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Spruce Up Your Space (and Your Plants!) with DIY Natural Fertilizers

Updated: May 18, 2024

Looking to add a touch of life to your home environment? Houseplants are a fantastic way to boost your mood and purify the air, but keeping them thriving can sometimes feel like a chore.  This is where the magic of natural fertilizers comes in!  With a little creativity, you can whip up potent, all-natural plant food using everyday items from your kitchen and make the best DIY Natural Fertilizers.


Spruce up your space and your plants with DIY Natural Fertilizers


Transform Kitchen Scraps into Plant Power

Houseplants bring life and beauty to our homes, but keeping them flourishing can feel like a mystery.  Forget expensive store-bought fertilizers!  Your kitchen holds a treasure trove of natural ingredients that can be transformed into potent plant food.  From eggshells to banana peels, discover how to unlock the hidden potential of everyday scraps and create a thriving indoor jungle without breaking the bank.  Remember, a little creativity goes a long way, and testing is key!  Read on to explore these fantastic DIY Natural fertilizer options, but be sure to test them on a single plant first to ensure they're a perfect match for your green companions.


A carton of 5 eggs and 1 eggshell

Eggshells: 

Packed with calcium, eggshells are a fantastic gift for plants that love slightly alkaline soil, like tomatoes and peppers. Simply crush or grind eggshells into a fine powder and sprinkle them around the base of your plants, or incorporate them directly into your potting mix.


Coffee Grounds: 


Don't toss those leftover coffee grounds! 


Coffee grounds, especially unused grounds, hold a wealth of nitrogen, a key element for healthy plant growth. Mix a handful of used coffee grounds into your potting soil, or brew a pot of coffee and let it cool completely before watering it down to a 1:4 ratio (coffee:water) and using it to directly water your plants.  


Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee

Be mindful that coffee grounds can increase soil acidity, so this method might not be suitable for all plants.




Banana Peels: 

Potassium is another crucial element for plant health, and banana peels are bursting with it!  Rich in potassium and other beneficial nutrients, banana peels can be chopped or buried directly around the base of your favorite plants. 


Banana Peel Fertilizer

Alternatively, you can steep a banana peel in a liter of water for 24 hours, strain the liquid, and dilute it again with water at a 1:10 ratio before watering your plants.


Peeled Vegetables on Chopping Board, White Compost Bin on Wooden Background. Top View of Kitchen Food Waste Collected in Recycling Compost Pot.


Bonus Gift: The Power of Compost Tea:

For those who love getting their hands dirty, creating compost tea is a fantastic way to nourish plants and promote healthy soil.  Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer teeming with beneficial microorganisms that can supercharge your plants' health.  To create compost tea, simply steep a handful of compost in a container of water for a few days, then dilute the resulting liquid and use it to water your plant collection.


Remember:

  • Always test any new fertilizer solution on a single plant first to monitor its reaction.

  • While these natural solutions are excellent for providing general plant nutrition,  they may not be a complete substitute for commercial fertilizers, particularly for plants with specific needs.

  • Observe your plants and adjust your approach as needed.


A woman is spraying Liquid fertilizer for the plant

By incorporating these natural ingredients into your plant care routine, you can create a thriving indoor jungle without breaking the bank. So ditch the store-bought fertilizers and embrace the power of your kitchen pantry!



Test, Refine, and Grow: Cultivating Plantastic Success with DIY Natural Fertilizers


Now that you've unlocked the power of natural fertilizers, it's time to get growing! Remember, these DIY solutions provide general plant nutrition, and some plants might have specific needs. Always test a new fertilizer on a single plant first and observe its reaction. Don't be afraid to experiment and refine your approach based on your plants' individual preferences. With a little care and these fantastic kitchen concoctions, you can cultivate a thriving indoor oasis that will bring joy and a touch of nature to your living space.


Spruce up your space and your plants with DIY Natural Fertilizers

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Happy Planting!



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