What Plants Should You Not Put Coffee Grounds Around?

Using Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

Coffee grounds are a great way to improve your garden soil and give your plants a boost, but you need to be careful with how you use them. While they can provide great benefits, they can also harm certain plants if used incorrectly.

What are Coffee Grounds?

Coffee grounds are the by-product of brewing coffee and are made up of leftover coffee grounds, oils, and other compounds found in coffee beans.

What is the pH Level of Coffee Grounds?

Coffee grounds have a pH level ranging from 3 to 4, which makes them slightly acidic.

Effects of Coffee Grounds on Plants

Because coffee grounds are acidic, they can affect the soil pH levels around plants and make it more difficult for them to absorb nutrients from soil.

What Plants Should Not Be Planted Around Coffee Grounds?

Geraniums:

Geraniums prefer slightly alkaline soils with a pH level of 6 to 7, so they should not be planted near coffee grounds as it may inhibit their growth.

Asparagus Ferns:

Asparagus ferns prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soils with a pH level between 6 and 8, so it’s best not to use coffee grounds around them as it may stunt their growth.

Chinese Mustard:

Chinese mustard prefers a slightly alkaline soil with a pH level between 6 and 8, so it’s best not to use coffee grounds around them as it may stunt their growth.

Italian Ryegrass:

Italian ryegrass prefers neutral soils with a pH level between 5 and 7, so it’s best not to use coffee grounds around them as it may stunt their growth.

How to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden

• Mix small amounts of coffee grounds into your compost pile for added nitrogen content.
• Sprinkle dry coffee grounds on top of your garden soil before planting seeds or seedlings.
• Add coffee grounds directly into your flower beds or vegetable gardens around existing plants that do not require an acidic soil environment.

Conclusion

Coffee grounds can be an excellent addition to your garden as long as you know which plants should not be planted near them. Knowing what plants thrive in acidic soils and which don’t can help you make an informed decision when adding coffee grounds into your garden.