Who would have thought that the best fertilizers are hidden among kitchen scraps – and not in those expensive bottles with a label that sounds like a recipe for a science fiction explosion? Yes, you read that right: coffee grounds, banana peels and even rice water can become your favorite smoothies for your houseplants. Let's see how to use natural fertilizers!
Forget about chemicals – it's time for natural fertilizers. Why buy artificial fertilizers with names that read like a pharmaceutical manual when you can use things you already have at home? Your kitchen is a secret laboratory of natural wonders – plastic-free, toxin-free, with lots of love and some culinary recycling.
Natural fertilizers from your kitchen!
Here are 6 natural fertilizers that your plants they just love it (and smell a little better than the industrial equivalents).
Coffee grounds – morning espresso for your ficuses
If you're one of those who can't start their day without coffee (read: most of humanity), we have good news - your plants love caffeine leftovers too. Coffee grounds It is full of nitrogen, improves soil structure and promotes lush growth.
Ideal for:
- ficus
- spathiphyllum
- calathea
- ZZ plant
Tip: Don't overdo it. Plants don't need coffee – make it a slow brew, not an espresso overdose.
Eggshells – calcium that’s not just for bones
Don't throw away the peels after breakfast - recycle them as a natural source of calcium. Dry them, crush them and mix them into the soil. This will act as a vitamin supplement for your plants - without the capsules and commercials at 8 pm.
Ideal for:
- cactus
- jade plant
- orchid
- potos
Rice water – an Asian spa treatment for your greens
The water you have left over after cooking rice isn't just for the drain. Cooled rice water contains mild nutrients that promote growth and improve plant health—without any of the drama.
Ideal for:
- rubber plant
- corn plant
- flame lily
- English ivy
Tip:: Do not salt the water when cooking. Plants prefer the natural, not the “gourmet” version.
Banana peel – potassium in its most photogenic form
Why are natural fertilizers better? If bananas regularly end up in your smoothie, let their skins end up where they'll really be useful. Banana peels are a great source of potassium, which encourages flowering and healthy growth. Chop up the peels and bury them in the soil.
Ideal for:
- hydrangea
- rose
- pachira
- sansevieria (snake plant)
Baking soda – the little white superhero
Baking soda is more than just a baking aid or shoe deodorizer. In the plant world, it acts as a natural fungicide and pH regulator. Mix it into your watering water or use it as a spray.
Ideal for:
- peace lily (spatiphyllum)
- aloe vera
- cast iron plant
- spider plant
- venus flytrap
Cinnamon – a sweet-smelling defense against fungus
Cinnamon isn't just reserved for apple pies and holiday dinners. It's an incredibly powerful natural antifungal agent that prevents rot and repels pesky pests. Sprinkle it on the soil around your plant.
Ideal for:
- cactus
- ZZ plant
- spider web
- hydrangea
- Venus flytrap
Tip: And it smells better than any commercial spray, hand on heart.
Mini trick for maximum effect – natural fertilizers
Use it one natural fertilizer per month – your plant doesn’t need to get an “all-inclusive” treatment all at once. Less is more. Even in the jungle, plants don’t mix coffee grounds with banana peels and rice water in one day.
Natural fertilizers = plant elixir
Next time you’re about to throw away those eggshells or coffee filters, remember – they’re not trash, they’re ingredients for natural fertilizer. Your houseplants will thank you, your wallet will breathe easier, and your Instagram will be full of lush greenery that will make all your followers go #plantenvy.
And hey – if you can convince a monstera to pose, you've almost won at life.
