You may have heard that coffee grounds can be used to improve the health of plants. But do citrus trees like coffee grounds? You’d probably want to see if coffee really works before using it as a fertilizer for your orange or lemon trees.
Let’s look at whether citrus trees like coffee grounds? If so, how much should you apply and what other steps will you need in order to make sure excess caffeine won’t harm the plant?
Is Ground Coffee Good for Citrus Trees?
Ground coffee can be beneficial for citrus trees as it improves soil structure over time. Also, it contains important plant nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, copper and magnesium to make it grow healthy and strong.
Finally, it adds to the acidity of the soil, which citrus trees like.
This might sound good, but keep in mind that there’s a proper way to apply coffee grounds on your citrus plant, or it will do more harm than good.
Specifically, you’ll want to take away excess caffeine content by brewing it first then waiting a few months so the grounds naturally break down and have more nutrients.
You should also consider limiting the amount of grounds in consideration to your soil volume.
How to Use Coffee Grounds on Citrus Trees
The main concern in coffee grounds in citrus trees is the amount of caffeine the plant will be getting. A bit of it is fine but too much will kill the beneficial life such as pollinators and worms.
One way to reduce caffeine is to only apply grounds that have been used.
Alternatively, you can let the coffee decompose first in a bin for a few months before you put it in your plants and trees.
Letting it sit will reduce caffeine content, and the grounds will have added calcium and nitrogen, as well as trace elements that are good for your citrus tree.
Remember, you can’t use unbrewed coffee grounds as it will have too much caffeine content. You can apply it once you’ve used it up but it’s better to let it sit for a few months.
There is no special method to applying spent coffee grounds on your citrus tree. Sprinkle them around a foot or so away from the trunk, then cover with around half an inch or two of soil and water them in. The water helps deliver the nutrients to the roots and invigorate your tree.
How Much Coffee Grounds Should You Use on Your Citrus Tree?
Although generally considered beneficial for citrus trees, too much coffee grounds can be bad for them.
Putting some coffee grounds on your citrus tree will give it a boost of nutrients every now and then, but you shouldn’t put more than roughly 15 percent of your total soil volume.
This is especially important for potted citrus trees since they grow in a more limited environment compared to those planted in your yard or garden. You may want to check the soil’s pH level as well to monitor acidity levels.
If it’s already within the 6.0 to 7.0 range then you’ll want to hold off on the grounds.
You can start composting used coffee grounds during winter so it will be ready to use in spring. Otherwise, applying spent coffee grounds on citrus trees can be done anytime during the plant’s growing season.
Related Article: Are Coffee Grounds a Good Fertilizer for Orchids?