Are coffee grounds good for pothos plants?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Used coffee grounds can be quite beneficial to your pothos plants, when used properly. Coffee grounds contain a lot of nitrogen, which promotes foliage growth, but too much will cause the soil to become too acidic. Every month I add a tablespoon of used coffee grounds to my golden pothos plant. Composting the coffee grounds will prevent the pH crash and help to feed good microbes. The right amounts of coffee grounds can do more good than harm.
Benefits
- Adds nitrogen for foliage development
- Deters slugs and snails naturally
- Improves soil texture when composted
Risks
- Lowers soil pH excessively if overused
- Attracts fungus gnats in damp conditions
- Fresh grounds inhibit seed germination
You should always wait to add compost grounds for 2-3 months. My compost bin is a personal project for transforming Starbucks waste into some black gold for Pothos house plant care. Layer the grounds with dry leaves as a source of carbon. This helps prevent matting and improves decomposition. When finished, sift the compost to reduce the clogging of the pores in the soil.
Soil Amendment
- Top-dress soil and water thoroughly
- Combine with crushed eggshells for calcium
- Apply only during active growth (spring/summer)
Troubleshooting
- Yellow leaves? Test soil pH, aim for 6.0-6.5
- Fungus gnats? Reduce moisture, add sand topping
- Stunted growth? Flush soil with distilled water
Moderation turns coffee ground waste into a booster for our plant's fuel. After changing my application style from weekly to monthly timing, my neon pothos is flourishing! If you don't drink coffee, you can also utilize previously used tea bags for the same premise. Regardless, do what is best for your plants, not what everyone is doing, and your pothos will thank you for it with a multitude of vines!
Read the full article: How to Propagate Pothos in 3 Simple Steps
