You may be wondering if you can put eggshells in potted plants. I researched the advantages and disadvantages so you don’t have to!
The short answer is yes. Eggshells can be an excellent source of calcium for most types of houseplants and outdoor container gardens. They provide a slow-release form of the element which can help plants to grow stronger and healthier.
But putting eggshells in your potted plants can also harm them. Read on to find out more about how to use eggshells in potted plants.
Benefits of putting eggshells in potted plants
The best time to add eggshells is when you are doing a plant’s regular feeding. It can be sprinkled right on top just like any other fertilizing method or mixed into your soil before putting it in.
You can also put eggshells in your compost bin so they can break down naturally, releasing their nutrients throughout the soil over time. Slower-released elements are usually better for plants than quick bursts because they provide a steady source of nutrition to them and can help prevent plant shock when you introduce fertilizers into an area where it has never been used before.
Anyone can benefit from using eggshells as a source of calcium for their plants, but people who have container gardens on balconies or decks can especially benefit because they may not always have access to natural sources of the element. In addition, some types of fertilizers can be too strong and damage your garden which is why it can be a good idea to use eggshells as an alternative.
Disadvantages of putting eggshells in potted plants
Eggshells may seem like a viable option for gardeners with limited soils, but they contain very few minerals. The main ingredient is calcium which can be taken up by plants. But it takes much more than this to make an impactful difference.
Eggshells also have some sodium which can damage plants at even low levels so you can’t rely on them as your sole source of fertilizer.
While eggshells can help improve the health and appearance of certain plants, they can also do more harm than good to others. They are acidic which means that you should never put them in the soil if it is alkaline or neutral because this will cause a chemical reaction where the plant can’t absorb any of the good nutrients in your soil.
This can be a problem for some potted plants so it’s important to find out what kind they are before adding eggshells around them or trying to change their pH level with fertilizers. You can typically tell if you have alkaline soil because it has a bitter, salty taste.
If you can’t tell, use caution and start small. Mix some eggshells into the soil around one plant at a time to see how they react before adding more or mixing them with other fertilizers.
Another potential drawback is that eggshells can attract animals like mice and rats that may want to eat them or dig through your garden and soil looking for more food. It can be particularly bad if you put them in an area where your children or pets can access the soil because they can get sick from eating too much of it.
Which plants like eggshells?
It can be a good idea to add eggshells in general if you have mixed containers because they can work well with most plants. Even though it’s not the best option for every plant, adding small amounts of crushed eggshells can make your garden more resilient and improve its health overall.
For example, roses like calcium so putting some eggshells in can help them grow stronger and produce more flowers.
You can also use eggshells if you have an avocado tree because they can put up with acidic soil which can be changed by the addition of crushed shells.
Here is a list of plants that like eggshells:
- tomatoes
- peppers
- eggplants
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- spinach
- amaranth
Additional calcium can not only improve the health of these plants but can also make them grow bigger and produce more fruit.
However, you should avoid putting eggshells in your compost pile if you have any citrus trees because they can be highly acidic which can damage their roots over time. These include oranges, lemons, and limes so it’s best to use other sources of calcium instead.
How to use eggshells in potted plants?
The best way to add crushed eggshells into your soil is by using a sifter and mixing it with the top layer of dirt so that you can’t see or feel it when you touch the surface. You can also just put them on top of the mound when you’re filling your container with soil.
If you can’t tell if plants are absorbing the calcium, put some eggshells in water and leave it for a few hours. Use a syringe or dropper to feed them. If they start to absorb any of this mixture then that means they can benefit from having more inside their potting mix.
If you can’t use eggshells in your garden, another good option is to buy organic fertilizer which can sometimes be found at pet stores. It’s not quite as effective since it won’t contain any calcium but it can still improve the health of certain plants like roses and bonsai trees. The best way to choose one that will work for your garden is by reading the ingredients list and looking at how much calcium is in each serving.
Eggshells can be beneficial to some potted plants but can also cause damage to others so you should always do research before adding them yourself or mixing with other fertilizers. They can work well for certain types of flowers like roses which can benefit from a boost of calcium.
Final thoughts
You can put eggshells in your potted plants, but you need to be careful. Eggshells are a great source of calcium for most types of houseplants and outdoor container gardens. They provide a slow-release form of calcium which can help plants grow stronger and healthier. But it’s important not to add too much because this could harm your plant!
Eggshells can be used as a long-lasting and natural fertilizer for your plants. Plant experts recommend using eggshells because they release their nutrients over time, providing steady nutrition to the plant without shocking it with quick bursts of fertilizing elements that could damage its delicate system.
If you’re struggling to find a good fertilizer for your garden, eggshells may seem like an easy solution. But they can actually do more harm than good if not used correctly. Eggshells are high in calcium which is beneficial for some plants but harmful to others. They also have sodium that can be damaging even at low levels so it’s important not to rely on them as the sole source of fertilizer for your plants.
