Did you know that one of the easiest ways to fertilize your houseplants is by using the leftover banana peels from your bananas?
Banana peels are more than just kitchen scraps, they are actually filled with a goldmine of nutrients. Nutrients that can help power and energize compost piles, vegetable plants and flowers. And yes – your houseplants too!
The peels of a banana are rich in potassium, phosphorus and calcium. But they also contain a long list of additional micro-nutrients that all work to recharge the soil (and your plants) with power and energy. And are they ever easy to use!
The Power Of Bananas – How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Houseplants
So why do bananas work so well to energize houseplants? For starters, the high levels of potassium in peels are a key nutrient for helping plants develop strong stems and promoting heavy flowering and fruiting. Potassium is also critical for overall plant health.
Meanwhile, the phosphorous in peels aids in root development and flowering as well. As for the calcium and magnesium, they help strengthen the cell walls of a plant and help keep it lush and green.
But what really makes banana peels perfect for fertilizing is how quickly they break down and give back their nutrients. Not only do peels decompose quickly (within days), the nutrients they release as they do are incredibly easy for plants to absorb.
Even better, the peels also add a tremendous amount of organic matter to the soil as they decay. Their fibrous make-up helps to add structure to potting soil – making it easier for the soil to absorb moisture and nutrients for the plants that grow in it.
As you will see below, you can actually use banana peels in two easy ways to power plants – either by simply chopping them up and putting them in the soil – or by soaking them in water to make a fertilizing tea!
How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Your Houseplants – For Free!
We will cover which houseplants do best with banana peel fertilizing in a moment – but let’s first take a look at the two methods you can use.
By far, the easiest way to use banana peels as a fertilizer is to chop them up into small pieces and put them on the soil around your houseplants. Although you can leave peels larger, this often will attract gnats. In addition, leaving them whole means it will take longer for the peels to decompose and give back nutrients to your plants.
If gnats are still a problem, you can also dehydrate the peels in your oven on a low setting and create a drier form of banana peel chips to put on your plants. When using chips or chopped peels, it’s always best to “bury” them a bit in the potting soil to keep pests away.
One benefit of using banana peels when it comes to pests is that they actually work well for repelling aphids and keeping them away!
Making Liquid Banana Peel Fertilizing Tea – How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Houseplants
Another great option for banana peels is to soak them in water to create a fertilizing tea. You can then use the tea to water your plants, energizing them in the process.
To make banana peel tea, simply soak the peels in water for 24 to 48 hours. As a good rule of thumb, soak three to four peels in one quart of water. Wide mouth 1 quart canning jars are ideal for this. Once the tea has been steeped, remove the peels (perfect for the compost pile) and you are ready to fertilize!
Use the tea to water your houseplants once a week. This method is especially helpful for flowering plants like African violets, anthuriums, and orchids. It is great for helping them produce more buds and develop their flowers.
Houseplants To Fertilize With Banana Peels – How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Houseplants
Not all houseplants need the same nutrients, but many thrive with the natural boost banana peels provide. As for how often to apply, 1 peel (or the equivalent of one peel chopped up) every two weeks is a good rule of thumb on a per plant basis.
Here is a short list of some of the most common plants that benefit from banana peels:
- Flowering Indoor Plants: African violets, orchids, anthuriums and peace lilies.
- Leafy Plants: pothos, philodendrons, snake plants and rubber plants.
- Herbs: If you grow herbs indoors, banana peels are great to power them up! Herbs such as basil, mint, oregano, chives and parsley all benefit from banana peels.
- Succulents: Succulents such as aloe vera and jade plants can benefit from banana peels, but need far less nutrients than most other houseplants. For this reason, apply 1 peel every other month.
Banana Peels In The Vegetable Garden – How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Houseplants
Just as they are inside for houseplant, banana peels are also a fantastic resource for your outdoor vegetable garden in the summer. Their nutrients can power a wide range of crops. Even better, as they decompose, they improve the overall health of the soil. Here are some of the best ways to use them in the garden:
Tomatoes thrive on potassium and calcium, making banana peels an ideal fertilizer. Just chop up banana peels and bury them at the base of tomato plants. They’ll help to prevent blossom-end rot and support healthy fruit development.
Banana peels are also great for root crops in the garden. They provide phosphorus, which is crucial for root development in carrots, beets and radishes. Just place a few strips of banana peels in your planting trenches before sowing seeds.
And whatever you do – don’t forget your cucumbers, pumpkins and melons too! The potassium in banana peels promotes flowering and fruiting in all of these crops. The best way to use is with banana peel tea. All you need to do is water the plants during their flowering stage with the tea.
In The Compost Bin – How To Use Banana Peels To Fertilize Houseplants
Last but not least, the compost bin is great for banana peels too. They decompose quickly and balance out carbon heavy materials such as dried leaves, grass and straw.
No matter where you use them, one thing is for sure, banana peels are a natural powerhouse. And one that can energize houseplants, flower gardens, vegetable gardens and compost piles too. Here is to using the power of bananas to fertilize your plants this year!
For more ways to use kitchen scraps to power plants – check out our article: Saving Egg Shells & Coffee Grounds – And How To Use Them To Power Plants & Soil For Free!
Simple Garden Life
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