Is coffee a good fertilizer for plants?

Source: Bard

Coffee can be a good fertilizer for plants in certain ways, but it's important to understand its limitations and use it properly. 

Here's the breakdown:

Pros:

Nutrients: Coffee grounds contain essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, all beneficial for plant growth. Nitrogen especially helps boost foliage and stem health.

Soil structure: Coffee grounds improve soil aeration and drainage, allowing better water flow and root penetration.

Acidity: The slightly acidic nature of coffee benefits acid-loving plants like blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas.

Pests: Coffee grounds may deter some pests like slugs and snails due to their strong smell.

Cons:

Acidity: The acidity can be harmful to non-acid-loving plants like vegetables and most flowering plants.

Overfertilization: Too much coffee can burn roots and damage plants due to nitrogen buildup.

Mold: Moist coffee grounds can attract mold growth, potentially harming plants.

Lack of balance: Coffee lacks some key nutrients like calcium and phosphorus for complete plant nutrition.

How to use coffee as fertilizer:

Compost: Add small amounts of coffee grounds to your compost pile for balanced nutrient breakdown.

Direct application: Sprinkle a thin layer of dried coffee grounds around acid-loving plants. Avoid adding directly to delicate plants.

Liquid fertilizer: Dilute leftover coffee or soaked coffee grounds (1:4 coffee to water) and use it occasionally to water acid-loving plants.

Overall:

Coffee can be a beneficial supplement to regular fertilization, but not a replacement.

Use it cautiously and sparingly, especially for non-acid-loving plants.

Monitor your plants for any negative reactions.