Generally speaking, eggshells are merely seen as scrap. You make your cake, scrambled eggs, or whatever, and just throw the shells away.
Did you know that eggshells contain some pretty handy nutrients for succulents? Are eggshells good for succulents for real?
In short, eggshells are very good for succulents. Not only do they have a healthy amount of calcium carbonate, which is important for the strengthening of the plant cell walls, they also include decent amounts of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.
So having some kind of eggshell storage box in your home is great practice if pretty much free plant fertilizer interests you.
Succulents don’t crave a certain type or amount of fertilizer but need the right soil to thrive. Consequently, the eggshell minerals can ultimately help moderate the soil’s acidity.
Thus keeping the pH levels where succulents can grow unchecked. In this article, we’ll go into the effect eggshells have on succulents and how to create your fertilizer.
We will also dig a bit deeper into the things you should consider before using them in your garden. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Table of Contents
Are Eggshells Good for Succulents?
Eggshells, when prepared correctly, make a great byproduct fertilizer for your succulent plants. They contain some handy essential minerals, including beneficial amounts of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate helps to increase the pH of acidic soils to the point where it becomes stable.
When it reaches around 6.8, it will stop having an effect and maintain that level. The calcium carbonate can also help the succulent use the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that it receives more efficiently. Furthermore, this mineral can also help to strengthen the plant’s cell walls.
Eggshells also contain smaller amounts of protein, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen regulates the use of the plant’s energy. It also helps to administer water and nutrients within the root system.
Phosphorus helps encourage a strong root system. Potassium is in charge of moving the water, nutrients and carbohydrates around within the plant tissue.
Benefits of Using Eggshells for Succulents
Using eggshells as a fertilizer in the right amounts can offer many benefits for a succulent plant. The beauty of them is that they are a free byproduct.
Simply collect them as you use your eggs in day-to-day life and create the fertilizer to enable you to apply it when needed. Let’s have a look at how eggshells can help your succulents thrive.
Minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, etc.)
Eggshells contain some pretty beneficial amounts of calcium carbonate (98.4%) as well as magnesium carbonate (0.9%) and calcium phosphate (0.7%).
These 3 minerals alone can help in several ways. Calcium carbonate is essential for building up and strengthening the walls of the plant’s cells.
It also helps neutralize acidic soil. If used correctly, it will bring the pH to approx 6.8 and keep it there. Magnesium helps with photosynthesis and keeps the plants green and healthy. Calcium phosphate assists with the movement of water and nutrients throughout the plant.
In addition to these larger quantities, 25 other minerals can all serve a purpose in smaller amounts. These include selenium, copper, zinc, molybdenum, sulfur, and silicon.
Works as a Good Fertilizer
As mentioned, the generous amounts of calcium carbonate assist in neutralizing the acidity present in the soil. Sometimes it’s difficult to have the perfect growing conditions or available growing medium.
Adding eggshell tea or fertilizer to your succulents can help the soil condition.
Kills Harmful Bacteria
According to studies completed by pubmed.gov, it has been revealed that heated eggshell powder (HESP) can contain smaller antimicrobial activity against some bacterial vegetative cells, fungi and bacterial spores.
If eggshells are prepared according to a strict method, you can use them to mitigate specific types of bacteria forming around your succulents.
How To Use Eggshells as Fertilizers for Succulents?
As we have discovered, eggshells can work wonders for your succulents in the form of fertilizer. You can sprinkle hand-crushed eggshells into the soil of your succulents, but the finer the shells are, the faster they will decompose and take effect.
Creating the fertilizer isn’t too difficult; it just takes time to collect enough of the shells. Let’s have a look at making a couple of different types.
Regardless of the type of fertilizer that you wish to create, there are some basic steps you need to take before you begin. These are:
- Collect around 10-20 eggshells (the more you have, the higher the potency of solution you will achieve.
- Clean the eggshells thoroughly. Try to remove any dirt and gunk from them.
- Dry the eggshells out by leaving them to sit on some paper towel until they are dry.
- Sterilize the eggshells by placing them on some baking paper and then in the oven at 200°F (93°C) for 30 minutes.
Making eggshell tea
Eggshell tea is a drink for your plants, but it is more like eggshell water. In this form, the minerals will instantly become available to the plants.
Once you have collected, washed, dried and sterilized your eggshells, it’s time to use them to create your eggshell tea.
- Crush the eggshells, so they are easier to extract nutrients from.
- Boil the eggshells and let them sit for a minimum of 24 hours. They will have ample time to infuse with the water during this time.
- Strain the eggshells away and add the water to a sealed bottle or jar
- When the time comes, pour the solution onto your succulent soil every 1-2 weeks and enjoy its benefits.
Making egg shell powder
Eggshell powder is slightly less effective than tea as the tea is in water form and can be soaked immediately. However, the powder is a little easier to store long-term.
Go through the same cleanup procedure as with making tea. Collect, clean, dry, sterilize, and crush them down into smaller chunks.
Then simply use a coffee or spice grinder to grind the shells into a fine powder. It is possible to use a blender if you don’t have a grinder. They won’t be as fine this way but will still work, albeit a little slower.
Once they are in powder form, add them into a sealable jar or unused spice shaker container. Use the powder every 1-2 weeks to give your succulents an extra nutrient boost!
How much egg shell powder to use for succulents?
The amount of eggshell tea or powder you should use isn’t set in stone. The eggshells aren’t extremely potent, and it’s difficult to see any negative effects unless used in excess for long periods.
Using 4-5 eggshells per succulent plant in your garden is optimal. When it comes to potted plants, you should reduce the number of eggshells to 2-3.
How to use eggshells in a pot for succulents?
If you don’t have the time or equipment to make tea or powder, you can always just hand crush the eggshells and add them under the plant as you pot it.
Build up a soil base you would use for potting succulents, and then sprinkle a layer of hand-crushed eggshells.
Add another thinner layer of your potting soil mix, then set in your succulent plant before securing the sides. The crushed eggshells will act like a slow-release fertilizer.
They need time to break down first, but once they do, they will give the plant some extra nutrients it otherwise wouldn’t have received.
Maintaining the succulents in eggshells?
Several conditions should be met when growing a succulent in conjunction with eggshells. They are as follows:
Proper sunlight
Allow your succulent 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, depending on the species. Planting them now will require some protection from the sun until they are completely established.
Watering schedule
There isn’t a general rule when it comes to watering your succulent. Some growers claim that every 14-21 days is a great frequency.
Ultimately, you should always check the moisture in the soil; once it goes dry 1 inch from the top, it’s a good idea to give it a drink. Try not to flood it; more so, keep it moist.
Fertilizer
Succulents don’t require much in the way of fertilization. You can purchase an all round 15-15-15 blend. Alternatively, other great choices include eggshell tea powder, manure tea, and/or diluted fish emulsion.
Soil conditions
Succulents need well-draining soil, or you risk rotting their roots with any moisture build-up. The best materials are generally sand, pumice, or perlite.
A pH of 5.5 is optimal, but anywhere between 4-6.5 is also ok for them to thrive.
Insects and bug repellant
Solutions such as rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), neem oil & home mixed soap mixtures are the best types of insect and bug deterrents.
Spraying any of these blends on the leaves of a succulent will help keep pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites away.
Proper cleaning
It’s always a good idea to remove any wilting and/or discoloured leaves as part of a maintenance routine. This will encourage new growth by allowing your succulent to expend more of its energy growing instead of trying to keep damaged limbs alive.
Additionally, aim to report your succulent every year. This way, you can clean out the potting mix, remove any dead debris, and upsize if the roots are starting to get too big for their potted home.
Things to Consider Before Using Eggshells For Succulents?
Before getting your hands dirty, there are, however, a few notable things to consider when using eggshells as a fertilizer for your succulent. Let’s have a look at those in a little more detail.
Here are some final thoughts needed before you go ahead and get started in the garden.
How often should you fertilize succulents with eggshells?
Succulents don’t normally require too much fertilizer, especially if grown in the right medium. This can include sand, pumice, or perlite. It won’t harm your succulents if you give them extra help here and there, as eggshells aren’t a harsh type of fertilizer.
Depending on the potency of the eggshell tea or powder you’re using, you can sprinkle/spread some around every 2 weeks, once a month or even once a year in the springtime if they don’t seem to require any help.
Can you put eggshells on top of the soil?
You can sprinkle or spread the eggshells on top of the soil but try to turn the soil over so they end up covered with at least an inch. That way, they won’t blow around and have something to bind to assist with their decomposing process.
Are boiled eggshells good for plants?
Boiled eggshells are a great little kick of nutrients for your plants, especially succulents. They contain over 90% calcium carbonate.
This helps strengthen plant cell walls and encourages a strong root system. It also assists in the uptake of other essential nutrients.
On a side note, boiling your eggshells before collecting them is the same process as boiling them afterwards. As long as they are boiled once during the process, they will be worthy of usage.
Are crushed eggshells good for plants?
Eggshells, in general, are a great extra source of calcium carbonate for your plants. Crushing them by hand and even into a fine powder makes it easier for the eggshells to be absorbed into the soil and, ultimately, by the plant.
The best way to crush them super fine is by using a coffee or spice grinder. A blender can be used but won’t leave them as fine as the other methods.
Do you have to rinse eggshells before composting?
Giving your eggshells a decent clean-up will reduce the risk of animals and bugs being attracted to them as they decompose in the compost. It will also minimize any disease or bacteria that can grow in rotting eggshells.
Can you put too many eggshells in compost?
In short, no! Eggshells are organic; composting is all about using organic materials to create wonderful plant food. If you did, however, have a ton of eggshells laying in your compost, all it will do is raise the pH to a certain point and then maintain that level.
It would take an extremely large amount of eggshells to do so, though. The average household wouldn’t have so many eggshells that this would become an issue.
Can I mix eggshells and coffee grounds?
Using a combination of both eggshells and coffee grounds does not pose an issue for plants. The eggshells help the plant soak in the nitrogen the coffee grounds add to your growing medium.
Too many eggshells are also ok, but having excess coffee grounds can become a problem. It can make the soil too acidic to the point where it becomes toxic to the plant, especially if the coffee grounds haven’t been carefully composted before using them.
Frequently Asked Questions (fAQs)
Do succulents like eggshells and coffee grounds?
Eggshells can assist a succulent in several ways. It helps strengthen the walls of the plant’s cells. It assists with the uptake of other important minerals such as nitrogen (which coffee grounds give). It also helps build a strong root system which, as a result, forms a strong plant. Lastly, eggshells neutralize soil acidity.
On the other hand, coffee grounds add much-regarded nitrogen to the soil, promoting strong stem growth. The stem is the backbone of the plant, so nitrogen is vital for the plant’s overall structure. Additionally, the grounds help to increase soil drainage and aeration.
How do you store eggshells for fertilizer?
Storing your eggshells after use is as simple as throwing them in an open container and leaving them in the fridge. It’s a good idea to give them a bit of a rinse first. If you have gone through the process of making either eggshell tea or powder, they can be stored in an airtight jar/container or a closable spice shaker, respectively. Keeping them in the dark, cool area will prolong their life.
Do eggshells attract rats?
The smell of eggshells can attract rats to your compost. It’s a good idea to clean them before throwing them in the compost to remove any membrane residue. Otherwise, you’ll have to call in the pied piper to get rid of them.
How long do ground eggshells last?
The storage methods will vary depending on how you have chosen to create your eggshell fertilizer. Making an eggshell tea will require an airtight container, and being a liquid, it would generally only last 2-3 weeks maximum. If you have ground the eggshells into a powder and added them into a closable spice shaker, you will get around 3 months of usage before it starts to go bad.
Conclusion:
Eggshells offer an amazing source of essential natural nutrients and minerals. These include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and many other trace minerals.
The beauty of using eggshells as a fertilizer is they are free! Well, you’d pay for them first, then instead of discarding them, you can turn them into tea or powder! It’s as simple as that.
We hope that this article has helped answer some questions you may have had regarding the use of eggshells with succulents!
