Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Hobby gardeners always try to use as few chemicals as possible in their own garden. Therefore, when it comes to fertilizer, care is taken to use mainly home remedies. Coffee grounds are also a popular fertilizer for plants in the garden. However, not all plants tolerate the ingredients in the coffee grounds, so alternative fertilizers should be used here. The following article has compiled a list of garden plants that do not do well with coffee grounds as fertilizer.
Coffee grounds as fertilizer
The set from the used coffee filter is very popular among many hobby gardeners as a fertilizer. In this way, the plants are supplied with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and sulphur. Above all, the nitrogen content of coffee grounds is very high, which many plants then do not cope with very well. Some plants need nitrogen as a basis for lush and intensive growth. Other plants do not tolerate coffee and then only grow taller, but produce neither flowers nor fruit. And the slightly acidic character of coffee with a pH value between 6.5 and 6.8 is not at all suitable for many plants. Below, the plants with an intolerance to coffee grounds have been broken down into the following categories:
- fruit plants
- vegetable plants
- flowering plants
- evergreen plants
tip: Sometimes it can also be a question of dosage whether a plant tolerates coffee grounds or not. This includes, above all, the relationship between the soil conditions and the amount of coffee grounds added.
fruit plants
Many types of fruit that can be found in local gardens should not be fertilized with coffee grounds in order to ensure a bountiful harvest. The following fruit plants are among the incompatible plants that do not want fertilizer made from coffee grounds:
Apple (Malus domestica)
- Genus of the rose family (Rosaceae)
- can grow up to four meters high
- deciduous
- many different varieties
- prefers nutrient-rich soil
- Location sunny to semi-shady
- Fertilization with compost recommended
- regular annual cut
- flowering in May
- fruits in autumn
Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus)
- The rose family (Rosaceae)
- one of the oldest fruit species
- originally native to forests
- upright or recumbent tendrils
- need climbing help
- Location sunny
- Lime-poor soil, neutral to basic pH
- keep slightly moist
- Compost fertilization is recommended
- regular pruning required
Strawberries (Fragaria)
- The rose family (Rosaceae)
- Harvest from May to autumn
- many different varieties
- several times bearing and once bearing
- only give a little fertilizer
- too many nutrients will only stimulate foliage growth
- Flowers and fruits are diminished
- Protect plants from too much moisture from above
- water regularly on hot days
- only from below to the roots
Currants (Ribes)
- Gooseberry family
- many different varieties
- in cottage gardens for centuries
- Can be cultivated as a shrub or standard
- flowering in spring
- fruits in July
- partially shaded to sunny location
- Compost and mulch as fertilizer
- cut after harvest
Peach (Prunus persica)
- original homeland of central and northern China
- since the Middle Ages in the Orient and the Mediterranean
- Nectarines a subspecies
- sheltered, sunny location
- Soil rich in nutrients and deep
- fertilize with compost and mulch
- water regularly
- flowering in May
- fruits in July and August
Plum (Prunus domestica)
- The rose family (Rosaceae)
- Subspecies plum, mirabelle and greengage
- Origin also in Europe
- sunny location
- nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- flowering time in spring
- Depending on the variety
- fertilize with compost
- Water regularly during fruit ripening
Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa)
- Gooseberry family (Grossulariaceae)
- Original form widespread in Asia, North Africa and Europe
- light location preferred
- slightly moist soil
- humus and nutritious
- water frequently for a good harvest
- fertilize with compost and horn shavings instead of coffee grounds
- alternatively use organic berry fertilizer
- Harvest in August
- Can be cultivated as a shrub, trellis or standard
vegetable plants
Vegetable beds are often planted in the garden, because freshly harvested from your own garden right on the table is the trend. Of course, the vegetables must not come into contact with chemical agents so that they remain purely biological. Coffee grounds are often used here as fertilizer, but not all types of vegetables tolerate the ingredients equally well. It is therefore better to avoid using coffee grounds as fertilizer for the following vegetables and to use other alternatives:
Chard (Beta vulgaris)
- also known as a cabbage stalk
- botanically related to beetroot
- biennial plant
- evenly moist soil
- humic, nutrient-rich soil
- sunny to partially shaded location
- Use horn shavings and compost as fertilizer
- moderate fertilization is sufficient as it consumes medium amounts
- Ready to harvest two months after sowing
- conditionally hardy
Carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus)
- Apiaceae family
- cultivated carrots in local latitudes
- descends from Wilder Möhre
- Native to North Africa, Asia and Europe
- different colors depending on the variety
- early and late varieties
- loamy-sandy, loose soil
- Apply a layer of compost to the seed
- provide enough water
- Ripens after about 70 days
Black salsify (Scorzonera hispanica)
- daisy family (Compositae)
- also "asparagus of the little man"
- originally from southern Europe
- sandy-humic loose soil
- must not be too wet
- pour little
- sunny to partially shaded location
- supply with organic vegetable fertilizer instead of coffee grounds
- Harvest time is October
- carefully dig up fragile roots
Celery (Apium graveolens)
- Celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce)
- Celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum)
- Medicinal plant in the Mediterranean since antiquity
- Location sunny to light shade
- heavy feeder
- therefore nutrient-rich soil
- calcareous and moist
- Enrich soil with compost and algae lime
- Add horn meal several times a year
- can be fertilized with stale potato water
notice: There are some biological fertilizers as home remedies that are also well tolerated by plants that should not be given coffee grounds as fertilizer. These include horn meal or shavings, banana peels or wood ash.
flowering plants
The lush flower beds should not be missing in any garden or front yard. So that the plants here can also develop their beautiful flowers and transform the garden into a colorful sea, they need fertilizer. However, the set from the coffee filter is hardly suitable for the following flowering plants:
Asters (Aster)
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- originally from Africa and America
- over 180 varieties
- many different flower colors
- Flowering time is autumn
- Soil with low nutrient content
- can be enriched with compost
- calcareous soil often preferred
- some varieties suitable for rock gardens
- sunny location
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- originally from East Asia
- many different varieties
- autumn flowering perennials
- Multicolored or unicolored, double or single flowers
- use high-quality potting soil from the trade
- then further fertilization can be omitted
- dry soil preferred
- Soil nutrient-rich, permeable and calcareous
- sunny location
Clematis (Clematis)
- also known as clematis
- Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
- native to Asia, North America and Europe
- strong climbing plant
- Location prefers roots in the shade
- upper part of the plant also likes to be in the sun
- consistently moist, humus-rich and well-drained soil
- mulch to retain moisture
- provides fertilizer at the same time
- fertilize with compost and horn shavings
Gladiolus (gladiolus)
- also Swordflower or Siegwurz
- Iris family (Iridceae)
- native to Africa, the Near East and southern Europe
- up to 1.50 meters growth height
- Flowering from June to September
- deep and permeable soil
- very nutritious and fresh
- sunny and sheltered location
- fertilize with compost and horn meal
- Tubers overwinter outside of the ground
Globe thistle (Echinops)
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- showy, globular flower balls
- with many small single flowers
- on long stems
- Growth height up to two meters
- Flowering time between July and September
- Location sunny
- nutrient-rich and well-drained soil
- preferably fertilize with compost
- Plant is very adaptable
Carnation (Dianthus)
- originally native to Greece and Italy
- Hybrids are used for the gardens
- many different varieties with different flower colors
- Flowering from June to September
- sunny and warm location
- Soil evenly moist but rather poor in nutrients
- water more during long periods of drought
- compost at planting
- annual plants no further fertilization
Peony (Paeonia)
- Own plant family Peony family (Paeoniaceae)
- as subshrubs, perennials and shrubs
- formerly of great importance as a medicinal plant
- Slightly toxic in all parts
- Flowers of many different colors and shapes
- Flowering time between April and May
- mineral and poor in humus soil
- loamy, moist and well drained
- sunny to partially shaded location
- Fertilize with a focus on potassium and phosphate
roses (pink)
- eponymous for the rose family (Rosaceae)
- many different varieties
- Distinction between cultivated roses and wild roses
- location sunny and airy applies to all
- Soil well drained, humic and sandy-loamy
- fertilize twice a year
- once in spring with compost and horn meal
- second time in June
- Pruning is important
Rockroses (Helianthemum hybrids)
- Rockrose family (Cistaceae)
- native to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean
- dwarf shrubs
- Flowering time in early summer
- flowers on panicles
- many different colors
- full sun location
- open flowers only in the sun
- dry, well drained, calcareous soil
- Fertilize regularly with compost instead of coffee grounds
Yellow rockrose, Helianthemum nummularium
Vetch (Lathyrus odoratus)
- original homeland southern Italy
- Butterfly bloomer family (Faboidae)
- annual climber
- up to 1.50 meters high
- Flowering period between June and September
- many different flower colors
- sunny to semi-shady, wind-protected location
- no blazing midday sun
- moderately moist and nutrient-rich soil
- calcareous with high pH
Evergreen plants
Evergreen plants are usually shrubs or small trees that are often used as hedges in the garden. Of course, these should grow quickly so that they offer good privacy protection. Therefore, many hobby gardeners fertilize here with the set from the coffee filter to provide the shrubs with enough nitrogen. However, the following evergreen plants only tolerate the fertilizer made from coffee to a limited extent:
Boxwood (Buxus)
- eponymous for the boxwood family (Buxaceae)
- native to the entire northern hemisphere
- in local latitudes common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
- sunny to partially shaded location
- avoid hot locations in front of the south wall
- calcareous, slightly moist soil
- use mature compost as fertilizer
- Apply a layer of mulch all year round
- well tolerated by cuts
- can be cut into many different shapes
Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)
- Sumac family (Anacardiaceae)
- related to the vinegar tree
- gladly planted as a solitaire
- as a shrub, as tall as it is wide
- Branches hang down in tows
- Fruit covers the bush in autumn
- looks like a wig-like veil
- sunny location preferred
- calcareous, poorly nutrient-rich, dry soil
- needs little fertilization
Smoke bush, Cotinus coggygria
notice: Evergreen plants, which are usually cultivated as a hedge, should of course grow quickly. The nitrogen in the coffee helps with this. However, you should not use coffee if the shrubs react intolerantly to acidic soil. Because coffee makes the soil a little more acidic with each fertilization process, which is then not tolerated.