‘I hope you guys enjoy these as much the second time as I did the first time’ I thought to myself as I scattered used coffee grounds for the garden.  The ‘you guys’ is of course our plants (today’s lucky recipient was our raspberry bushes) and no, I didn’t think they could hear me.  Or my thoughts.  But, hey, I enjoyed our Guatemala Huehue the first time, and I knew those little raspberry bushes could benefit the second time. 

Some mornings I dump our old coffee grounds into the compost, some scattered across the garden or the easiest way to re-use and reduce waste, just scattering them across our yard.  The good news is there’s several easy ways to reuse used coffee grounds that can help your garden or other plants. 

This guide will walk you through:

• How coffee grounds help your soil
• The best ways to use them (without overdoing it)
• Which plants love them — and which don’t
• Simple, sustainable ways to reduce waste

Because great coffee doesn’t end in your cup. It keeps giving.

Why Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden?

Let’s keep it simple — coffee grounds are packed with nutrients your soil loves.

Used coffee grounds contain:

• Nitrogen (great for plant growth)
• Small amounts of phosphorus and potassium
• Organic matter that improves soil structure – more on this later

But beyond nutrients, they do something even more important…

They Feed Your Soil, Not Just Your Plants

Healthy gardens start with healthy soil (just like growing good coffee beans starts with good soil!)

Coffee grounds help:

• Improve soil texture by helping to loosen soil when mixed in
• Support beneficial microbes – worms are smarter than they look, they like coffee too.  Well, they are attracted to the coffee grounds and in turn, those little garden helpers also help to loosen the soil.
• Increase water retention

And when you’re using Organic coffee, you’re avoiding synthetic chemicals — keeping your garden as clean and natural as your morning brew.

That’s a win all around.

6 Smart Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

Let’s break this down into practical, easy-to-use steps you can start today.

1. Add Coffee Grounds to Compost

Great place to start if you have a compost area! 

Coffee grounds are considered a “green” compost material (rich in nitrogen). When balanced with “brown” materials like leaves or cardboard, they create nutrient-rich compost your garden will love.

How to do it:

• Add used grounds to your compost pile
• Mix with dry materials (leaves, paper, straw)
• Keep it balanced (about 50/50 green to brown)

Over time, this turns into rich, dark compost that improves your entire garden.  Just remember to turn regularly and you’ll have some black gold to help enrich your garden soil!

2. Use as a Soil Amendment

You can mix coffee grounds directly into the soil, just don’t overdo it.

Best practice:

• Mix lightly into the top few inches of soil
• Keep it to about 10–20% of total soil volume if using in containers

Why?

Because too many coffee grounds can:

• Compact the soil
• Limit airflow
• Hold too much moisture

Since coffee grounds will retain moisture, if they’re not spread out or applied thinly, they can begin to clump due to moisture and have the opposite effect, which results in a negative for your garden or soil. 

3. Mulch (With a Twist)

Coffee grounds can be used as mulch, but not on their own. 

Used alone, they can form a crust that blocks water, especially when applied too thick. 

Instead:

• Mix with wood chips, leaves, or straw
• Spread around plants in a thin layer

This helps:

• Retain moisture
• Suppress weeds
• Slowly feed the soil

4. Natural Pest Deterrent for Some

You’ll hear that coffee grounds repel pests like slugs and ants.  Slugs dislike the rough surface, and the coffee grounds may disrupt the ants scent trails they used to travel.

Again, not a guarantee but often a deterrent. 

Still, it’s worth trying:

• Sprinkle around plants prone to pests
• Reapply after rain

At worst? You’re adding organic matter to your soil.

At best? You’re protecting your plants naturally.

5. Feed Your Worm Bin 

If you compost with worms (vermicomposting), coffee grounds are a great addition.

Worms love them — in moderation.

Tips:

• Add small amounts at a time
• Mix with other food scraps
• Avoid overloading

Healthy worms = healthy compost = better plants.

6. Liquid Fertilizer (Coffee “Tea”)

You can steep used grounds in water to create a mild fertilizer. 

How to make it:

• Add 1–2 cups of used grounds to a bucket of water
• Let sit overnight
• Use to water plants

It’s gentle, natural, and easy — just like good coffee should be.

Which Plants Like Coffee Grounds?

Some plants respond especially well to coffee grounds.

Plants That Tend to Thrive

These plants enjoy slightly acidic soil:

• Tomatoes
• Blueberries
• Roses
• Hydrangeas
• Azaleas
• Carrots

They benefit from:

• Improved soil structure
• Slow-release nutrients
• Slight acidity

Which Plants Don’t Love Coffee Grounds?

Not every plant is a fan.

Avoid heavy use around:

• Succulents
• Cacti
• Plants that prefer dry soil

Too much moisture + dense soil = unhappy plants.

Are Coffee Grounds Acidic?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions.

Used coffee grounds are NOT highly acidic.

Most of the acidity is extracted during brewing.

So, while they can slightly influence soil pH over time, they’re generally close to neutral and safe for most garden use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Used Coffee Grounds

Let’s keep your garden thriving by avoiding a few simple pitfalls.

Using Too Much

More is not better.

Too many grounds can:

• Block airflow
• Hold excess water & cause clumping in soil
• Slow plant growth

Applying in Thick Layers

This creates a barrier that prevents water from reaching roots.

Always mix coffee grounds into soil or mulch or spread thin.

Skipping Composting

Direct use is fine — but composting first is better.

It creates a more balanced, plant-friendly material.

Coffee Grounds + Sustainability

This is where things come full circle.

When you reuse coffee grounds, you’re:

• Reducing waste
• Supporting sustainable practices
• Getting more value from your coffee

And when your coffee is:

• Organic
• Fairtrade certified

…it means every step — from farm to garden — is rooted in doing things in a way that helps others and helps steward the world we live in.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, that’s what we’re all about.  Making today a good day and in turn, tomorrow a better tomorrow.

From Farm to Cup… to Garden

Coffee has a story.

It starts with farmers growing beans with care.
It continues with roasting that brings out natural flavor without artificial flavors.
And it can end — or continue — in your garden.

That’s a full-circle system:

• Better farming
• Better coffee
• Better soil

Great coffee that helps others and helps this earth we call home.  That’s a lot of good from a cup of coffee. 

How This Fits Your Daily Routine

Here’s the best part — this doesn’t add work to your day.

It fits right into what you’re already doing.

Your new simple habit:

1. Brew your coffee
2. Save the grounds
3. Add to compost or garden

That’s it.

A small change… that makes a real difference.

Bonus – even easier if you don’t have a garden or compost, just scatter across your lawn.  Another easy way to reduce waste.  Just don’t rush it and scatter it across your kitchen floor on your way out the door.  Take it from my experience, much better to scatter across your yard than spill and scatter across your kitchen. 

Pro Tip: Pair This with Better Coffee at Home

If you care about what goes into your garden, it makes sense to care about what goes into your cup.

Better beans = better grounds.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters:

• We offer Organic, Fairtrade coffee
• We roast in small batches for real flavor
• We skip artificial additives entirely

So, when you reuse your grounds, you’re starting with something clean and natural — exactly what your soil wants.  And what you deserve. 

FAQ: Coffee Grounds Garden Use

Can I put coffee grounds directly on plants?

Yes — but lightly. Mix into soil or combine with mulch for best results.

How often should I add coffee grounds?

Once every 1–2 weeks is plenty. Think moderation.

Do coffee grounds attract bugs?

Not typically. In some cases, they may help deter pests like slugs and ants.

Can I use coffee grounds for indoor plants?

Yes — but use very small amounts and mix well into soil.

Are coffee filters compostable too?

Most paper filters are! Just tear them up and add to compost.  Or use a reusable filter. 

The Bottom Line: Small Changes, Big Impact

Using coffee grounds in your garden is one of the easiest ways to:

• Improve your soil
• Reduce waste
• Live a little more sustainably

It’s not complicated.

It’s not expensive.

It’s just being a little more intentional with something you already love.

And that’s what we’re all about.

Final Sips on Used Coffee Grounds and Your Garden

Next time you brew your morning coffee, don’t toss those grounds (unless you’re tossing them onto your lawn).

Put them to work.

Grow something. Improve your soil. Do a little good.

And if you ever want coffee that:

• Tastes incredible
• Supports farmers
• Helps you start your day right

We’re here for that too.

Explore our Organic, Fairtrade coffee lineup anytime.  And if you want to keep it even easier and never risk running out of coffee, try a subscription. 

From the farms, to our roaster to your routine — and now your garden —
let’s make today a good one.

Philly Fairtrade roasters is a USDA certified Organic facility via PCO as well as Fairtrade USA compliant.  Philly Fairtrade specializes in small batch roasted coffee, ethically sourced and expertly roasted.  Learn more about Philly Fairtrade Roasters.