November 12, 2008
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Tea leaves for houseplants ….. was Another advantage of drinking tea.
Is it proven that tea leaves help plants grow?
This is great!
Proven, as in scientifically tested by some university’s AG dept? No idea. But while tea leaves are good for some plants, the technique does not necessarily work on every plant under every condition.
Our begonia, which has been getting a more or less steady diet of tea leaves and leftover tea liquid for almost 15 years, is very large and very healthy, and I’m convinced it’s the tea that did it. When I put tea leaves on the avocado, tho’, the poor tree’s leaves started drooping and dropping. The azaleas perked up after mulching with tea leaves, but the same leaves almost killed the jasmine.
Might have something to do with the acid/alkaline requirements of each plant. Might be something else again.
Another point to consider is that in some environments the damp leaves will mildew and mould, which is not healthy for either the plant or for the people and animals in the household.
If tea works on your plants, by all means use it! But watch your plants’ reactions, and discontinue if it appears to be doing more harm than good.
