For gardening enthusiasts, whether seasoned or novice, nourishing your potted plants is essential for their health and vitality. Take it from our pot plant expert: While synthetic fertilisers are readily available, everyday household ingredients can serve as excellent organic plant food. Recently, Awelani shared some of the most common household items you can use to promote the well-being of your potted plants.
Banana Peels
Banana peels are a versatile source of essential nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium. These nutrients play a pivotal role in flowering, fruiting, and overall plant vitality. Ferns in particular love them.
How to use: Chop banana peels into small pieces and bury them in the soil around your plants or create a “banana peel tea” by soaking them in water for a few days, then use the nutrient-rich liquid to water your plants. For horn ferns, place the banana peal directly on the fern base for quick nutrient absorption.
Cinnamon and Coffee
Cinnamon acts as a natural antifungal agent, helping prevent plant diseases, while coffee grounds provide a rich source of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential for plant growth.
How to use them: Mix a small amount of cinnamon into the used coffee grounds and sprinkle this combination on top of the soil or incorporate it into the potting mix to nourish your plants while protecting them from fungal diseases.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt, a common household item, is a valuable source of magnesium and sulphur, vital for photosynthesis and general plant health.
How to use:Dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and use this solution to water your plants every 4 to 6 weeks.
Caution: Overuse can harm your plants, so use it sparingly.
Milk
Milk, a kitchen staple, contains calcium, protein, and other nutrients that can strengthen plant cell walls, enhance overall plant health, and even deter certain pests.
How to use:Mix milk with water in a 1:1 ratio and use it as a water source for your plants. Be mindful not to overuse it, as milk can spoil and attract unwanted microorganisms if left in the soil for too long. Additionally, milk’s antimicrobial properties can help prevent some plant diseases.
Wood Ash
Wood ash, a byproduct of your fireplace or braai, contains potassium and a range of trace minerals beneficial for plant growth. It also helps raise soil pH if it’s too acidic.
How to use: Sprinkle wood ash sparingly around the base of your plants, taking care not to overdo it, as excessive ash can raise soil pH to unhealthy levels.
Teabags and Oats
Used tea bags and oats are excellent sources of nitrogen, providing your plants with a nutrient essential for healthy foliage and vigorous growth. They also help improve soil structure.
How to use: Open used tea bags and sprinkle the tea leaves on the soil’s surface or mix them into the potting mix. You can also bury used teabags and oats in the soil to decompose gradually, releasing nitrogen.
Potato Peel Water
Water leftover from boiling potatoes is a rich source of potassium, which supports flowering, fruiting, and overall plant vitality. Alternatively, soak your potato peels in water for a day or two and use the water for your pot plants. They’ll thank you later.
How to use: Let the potato peel water cool, then use it to water your plants. The nutrient-rich water provides a valuable potassium boost for your potted plants.
Nourishing your potted plants with everyday household ingredients is a cost-effective, eco-friendly approach that promotes both plant well-being and sustainability. These readily available items can provide the essential nutrients your plants require to thrive, all while reducing waste and environmental impact.
Experiment with these common household ingredients to create a perfect recipe for your potted plants, and witness them flourish naturally. Happy gardening!Got any additional suggestions, or seeing results from our suggestions? Share them by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram. Head to your nearest Makro, Builder’s Warehouse or Game today and be ready for any season with Garden Master! Visit our website for more.
