Would green tea hurt my houseplants?

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waxedout Tallahassee, FL(Zone 8b) Sep 18, 2007

I have quite a windowsill garden in my office. I drink green tea quite often. Rather than dump my leftover green tea in the sink, could I dump it into one of my larger houseplants? I'm talking about just a small amount, never more than 1/4 - 1/2 a cup. I'd just rather reuse than throw away, when I can.

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plantladylin (Zone 1) Sep 18, 2007

I wouldn't think there's anything in the green tea that could harm plants .... I would dilute it with more water and give it a test run on maybe one or two plants that you don't mind being "guinea pigs". If you do decide to try it, please keep us posted with the results!

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GrowHappy Nottingham, MD(Zone 7a) Sep 19, 2007

I'd love to know the results as well!

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Nan SW, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 19, 2007

I, too, think it would be OK as long as there is no sweetener (honey, sugar, etc..) added.
Are you referring to fresh brewed green tea or the bottled type?
I definitely would NOT add the bottled type.

It's said that brewed Chamomile tea has great antifungal properties for plants.

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plantladylin (Zone 1) Sep 19, 2007

Good save Nan ... I didn't even think of the possiblilty of sweetner's, artificial or otherwise!

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andidandi Sep 19, 2007

I also use Chamomille to water without any negative impact.

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twohawk Blanco, TX(Zone 9a) Sep 19, 2007

I have read that the tannic acid in tea is good for ferns, adenia,
azalea- wouldn't want to give it to plants that don't like acidic soil, but it
sounds like such a small bit, specially if you dilute it.

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waxedout Tallahassee, FL(Zone 8b) Sep 20, 2007

I drink straight Japanese sencha with no sweetener. I'll try and let ya'll know!
Thanks

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Nan SW, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 20, 2007

This will be quite interesting....yes, please do let us know.
If it's supposed to be good for our bodies, you'd think it would also be good for plants, especially since it is brewed from a plant!

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sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) Sep 29, 2007

may I ask, what's the concern if it's sweetened?

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WUVIE Hulbert, OK(Zone 7a) Sep 29, 2007

A self-confessed tea addict, I have tea with me at all times, rarely
without a glass. I've been dumping the remainder of my unsweetened
tea into plants for years, and have never noticed anything other than
growth. LOL.

Sweetened tea in your plants? Here's an interesting read:

http://www.growingedge.com/community/archive/read.php3?c=IN&q=777

Karen Marie

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