Tea is much more than just a comforting beverage. It’s also a natural powerhouse ingredient to use in your garden. Whether sprayed on your plants’ leaves or added to your soil, tea and used tea leaves bring myriad benefits to help your plants thrive and look extra lush.
Natural pest repellent
From black, to green, to oolong—tea leaves can be used as a natural pest repellent. They are effective against a number of pests like ants, spiders, mites and snails. Simply bury tea leaves around your plants and let them work their magic. To enhance the potency of this natural pest-control, consider adding some mint leaves or bruised clove buds to the mix.
There is anecdotal evidence that you can use tea leaves and tea to deter those that hate the smell – mice, cats and some insects – by either scattering the leaves around the roots of the plant or by spraying cooled tea on to the plant.
A natural boost of nutrient for plants
When added to your garden soil, tea leaves release nitrogen which helps balance out any carbon-rich materials that may be present. It also improves drainage and adds to soil structure.
Tea contains tannic acid and nitrogen which can increase the soil’s fertility. Using leftover tea to water your plants is an excellent way to keep them nourished, hydrated, and to keep their soil well fertilized. Tea also contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc. All these vital nutrients are essential to the health and growth of plants. Tea is a natural fertilizer.
The following plant families have a 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, Tomatoes, most vegetables, most herbs, and many flowers.
However, some plants should not be watered with tea. The following are the top 15 that hate tea: Baby’s breath, Boston ivy, Cactus, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Daisies, Geraniums, Hibiscus, Hydrangeas (pink), Iris, Marigolds, Peonies, Poppies and Sunflowers
Although any type of brewed tea, including green tea, black tea and herbal tea blends can be used for watering plants and fertilizing soil, it should be noted that any tea which has been sweetened with sugar or other sweetener is not suitable for watering plants. Used tea of any kind, whether watered down or left out for some time, is good for plants. Here are some tips:
Raw tea leaves contain high amounts of nitrogen as well as trace amounts of other essential and can be an excellent of nutrients to various types of plants including tropical plants, house plants, and garden vegetables.
Green tea in liquid form is as healthy and beneficial for plants as other teas. Raw green tea leaves are used for plants, inside and out. Roses, ornamental bushes, blueberries, and tomatoes benefit the most from it.
Black tea contains a range of nutrients that can benefit plants. It can be applied to plants either as brewed tea, or dried and ground up. It’s effective for a broad range of plants, including tropical plants, houseplants, and vegetables.
Brewing tea for your plants
One popular method for brewing tea for your plants is to brew the tea, let it steep overnight, then use it the following day to water your plants just as you would with plain water.
Using tea leaves on your plants
There are several ways to apply tea leaves to your plants. For example,
- Lay leaves on the soil near the base of the plant.
- Add leave to your compost and use the resulting organic compost to amend our plant’s soil.
- Mix the leaves with leftover tea and use the mixture to water your plants regularly.
Protect plants from fungus
Tea can be used to prevent and treat fungal disease some plants can suffer from. Use leftover steeped leaves to brew a weak tea. Once cooled, add the tea to a spray bottle and spray your plants. Chamomile and black tea leaves work wonders on cleaning up fungal infection.
Speed up composting
When added to compost, the naturally acidic tea leaves boost nitrogen levels which helps break down other organic materials in your pile and encourages decomposing bacteria. You can add them as loose leaves or in bags– as long as the bags are paper and don’t have staples or string attached to them.
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