Jade plants are succulents that prefer dry, well-draining soil, so directly adding coffee grounds is generally not recommended as it can retain moisture, compact the soil, and potentially lead to root rot, despite some reports of benefits from diluted coffee or used grounds. While some people have success using very diluted coffee as a occasional "tea" or adding composted grounds, the acidity and moisture retention of coffee can harm the delicate, drought-loving roots of a jade plant, which prefers neutral soil.
Although coffee grounds can improve soil drainage for some plants, jade plants prefer their soil on the dry side, and coffee grounds tend to retain moisture in the soil. Also, coffee grounds are acidic, while jade plants prefer neutral or only slightly acidic soil.
Jade plants have a hankering for a balanced diet. They're not picky eaters, but they do have a preference for a well-balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10. That's nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in equal parts. Nitrogen is the life of the party, promoting vibrant, green leaf growth.
Watering Jade Plants
To mimic these conditions in your very own home, make sure to water your plant deeply, and wait until the soil's surface is dry before watering the plant again. If you notice shriveled leaves and limp stems on your plant, it's a sign you've waited too long to water.
5 Indoor Plants That Thrive with Coffee Grounds
It is important to check what plants like coffee grounds before using them in your garden. Some examples of plants that may not tolerate coffee grounds include christmas cactus, fruiting plants, and flowering shrubs.
Can I use fresh coffee grounds on my houseplants? No, it's strongly advised to only use used coffee grounds that have been thoroughly dried. Fresh grounds are too acidic and contain too much caffeine, which can harm your plants.
Water the jade plant only when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering is very dangerous to the plant, so be sure to pour off any excess pooling. Use fertilizer sparingly on jade plants, and only when there are signs of growth.
How to Grow and Care for Jade Plants
One major jade plant benefit is the plant's longevity. With proper care, jade plants can live between 50 and 70 years—sometimes even longer. Because of this, they're often passed down generationally.
Compost tea, created by steeping compost in water, yields a nutrient-rich liquid that can be directly applied to the soil around the plant. Banana peels, a potassium-rich source, can be finely chopped and buried to provide essential nutrients.
Try giving less (or no) fertilizer, less frequent water, and more bright sunlight. Jades get that nice thick tree trunk when they grow slowly in bright light. If the stalks can't stand up on their own, it will be smart to plant a few cuttings as a backup plan.
Feed your jade plant twice a year with vermicompost or homemade compost. For an extra nutrient boost, here's an easy DIY fertilizer: In 5 liters of water, add 1 teaspoon of coffee powder (for potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and 1 teaspoon of chalk powder.
Plants that dislike coffee grounds are generally those preferring alkaline soil, like lavender, rosemary, thyme, and asparagus, or moisture-sensitive types like succulents, cacti, and orchids, as grounds can create acidity, retain too much moisture, attract mold, and compact soil, inhibiting growth. Other vegetables like spinach, cabbage, and peppers, plus young seedlings, should also avoid them.
Provide a well-drained soil away from reflected heat. Once established, water infrequently during the hot season. Ideal in warm climate landscapes and container gardens. This plant is especially happy sitting on your windowsill as a houseplant.
Light. In their natural habitats, they grow in dry but very sunny sites. Jade plants enjoy a sunny, southern exposure but do not move plants from subdued lighting into a full sun situation. Instead, gradually expose them to brighter light so leaves will not get sunburn.
Sugar won't be needed when the plants are developing, and they appear lush, green, and strong. As mentioned above, you might do more harm than good — the roots will get clogged, and you will disrupt the water intake that the plant has already established for itself.
To encourage bloom, withhold water in the fall and keep plants under cool conditions (around 55˚F), especially at night. Keep plants in an area that will not receive any supplemental light so the natural shortening days of the season will trigger flower initiation.
You can tell your jade plant is happy when the edges of the leaves turn red.
If your jade plant has bacterial soft rot, cut off the affected parts using a blade dipped in a bleach solution, and discard the affected areas. Use a solution of Phyton 27 to treat the surviving parts of the plant, and repot in fresh, clean soil.
The best place to put a jade plant in your home is a bright location with indirect sunlight, such as near a south- or east-facing window. Correct placement supports compact growth, healthy leaves, and long-term stability while preventing issues such as leggy stems or leaf drop.
Plants that are “nutrient-hungry” and prefer slightly acidic soil do well with used coffee grounds added to the topsoil. For instance, Snake Plants, Philodendrons, the Peace Lily, Pothos, Palms, the Jade Plant, and the Money Tree are coffee-loving plants.
Do not sprinkle more than a thin layer around your plants, or the coffee grounds can become impenetrable, preventing water from getting into the soil. If you evenly sprinkle coffee grounds around the plants once a week or so, the amount will likely be okay.
Garden Plants That Like Coffee Grounds