For ages we have been hearing our parents and especially our grandparents telling us how we can reuse our Tea in different ways around the house. This article gives you a deeper understanding into this “old wives tale’’ that has substance to it.
Is tea good for plants?
Tea is a natural source of tannic acid and nitrogen, which can enhance the fertility of the soil for plant growth. By using leftover tea to water your plants, you can provide them with hydration and nourishment. Additionally, tea can boost plant growth rate and support root development.
Relax with a cup of your favorite tea as you read through this article to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of using tea for plant care.
Tea for Plants
Brewed tea is an excellent way to keep plants nourished, it hydrates and keeps their soil well fertilized. Tea provides not only water, nitrogen, and manganese but a nice dosage of macro and micronutrients as well.
Nutrients in Tea
Tea is rich in Polyphenols and nitrogen, and the quantity of these compounds varies depending on the type of tea consumed.
Moreover, tea also contains other vital nutrients such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc, which are all essential for promoting the health and growth of plants.
How Does Tea Affect Plant Growth?
Tea is packed with minerals and nutrients that can significantly aid in plant growth.
As previously mentioned, watering your plants with brewed tea is akin to providing them with nutrient-rich water.
The following list includes plant families that contain fruits, flowers, and creepers, and they all share one common characteristic: they thrive when watered with brewed tea!
- African violets
- Azaleas
- Begonias
- Berries
- Camellias
- Daffodils
- Easter lilies
- Ferns
- Heather
- Hydrangeas (blue)
- Orchids (not all)
- Oxalis
- Philodendrons
- Poinsettias
- Rhododendrons
- Roses
- Rubber plants
- Shrubs
- Spider plants
- Most vegetables
- Most herbs
- Many flowers
- Many fruits
What Type of Plants Hate Tea?
Although the earlier mentioned plant family grouping had a long list, there are indeed some plants that should not be watered with Tea. The top 15 plants that don’t like tea are: Baby’s breath, Boston ivy, Cactus, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Daisies, Geraniums, Hibiscus, Hydrangeas (pink), Iris, Marigolds, Peonies, Poppies and Sunflowers.
What type of Tea should I use for watering of plants?
Any type of brewed tea can be used for watering plants and fertilizing their soil, including leftover green tea, black tea, and herbal tea blends. However, it’s important to note that tea that has been sweetened with any type of sweetener is not suitable for watering plants, as sugar can be harmful to their health. Used tea of any kind, whether watered down or left out for some time, is good for plants. Here are some of the best types of tea for watering plants.
Tea Leaves for Plants
Using raw tea leaves is an excellent way to provide nutrition to your plants. They contain a high amount of nitrogen and other essential nutrients in trace amounts.
Raw tea leaves can be used to feed various types of plants, including tropical plants, house plants, and garden vegetables.
Green Tea for Plants
Green tea is an organic fertilizer that is as healthy and beneficial for plants as its counterparts in liquid form. Raw green tea leaves are mostly used for plants, inside and out, and roses, ornamental bushes, blueberries, and tomatoes benefit the most from it.
Black Tea for Plants
Black tea contains tannic acid and a range of nutrients that can benefit plants. It can be applied to plants in either liquid form, as in brewed tea, or dried and ground up.
It is effective for a broad range of plants, including tropical plants, houseplants, and vegetables.
Green Tea for Plants
Organic herbal tea blends like chamomile, comfrey, willow, and others can provide numerous benefits to plants, such as hydration and a nutrient boost. Similar to how it can provide a quick pick-me-up for us when we need it the most. However, it’s important to note that each herbal blend has a unique list of ingredients in varying proportions, and may work better for specific types of plants. Therefore, it’s essential to be mindful of the ingredients in the herbal tea blend before using it on your plants.
The Effect of Caffeine on Plants
While caffeine is generally considered harmful to plants, one of its main drawbacks is its ability to slow down the development of plant roots and eventually stunt their growth.
It is worth noting, however, that a few plant species have demonstrated a growth spurt when caffeine was added to their soil.
Pros of Watering Plants with Tea
Watering plants with tea provides numerous benefits, including promoting new growth, increasing leaf production, improving root development, hydrating plants, delivering trace nutrients, fertilizing the soil, and promoting the overall well-being of plants.
Cons of Watering Plants with Tea
The drawbacks of using tea to water plants are insignificant when compared to its benefits:
- Possibility of overwatering when too much is applied
- Accumulation of heavy metals such as aluminum
- Retardation in growth due to excessive application
It is crucial to note that all the disadvantages linked to using tea on plants can be easily prevented by utilizing it in moderation.
How To Use Brewed Tea for Plants
When it comes to using brewed tea on plants, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, a popular method is to brew tea, let it steep overnight, and use it to water your plants as you would with plain water the following day. This simple technique can provide your plants with added hydration and nutrients.
How To Use Tea leaves on your plants
You can apply tea leaves to your plants in various ways, such as:
- Laying the leaves on the soil near the base of the plant.
- Adding the leaves to your compost and using the resulting organic compost to amend your plant’s soil.
- Mixing the leaves with leftover tea and using the mixture to water your plants regularly.
FAQs of Tea for Plant Growth
Can I use Tea Leaves for Plant Growth?
Tea leaves can be a valuable addition to your backyard compost bin, providing an abundance of micro and macronutrients, as well as essential nitrogen, as they decompose.
Tea bags as an Insect Repellant for Plants
While tea bags can help deter insects from your plants, they may not provide a foolproof solution. Nonetheless, they are effective against certain pests like ants, spiders, and mites.
To enhance the potency of this natural pest-control method, consider adding some mint leaves or bruised clove buds to the mix.
Conclusion
In light of the pressing issue of global warming in the 21st century, we must all take responsibility and find ways to reduce our environmental impact. Recycling and upcycling should become regular practices in our daily lives. One way to hydrate and nourish your plants while also fertilizing the soil is by using tea as a creative and organic solution.
Although using tea as a natural fertilizer has its benefits, excessive use may lead to adverse effects such as stunted growth in plants. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that not all plants respond positively to tea as a fertilizer, so it’s helpful to have a list of plants that don’t benefit from it.
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