Hydrangeas are a popular plant that produce big, beautiful blooms – but there is one kitchen scrap that can help boost their growth and keep them healthy
Hydrangeas are a summer garden staple, thanks to their stunning blooms, but it can be frustrating if they don’t flower as abundantly as expected. A primary reason hydrangeas may struggle to thrive is a lack of nutrients.
However, instead of spending a fortune on commercial fertilisers, you can give your flowers a boost with coffee grounds. According to a gardener and the founder of Hydrangea Love, the acidic properties and nutrients present in coffee grounds can enhance hydrangea blooms and maintain their health, reports the Express.
She explained: “Using coffee grounds for hydrangea plants offers several benefits that can enhance their growth and vibrancy. Coffee grounds are rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, which is crucial for healthy foliage. Additionally, they help improve soil structure and drainage, promoting root health
“The slightly acidic nature of coffee grounds can also influence the soil pH, which is particularly beneficial for hydrangeas as it can help in achieving their characteristic blue blooms.”
The nitrogen in coffee can improve photosynthesis in hydrangeas, accelerating their growth and leading to more substantial blooms. Coffee grounds also serve as a natural pest deterrent, famously repelling slugs from gardens due to their intense dislike of the sharp smell of coffee.
How to boost hydrangea flowers with coffee grounds
Store your coffee grounds in a container and ensure they’re completely dried out before application to your hydrangea. To dry, scatter the coffee grounds on a baking sheet and let them air for a day or two, which was recommended by a gardener: “This prevents mould growth and makes them easier to handle.”
After the drying process, distribute the coffee grounds thinly around the hydrangea’s soil. Remember not to over-apply, as hydrangeas only require about one cup per plant for growth support, benefiting from a monthly feed throughout summer.
Coffee grounds can also be infused into compost or turned into liquid fertiliser, enhancing hydrangea blooms.
The advice given is: “Soak about a cup of used coffee grounds in five gallons of water for a week, stirring occasionally. Use this nutrient-rich solution to water your hydrangeas.”
Utilising coffee grounds as a fertiliser during summer can lead to larger hydrangea blooms growing in an eco-friendly way. Yet, it’s crucial to use them sparingly, with only one cup needed per hydrangea plant once a month during summer for optimal growth.
If you choose to integrate coffee grounds into your garden care, keep a lookout for any adverse effects on your hydrangeas, such as leaf yellowing or stunted growth, as the gardener advised: “After incorporating coffee grounds, keep an eye on your hydrangeas for any signs of distress, such as yellowing leaves or stunted growth.
“These symptoms could indicate an imbalance in soil nutrients. If necessary, adjust the amount or frequency of coffee ground application.”