For Succulents
Succulents are relatively easy to care for and can thrive few nutrients. But, just like us, they like a little extra help every now and again. Coffee grounds are a great source of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plants. Here are a few additional things you should keep in mind when using coffee grounds for succulents.
First of all, it’s important to make sure that the coffee grounds are completely dry before adding them to the soil. Wet coffee grounds can lead to fungal growth, which can be harmful to your plants.
If you’re using fresh coffee grounds, simply spread them out on a paper towel and allow them to air dry before using.
Secondly, add the coffee grounds to the soil rather than directly on the plant itself. The coffee grounds can burn the plant if they come into direct contact. Simply sprinkle a layer of coffee grounds around the base of the plant and lightly work them into the top layer of soil.
Finally, remember that too much of a good thing can be bad for your plants. While a little bit of extra nitrogen can be beneficial for succulents, too much can lead to leaf yellowing and stunted growth. It’s best to start with small amounts of coffee grounds and increase as needed.
If you follow these simple tips, you can use coffee grounds to give your succulents a little boost of nutrients without harming them. So go ahead and enjoy that cup of coffee – your plants will thank you for it.
What Other Fertilizers Are Good For Succulents?
Just like any other plant, succulents can benefit from gentle fertilizer for healthy growth. Aside from coffee grounds, other fertilizers that are used with succulents include:
- compost manure – you can buy ‘manure tea bags’ (not for human consumption!)
- compost from kitchen and garden scraps
- banana peels – which are high in potassium
- epsom salts – high in magnesium
- fish emulsion – this liquid fertilizer is made from fish waste and is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
- seaweed – rich in nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus
- egg shells – calcium and potassium-rich
- commercial fertilizers – look for ones that are succulent or cacti specific. These provide the right balance of nutrients for these plants and are generally weaker to reflect the lower nutrient requirements of succulents and cacti
When fertilizing succulents naturally, it’s important to do so sparingly. Remember, these plants which have evolved in low-nutrient environments. They don’t need a lot of fertilizer and too much can be harmful. Be sure to follow the instructions on whatever fertilizer you’re using.
When Should You Use Coffee Ground For Succulents?
As with any plant fertilizer, the best time is during the growing season. And that will depend on the type of plant and the growing conditions in your particular climate. Different plants have different growth and dormancy seasons although in general, spring and fall are the main growth times.
However, coffee grounds can be used as a top dressing for succulents at any time of year is being used to ward of pets and pests. Be sparing and be sure to monitor your plants closely after applying coffee grounds to ensure you haven’t added too much.
If you live in an area with very hot summers, you may want to wait until fall to apply coffee grounds to your succulents. This will allow the plants time to adjust to the new soil conditions before they have to deal with the stresses of high temperatures.
Monitor your plant closely and stop using coffee grounds if you see any negative effects on your plants.
Do Cactus Plants Like Coffee Ground?
Cacti are a type of plant that is often associated with desert climates. They are known for their ability to store water, which makes them well-suited to dry and arid conditions.
While most people think of cacti as being native to hot, sandy environments, they can actually be found in a variety of different habitats all over the world.
One common question that people have about cacti is whether or not they like coffee grounds. It turns out that cacti can indeed benefit from coffee grounds and the nitrogen hit they provide, along with improved soil drainage and aeration.
If you want to give your cactus a little extra boost, try adding some used coffee grounds to its potting mix. Just let the coffee grounds dry out completely before using them, as wet coffee grounds can cause root rot.
And if you’re worried about caffeine affecting your cactus, don’t be – cacti are very tolerant of caffeine, and it won’t harm them in any way.
Wrapping Up
Coffee grounds can be a great fertilizer for succulents and cacti. They are a rich source of nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium, all essential nutrients for healthy plants.
You can use coffee grounds as a top dressing or mix them into the soil. Just make sure not to overdo it, since too much can be harmful to succulents. And ensure you don’t use coffee grounds on succulents species that prefer a slightly alkaline soil.
