Question
My niece, bless her heart, learned that used coffee grounds were good for plants.  So, while she was house sitting for me she put some grounds in my rubber tree plant. Now it looks strange, almost like the leaves are leathery and discolored. One branch is parallel to the floor. I have had this plant for 2 years and have had no issues with it, and have only needed to repot once. It has grown like a weed, and I am afraid there has been some damage done. I used to think I had a brown thumb, until this plant and I don't want to lose it. What should I do?


Answer
Hi Denise,

With all due respect to your niece, she was incorrect about adding coffee grounds to your rubber plant. Coffee grounds are very acidic and prevent plants from absorbing nutrients from the soil. This might account for the leaf discoloration. However, it probably does not account for the branch drooping badly.

It is quite possible that your niece may have applied some other mistaken ideas while she was caring for your plant. She may have overwatered inadvertently and that would account for the sagging branches. I would need additional information and a photo to know more than that.

If she sprinkled the grounds on the surface of the soil, the  you can scrape them off. If she mixed them deep into the soil, there is little you can. Replacing all of the soil will do more harm than good. You could add some horticultural lime to the soil to counteract the acidic affects of the coffee. However, it will take a while for this to have an effect.

If the roots have rotted, there is nothing you can do.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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