7 Surprising and Natural Plant Fertilizers

What are some surprising plant fertilizers?

1. Milk
2. Eggshells
3. Grass clippings
4. Used water
5. Coffee
6. Vinegar
7. Banana peels

When you’re growing a garden, keeping your plants healthy is the ultimate goal, while having them bloom and spread is a bonus. To do both of these things, you want a good plant fertilizer that keeps your plants in top shape and even speeds their growth by giving them the nutrients they need to flourish.

But if you don’t want to spend on expensive artificial fertilizers, we don’t blame you! In fact, there are several surprising plant fertilizers you can find around your home that isn’t just cheaper, but they’re also all-natural!

Without further ado, let’s dive into this article on the surprising and natural plant fertilizers you can get right within your house!

Milk

The key to a good plant fertilizer is, put simply, organic matter. The good thing about organic matter is that it can come from a variety of sources, many of which we consume as food or even take for granted at home.

For example, you probably already know that milk is a good source of calcium and some other nutrients like vitamin B, proteins, and sugars. That’s what makes it great for humans and animals.

But what you might not have known is that milk was historically used as a remedy for unhealthy or dying plants as well. Those same nutrients that are present in milk do wonders for plant life.

Although if you don’t want to dump your brand-new carton of whole milk on your plants, we understand. You don’t have to. Still, if you have spoiled milk or even powdered milk at home and you want a plant remedy, you’ve got your answer right there.

Eggshells

Going back to what we said about organic matter, eggs also contain a lot of nutrients for both our bodies and those of our plants. Among them is—once again—calcium, as well as trace elements like nitrogen and phosphoric acid, which increase cell division and promote stronger and healthier plants.

You can simply crush the eggshells or even use them as no-waste seed starters or propagation pots. Also, have you ever seen those snake plants whose pointy tips are pierced through clean eggshells? Different method, same benefits!

Grass Clippings

Using plants to grow plants? Good thing there’s no such thing as cannibalism in the plant world (just another reason why plants are superior, but we digress).

You can use yard waste like grass clippings, leaves, and branches as compost or turn them into mulch. In fact, grass clippings returned to your lawn or garden can provide up to 25% of its total fertilizer needs!

Used Water

Used water may not be potable, but that’s not an issue for plants!

For example, water that’s been used to boil vegetables or stock makes an excellent fertilizer since it’s full of nutrients from these ingredients. So instead of pouring it down the drain, put it in a watering can and sprinkle it on your plants instead. This even works with aquarium freshwater, too!

Coffee

Use coffee grounds as fertilizer and see improved drainage, water retention, and aeration. Unwashed grounds are also good for acid-loving flowering plants as well as acid-loving herbs like thyme and rosemary, so feel free to compost that coffee!

If you don’t want to compost them, however, simply scattering them on top of the soil around your plants and watering them works, too! And as with milk, even leftover coffee that’s been diluted can serve as a good fertilizer to increase the acidity of the soil.

Vinegar

Oh, the wonders of vinegar for the home! While many people know that it’s good for cleaning, white vinegar is also a good organic herbicide while apple cider vinegar with 5% acidity can be used as fertilizer!

Just mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one gallon of water, and spray away—you’ll be boosting the plant’s defense mechanism and helping it fend off insects and microbes.

Banana Peels

As we know, bananas are a good source of potassium and phosphorus, making them great for the soil around your plants. It’s usually recommended that you cut them or their peels up into smaller pieces to be composed first, but you can also put them in a jar of water, let it sit for a week or so, and use that banana juice as liquid fertilizer. You can even just lay them on the ground to leach nutrients into the soil!

Key Takeaway

Now you know that fertilizer doesn’t have to be expensive or artificial. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way—and nature knows exactly what her plants need in order to be healthy and blooming.

So turn away from those chemical-laden fertilizers and opt for common ingredients around your home instead. Not only will you be making your plants healthier, but you’ll be lessening your carbon footprint at the same time!

For more plant care tips, check out the rest of our blog. And if you’re interested in purchasing an indoor plant or two for your home or garden, look no further than right here at Unbeleafable! Check out our shop today.