Quickly growing plant philodendrons are known because of their familiarity as home plants. However, while saying easy growing, you can’t avoid the necessity of its take-care, which includes growing it on a proper ground.
For making the ground more likeable for philodendrons, some people use coffee grounds in the soil. Additionally, the coffee grounds benefit the philodendrons in several ways.
Do philodendrons like coffee grounds?
Philodendrons like coffee grounds. Even the usage of coffee ground in the soil is advantageous for the Philodendrons or Philodendron Bipinnatifidum. The plant blooms, grows faster and becomes stronger in the coffee ground. This fact ratifies how favorable coffee ground is for the Philodendrons.
Philodendrons are fond of coffee grounds because it provides them with essential nutrients, which they need growing. Additionally, the coffee ground makes more flowers bloom, and thus it helps in the reproduction of the Philodendrons too.
Coffee grounds actually help in the overall life system of the Philodendrons. Therefore, Philodendrons like coffee grounds.
How to use coffee grounds for Philodendron plants?
Using coffee grounds for the Philodendron plants is very easy. At the same time, there are several different ways of using coffee grounds. Each has some merits and demerits for plants.
Direct application:
You can simply use the coffee grounds directly in the potting soil of your Philodendron. Thus, the plants will get the 100% acidity level of the coffee ground.
However, if your Philodendron can’t tolerate high acidity, you may avoid this method.
Mixing with water:
As an ideal approach, people use a half cup of water in half cup coffee grounds. Thus, the acidity level gets minimized and remains no longer harmful for Philodendrons.
It is a perfect method for acid-sensitive Philodendrons.
Diluting fertilizer method:
Instead of mixing the water with the coffee ground, this method uses the water with the soil. It is the same as diluting fertilizer in the soil. Though you don’t dissolve the coffee grounds directly in water, it minimizes the pH level of the ground overall.
Additionally, not all methods work for all plants. You have to pick the right one for your plant.
Benefits of using coffee grounds on Philodendrons:
Just as you mingle with your friends for favors of yours, Philodendrons also like coffee grounds because of the unique benefits they do.
The benefits of using coffee grounds on Philodendrons are mentioned below:
Help the plant grow faster:
As you know, water is the key element for a plant’s growth. Without water, plants can perish immediately. And the coffee grounds boost the retention of this precious element of your precocious Philodendron’s growth.
The more and faster water absorption yields the speedier growth of the plant. Besides, the absorbed water contains nutrients for plants, which also contributes to rapid development.
Blooming of flowers:
The coffee grounds fasten the flourishing of flowers too. That’s because the smell of coffee attracts more insects, which increases the chances of pollination. And more flowers bloom.
The flow of more nutrients because of coffee is another reason behind the flowers’ development in Philodendrons.
Strengthening the plant:
The Philodendrons have long stems and deep roots. And the coffee grounds strengthen the vein, stem and roots of Philodendrons. So it makes the parts of this plant not only strong but also flexible.
Since coffee grounds allow the plant to absorb the water properly, it excellently ensures the overall development of the Philodendron.
How often can you put coffee grounds on Philodendrons?
You can put one cup of coffee grounds once a week on Philodendrons. However, you should be meticulous about this measure. That’s because too much or too little use of coffee can obliterate the growth of the plant.
The only concern about using coffee grounds is the acidity level. If you use them frequently on Philodendron, this will increase the acidity of the soil.
As a result, the plants may perish. Additionally, too many coffee grounds in the soil can terminate beneficial worms for the plant.
On the other hand, too little usage will devoid the Philodendron of the advantages of coffee grounds. Therefore, you should observe the plant and then use coffee grounds.
Are Philodendrons acid-loving plants?
Philodendrons are acid-loving plants. Philodendrons thrive between 5.5 and 6.0 pH level soil. So, that is their optimum pH level. More or less pH can harm them and their development.
A plant that can tolerate acidity under six is considered an acid-loving plant. Since Philodendrons fall in this criteria, they are acid-loving. However, they can’t handle high acid levels.
So, you should keep their plotted soil at around six pH levels.
At the same time, by putting some coffee ground or other acidic materials, you should keep the environment a little acidic since that acid contributes to their growth.
What is the pH of a Philodendron?
The pH of a Philodendron is almost 6, which is similar to the pH they can tolerate. You will find this same pH at different parts of the Philodendrons. But this pH of Philodendron may change because of environmental influences and coping with adversities.
For example, if the pH of the soil increases highly, the Philodendron’s pH will also go up, which may harm them. On the contrary, in moments of insufficient sunlight, they increase their body pH.
In that way, they ensure their body mechanism at a certain pH level even in the absence of sun.
Though the pH may slightly fluctuate for the above reasons, you will find the pH of the Philodendrons similar.
How do I test the pH in my soil?
You can test the pH of your soil both with and without a pH kit. Since pH plays a significant role in the development of plants, you should know how to measure them. In that way, you can keep your plants in proper pH level soil.
You can use the below methods to test the pH in your soil:
Testing pH with a kit:
Testing the pH with a kit can tell you the exact measure of the pH of your ground. pH testing kits are also not hard to get. You can get those in any local shop.
For taking a sample of soil, use a shovel and dig between 4 and 6 inches deep. Remove the stones from the soil. Then, mix the soil with water and stir it well. Pour the soil mixture into another clean glass and dip the pH kit.
Finally, you can determine the pH by seeing the kit.
Testing pH without a kit:
Similarly, as with a kit method, take the soil sample and make sure to clean it. Add ½ cup vinegar in the soil and swirl a little. If you see bubbles popping up, you can be sure the soil is alkaline.
If not, you have to repeat the process, but with baking soda this time. Again, if you see fizzes in the solution, rest assured that the soil is acidic.
What kind of soil do Philodendrons like?
Philodendrons like well-drained, muddy and mossy soil. They also like coffee grounds in soil. Since water and coffee help grow these plants, Philodendrons develop 100% in such soil.
The wet drained soil is perfect for the plant’s nourishment. They grow fully with soil containing sphagnum peat moss. There are also soilless mixtures like peat-vermiculite or peat-perlite, which work for Philodendrons too.
Moreover, the Philodendrons like coffee grounds mixed in the soil they grow. It maintains their acidity level. All these materials together create an accurate environment for Philodendron’s growth.
What is the best fertilizer for Philodendron?
There are various applicable fertilizers for Philodendrons. However, you should be careful about when you use them on those plants. When you plant the split-leaf Philodendrons at home, they don’t require fertilizer.
As they grow ¼ pound, they become appropriate for applying fertilizers. At that time, you can use one of the five best fertilizers for them.
- EarthPods Premium Indoor Plant Food
- Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food
- Indoor Plant Food by Aquatic Arts
- EasyPeasy Liquid Indoor Plant Food
- Joyful Dirt Premium Concentrated All Purpose Organic Plant Food
Can coffee grounds damage plants?
Coffee grounds can damage plants unless used by mixing with water. Unfortunately, most coffee grounds are too acidic for plants to use directly. That’s why people use them indirectly with water.
Even high acidic plants like hollies, azaleas, and blueberries can’t tolerate exposure to active coffee grounds. Plants can’t absorb nutrients from soil if the soil is too acidic with coffee grounds. Then, even if you use many nutrients, it will come to no use for the plants.
Because of scant nutrients and inhibition in growth, the plants get damaged.
Is used coffee good for Philodendrons?
Used coffee is good for Philodendrons. They work as an alternative to fertilizer for them. Used coffee is sometimes even better than unused one for Philodendrons because they take away the acidity.
When you use your coffee, the acidity level of the coffee reduces. The burning or boiling of the coffee takes the acid elements away and makes the coffee suitable for the Philodendron.
Thus, when you use them directly on the ground, they don’t harm the plants, as the non-used coffee does. So, you can put used coffee in the Philodendron’s soil.
Home gardeners like you keep no stone unturned to turn the ground favorable for Philodendrons. On top of that, you gained knowledge of coffee grounds in the case of Philodendron’s growth and nourishment. So, you are one step ahead.
Go and add some coffee grounds for the Philodendrons, but be sure to remember the above facts about over-usage. Happy gardening!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can Philodendron Grow in Shade or Sun?
Can Philodendron Grow in Water?
Can Philodendron Grow Outside?