Peace lilies are a great option for brightening any room but are known for being a nightmare to take care of. To avoid any drooping and let their distinct white flowers bloom it often takes some expert care and careful attention.
Not enough light, low humidity, too much watering and not enough watering can all lead to a flowerless plant, but one ingredient that most people chuck straight in the bin could hide the secret to see some flowers flourish.While regular watering and high humidity can help lilies flourish, after every coffee, you may be throwing away heaps of natural fertiliser without even knowing it. Leftover coffee grounds offer a great boost of nutrients as they are rich in nitrogen, a chemical that is key for plant growth and leaf health.
The grounds themselves can also create a perfect chemical balance in the soil that the lilies love.
Coffee is naturally acidic so adding some of the grounds into the soil can lower the ph which will benefit your plant even more.
David Denyer an expert gardener from florists Eflorist has also highlighted how your morning brew’s leftovers can not only provide a boost to the plant, but also keep some pesky pests away.
David said: “You swear by your morning cup of coffee, but some plant pests shudder at it. So, don’t toss those used grounds — they’re a free, year-round plant food that gives your indoor plants a nutrient boost, improves your soil, and may even deter insects and slugs.”
To get the best out of your grounds, all you need to do is mix a spoonful of the leftover coffee with some cold water and pour straight into the plant’s soil.
Adding the grounds like this can also help to improve the soil’s structure and water retention, making it easier to absorb water and any plant food you may be using.
However, plant parents need to be careful not to flood the peace lilies with as much coffee as they drink themselves.
The fertilizer only needs to be used around once a month as too regular use could result in the soil having too much nitrogen and becoming far too acidic – damaging your plant.
Another important caveat to note is that the coffee must be already brewed. Fresh grounds still contain large amounts of caffeine which in plants can prevent their roots and shoots from developing and stop any of the illustrious flowers from sprouting.
