Eco-friendly Plant Hacks: Repurposing Food Scraps

Living sustainably doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul—sometimes, it just means rethinking your trash. Believe it or not, your kitchen is full of plant-friendly nutrients that can easily replace store-bought fertilizers. Below, we’re sharing simple, eco-friendly hacks to reuse common food scraps and give your houseplants the organic love they deserve.

☕️ Coffee grounds & tea leaves. Used coffee grounds and loose tea leaves are rich in nitrogen, a nutrient essential for leafy green growth. Sprinkle them directly onto your soil or mix them into your potting blend for a slow-release fertilizer your plants will love. Just don’t overdo it—too much caffeine isn’t great for anyone.

🍌 Banana peels. Banana peels are packed with potassium and phosphorus, both of which promote root development and flower production. Boil the peels into a DIY fertilizer tea or chop them up and bury them in your soil. Bonus: it makes you look like a very serious plant person.

🥚 Egg or oyster shells. Crushed shells are a great way to add calcium, which supports strong cell walls and helps prevent issues like blossom-end rot. No time to crush? Use the water you boiled them in (once it’s cool) for a gentle, mineral-rich soak on watering day.

🍊 Citrus peels. Got a pet that loves snacking on your pothos? Rub orange, lemon, or lime peels along the rims of your pots or sprinkle small pieces onto the soil. Most pets hate the smell, and your plants stay safe and stylish.

🥜 Nut shells as mulch. Crushed peanut, pistachio, or walnut shells help mimic mulch by improving drainage, aeration, and moisture retention. Just make sure the shells are unsalted and broken into smaller bits to prevent mold.

🥗 Vegetable cooking water. Next time you boil veggies, save that water! Once it cools, use it to water your plants. It’s full of leached vitamins and minerals—aka free, all-natural plant food. Just avoid salted water (plants prefer their food unseasoned).

Small swaps make a big difference. By turning food scraps into fertilizer, you’re cutting back on waste, nourishing your plants, and doing the planet a solid. Got a food scrap you’re wondering about? Email us at hello@rootedbrooklyn.com and we’ll let you know if it’s compost gold or a no-go.