Do Roses Like Coffee Ground?

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Roses do like coffee grounds.

However, much like anything, it is important to give roses coffee grounds in small amounts to prevent damage and the potential of stunted growth.

Another commonly reported problem with an excess application is nitrogen burn caused by the nitrogen in the grounds, leading to the burning and possible death of your roses.

If you are trying this method, you can add the grounds to a compost pile close to the plant to let them absorb the nutrients gradually and provide extra benefits to the roses.

Coffee grounds may also be applied by spreading a thin layer onto the soil, as a natural fertilizer.

However, do not sprinkle them directly onto the roses or their root zone; this is what has the potential to cause nitrogen burn and subsequent death.

Type of rose	Do they like coffee grounds?
Desert rose	Yes
Mini rose	Yes
Rose bushes	Yes
Rose Sharon	Yes
Beach rose	Yes
Dog rose	Yes
‘Mr. Lincoln’ rose	Yes

Table of Contents

Benefits of coffee grounds for roses

Due to the fact that roses do enjoy a light sprinkling of coffee grounds, it is important to know why this is helpful and the benefits roses receive.

Below is a shortlist of the probable benefits of coffee grounds in your garden:

Ensure a healthy mixture of both carbon and nitrogen which promotes growth and added nutrients.
Improves and may cause the accelerated growth of roses.
Adds organic material to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer.
May attract earthworms– this is beneficial because the holes worms dig loosen the soil and allow for the roots to grow deeper from the surface. Earthworms also create their own fertilizer with their castings (feces).

Types of roses

As you know, there are many types of roses, but do they all enjoy coffee grounds? Below is a list of the most common types of roses and if they enjoy the presence of coffee grounds or not.

Desert rose

The Desert rose may thrive when kept with coffee grounds. Originating in Africa and the Middle East, desert roses are now native across the world. They are staples in desert and dry environments.

They can be distinguished by a thick bottom-like stump with either a singular or a bunch of light pink roses towards the top. Desert roses grow around 10-12 inches annually, making them one of the slowest growing rose plants.

Coffee grounds work for desert roses as they benefit from the compounds they add to the soil and the potential to drive bugs away, namely ants.

If ants are pestering your rose this may be because bees or other nectar-seeking insects are on the lookout for pollen and the ants are on the hunt for leftover honey. Coffee grounds may turn them away due to their strong smell and nitrogen-rich compounds.

three miniature rose plant flower on white background

Mini rose

Mini roses are able to be grown with coffee grounds. The mini rose, originating in Asia, is now commonly found anywhere from the west to the south around the world.

Used for commercial purposes, and sold in grocery stores, these roses are the offspring of two other underdeveloped roses found in Asia.

This rose is very small and thus requires more care, which may include the need for more water.

Mini roses are similar looking to standard roses, with long, vibrant, green stems, abundant, bright leaves, and bright buds of pink to bright red before the flowers open.

You can use coffee grounds with mini roses, but because they require more attention, the effects may be minimal as opposed to other species.

Rose bushes

Rose bushes appreciate the application of composted coffee grounds.

Rose bushes, also originating in Asia, have grown wildly popular across the world and can be found in most grocery stores, garden centers, and online plant stores.

They are well known for their elegant beauty and have acquired significant symbolism both spiritually and religiously.

These bushes can be easily distinguished by their height and width, tall, often thorny stems, vivid green leaves, and multi-petaled flowers in a myriad of hues.

Coffee grounds can be used to fertilize rose bushes, although they may have a similar effect as with miniature roses—they won’t exactly make them grow faster, but they will provide many nutrients to help the process and create a solid fertilizer.

Rose of Sharon

The rose of Sharon does enjoy coffee grounds. The rose of Sharon, first originating in China, has become native to India as well.

This landscape ornamental gets its name from the Greek word “mallow”. It is distinguished by its lettuce-like green leaves and the contrasting color shades within the flowers.

Colors include pinks, whites, and purples with either white, red, or purple in the center.

These shrubs benefits from coffee grounds applications. They create a dense fertilizer for the plant, leading to potentially expedited growth and increased nutrient levels.

Beach rose

The beach rose may enjoy coffee grounds. The beach rose originated in eastern Asia and is commonly found on beaches or in drier locations close to water.

The beach rose is known for its abundant thorny stems, bright green leaves, and magenta-pink, single-layered rose flowers with vibrant yellow stamens.

Coffee grounds benefit beach roses as a nutrient-filled fertilizer. However, as these roses are commonly found in the sandy soils of beaches, nutrient leaching is a constant problem.

Benefits may not be seen unless the sandy soils are amended with something to help hold fertilizers in place.

Dog rose

The dog rose may benefit from coffee grounds.

The Dog rose, originating in Europe is now popular around the world. The varieties can vary in height from 3-17 feet tall, making these roses perfect for gardens of all sizes.

They are known for elegant, single rose flowers similar to beach roses.

Coffee grounds are good for dog roses because they have the ability to lower the soil pH.

‘Mr. Lincoln’ rose

The ‘Mr. Lincoln’ rose may enjoy coffee grounds. This rose variety originated in the United States, taking its name from the famous sixteenth president.

‘Mr. Lincoln’ roses are grown across the world now and are distinguished by their deep, velvety-red flowers, bright green leaves, and long stems with simple thorns to complete the well-known image of a rose.

You can give these roses coffee grounds but only in moderation. They are high-maintenance plants, and can be fragile.

Too much nitrogen from the grounds may lead to stunted growth, burned leaves, and even the death of the plant. It is important to be careful if you are using coffee grounds with this rose.

Woman's hand crumbles coffee grounds into wooden bowl.

How many coffee grounds should you use for your roses?

It can be difficult to assess the right amount of coffee grounds to apply to your roses.

A basic guide is that you can mix about one gallon of water along with about 1 cup of coffee fresh grounds. Used coffee grounds no longer contain the levels of nutrients unbrewed grounds have.

You can use the water-grounds solution to irrigate and fertilize your roses at the same time.

Soil amendments that can be used for roses

We have now established that it is ok and even beneficial to use coffee grounds as a fertilizer and natural growth agent for roses. However, there are even more natural remedies to fix that wilting flower or make it last longer.

Below is a list of other natural amendments that can be used to aid in the growth and health of your roses!

Banana peels-contain potassium which is a great source of nutrients and minerals.
Eggshells– help enrich the soil with calcium and strengthen the plant’s cell tissues.
Compost-rich in moisture and nutrients from different produce, allow for this to seep into roots and create potential growth and add to the needed nutrients.
Alfalfa– rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals making this very beneficial in improving the soil. May cancel out nitrogen from coffee grounds if too much is used, and is said to stimulate growth in some cases.

Tips for growing roses naturally and successfully

Make sure to plant your roses where they receive ample sunlight, and have access to lots of water.
Pick a rose that has the ability to thrive in your area/climate.
Plant with care and take proper measures to keep it healthy.
Prune spent blossoms frequently to avoid overgrowth and stimulate new bud growth.

Special notes

It is important to apply coffee grounds in moderation only. Over-application may cause the death of your plants and could cause your entire garden, no matter the size, to be in jeopardy from an abundance of nitrogen.

Do Roses Like Coffee Ground?

Benefits of coffee grounds for roses