Lavender may look delicate, but this fragrant favorite loves a good kitchen castoff. That’s right—what you toss in the trash could be the secret to bigger, bolder blooms. From banana peels to coffee grounds, these 16 surprising scraps are packed with nutrients that turn ordinary lavender into a summer showstopper.
Forget pricey fertilizers—your pantry already holds the key to flower power. Let’s dig into the delicious (and dirt-friendly) details!
1. Eggshells for Calcium Boost
Crushed eggshells work wonders for lavender plants by providing calcium that strengthens cell walls and promotes robust flowering. After breakfast, rinse your shells, let them dry, then crush them into a fine powder.
Sprinkle this calcium-rich powder around the base of your lavender plants once a month. The slow-release calcium helps prevent blossom end rot and creates stronger stems that can support more flowers.
For best results, work the eggshell powder gently into the soil’s top layer, being careful not to disturb the shallow roots of your lavender plants.
2. Coffee Grounds Magic
Morning coffee ritual leftovers create flowering magic in lavender beds. Used coffee grounds add nitrogen to the soil while slightly increasing acidity, creating ideal growing conditions for lavender to produce abundant blooms.
Sprinkle a thin layer of dried coffee grounds around your plants monthly during growing season. The grounds also repel slugs and snails that might damage your precious lavender.
As an added bonus, coffee grounds improve soil drainage – exactly what lavender needs to thrive and produce those gorgeous purple spikes that attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.
3. Banana Peel Prosperity
Yellow banana peels pack a potassium punch that triggers lavender’s flowering response. Cut peels into small pieces and bury them just below the soil surface around your plants – they’ll decompose quickly while releasing nutrients.
The potassium from banana peels strengthens plant cells and helps regulate water movement, making your lavender more drought-resistant and ready to produce abundant flowers even during hot summer months.
For an easy alternative, soak chopped peels in water for three days, then use this homemade banana tea to water your lavender plants weekly during the growing season.
4. Citrus Peel Surprise
Orange, lemon, and grapefruit peels contain natural oils that lavender absolutely loves. Chop these colorful rinds into small pieces and mix them into your compost or directly into the soil around your plants.
The citrus peels break down slowly, releasing essential oils that deter many common garden pests while providing nutrients that boost flowering. Their acidic nature helps maintain the slightly alkaline soil that lavender prefers.
Many gardeners swear by the increased fragrance in lavender flowers after using citrus peels as a natural amendment. Just make sure to chop them small for faster decomposition.
5. Onion Skin Elixir
Those papery onion skins you normally throw away? They’re packed with quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that helps lavender plants fight off disease and produce more flowers.
Collect your onion skins in a jar, then steep them in boiling water overnight to make a nutrient-rich tea. Once cooled, water your lavender plants with this golden elixir once every two weeks during growing season.
Garden veterans report that onion skin tea not only increases flowering but also enhances the aromatic oils in lavender, making the scent more pronounced when the blooms finally appear.
6. Potato Water Wonder
Next time you boil potatoes, don’t pour that starchy water down the drain! Let it cool completely and use it to water your lavender plants instead.
Potato water contains valuable minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium – all essential nutrients that stimulate flower production in lavender. The starch also feeds beneficial soil microbes that help your plants absorb nutrients more effectively.
Apply this nutrient-rich water once every two weeks during the growing season, and you’ll likely see an increase in both the number and size of lavender flower spikes by mid-summer.
7. Tea Bag Treasures
Used tea bags work like magic for lavender plants! The spent leaves contain tannic acid and nitrogen that stimulate healthy growth and abundant flowering. Simply open up used tea bags and sprinkle the wet leaves around your plants.
Green tea leaves are especially beneficial as they contain more nitrogen than black tea. This gentle nitrogen boost encourages lavender to produce more flower stems without the risk of burning that comes with chemical fertilizers.
For an extra flowering boost, bury whole used tea bags (with paper tags removed) near the root zone of your lavender plants every few weeks during the growing season.
8. Eggshell Tea Tonic
Beyond just crushing eggshells, you can create a calcium-rich eggshell tea that lavender plants drink up eagerly. Steep clean, crushed eggshells in water for 2-3 days, creating a mineral-packed liquid fertilizer.
Water your lavender with this solution monthly during the growing season. The calcium in this tea strengthens cell walls and improves nutrient uptake, leading to sturdier plants that produce more abundant flowers.
Gardeners who use this method regularly report their lavender not only flowers more profusely but also produces blooms with more vibrant colors and stronger stems that stand up better to summer storms.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar Solution
Apple cider vinegar might seem too acidic for plants, but when highly diluted, it works wonders for lavender. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a gallon of water for a perfect pH-balancing solution.
This mild acidic treatment helps lavender absorb iron from the soil more efficiently. Iron is crucial for chlorophyll production, which powers the plant’s ability to produce energy for creating those beautiful purple flowers.
Apply this solution monthly, watering the soil around your plants rather than spraying the foliage. Many gardeners report seeing more flower buds forming within weeks of this treatment.
10. Yogurt Container Surprise
Don’t rinse those yogurt containers! The thin film of yogurt left behind contains beneficial bacteria and calcium that lavender adores. Fill the container with water, shake it up, and use this probiotic-rich water on your plants.
The beneficial bacteria in yogurt help break down nutrients in the soil, making them more available to your lavender’s root system. This microbial boost creates healthier plants that naturally produce more flowers.
For maximum benefit, use plain yogurt residue rather than sweetened or flavored varieties. The simple proteins and calcium create the perfect boost for lavender’s flowering cycle.
11. Cornmeal Magic
Leftover cornmeal from your kitchen can transform your lavender’s flowering potential. Sprinkle a handful around each plant in early spring before the growing season kicks into high gear.
Cornmeal contains natural phosphorus and potassium – two nutrients that specifically encourage flower production. As it breaks down, it releases these nutrients slowly, providing a steady supply right when lavender needs it most.
As an added benefit, cornmeal has been shown to suppress certain fungal diseases in garden soil, creating a healthier environment for your lavender plants to thrive and produce those fragrant purple blooms.
12. Fish Tank Water Gold
Aquarium enthusiasts have a secret lavender booster right in their fish tanks! The water you remove during regular tank cleaning is packed with nitrogen and beneficial microbes from fish waste.
This gentle, natural fertilizer provides just the right amount of nutrients to encourage lavender to produce more flowering stems. Use it to water your plants every few weeks during the growing season.
Make sure to use water only from freshwater tanks without additives or salt. The natural balance of nutrients in fish tank water closely mimics what lavender would find in its native Mediterranean environment.
13. Epsom Salt Solution
While not exactly a kitchen scrap, Epsom salt often hides in kitchen cabinets and works wonders for lavender. Mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water for a magnesium boost that promotes flowering.
Magnesium is essential for chlorophyll production and enzyme activation in plants. When lavender gets enough magnesium, it produces more energy for creating those beautiful purple flower spikes that we all love.
Apply this solution monthly during the growing season, watering at the base of the plant. Gardeners consistently report more abundant blooms when using this simple household ingredient regularly.
14. Molasses Energy Boost
That bottle of molasses in your pantry isn’t just for cookies – it’s liquid energy for lavender plants! Mix one tablespoon of unsulfured molasses in a gallon of water for an instant flowering booster.
Molasses contains iron, potassium, and sulfur – all nutrients that support robust flower production. The natural sugars also feed beneficial soil microorganisms that help your lavender absorb nutrients more efficiently.
Apply this sweet solution once a month during the growing season. Many gardeners notice their lavender producing noticeably more flower buds within weeks of the first application.
15. Pasta Water Perfection
Save the starchy water left from cooking pasta – it’s packed with minerals that lavender plants can use to produce more flowers! Let the water cool completely before applying it to your garden.
The starchy liquid contains small amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen, providing a gentle nutrient boost without the risk of burning your plants. Just make sure you’re using unsalted pasta water, as too much salt can harm lavender.
Apply cooled pasta water once every two weeks during the growing season. The starch also helps improve soil structure around your lavender plants, enhancing water retention in their root zone.
16. Fireplace Ash Secret
Wood ash from your fireplace contains potassium and calcium carbonate – two elements that lavender plants need for producing abundant flowers. Sprinkle a light dusting around your plants in early spring.
The alkaline nature of wood ash helps maintain the slightly alkaline soil pH that lavender prefers. This pH adjustment makes nutrients more available to the plant’s root system, leading to stronger growth and more flowers.
Use only cold ash from untreated wood, applying it sparingly – about a quarter cup per plant annually. Too much can make soil too alkaline, so a light touch is key to success.