One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! That rings true for eggshells in succulent gardening! Check out these ways to use this waste for strong plants.
We all know that chicken or duck eggs are tremendously nutritious for humans. But did you know that they have major benefits for succulents too? This article will shed light on how you can incorporate eggshells into your garden or plant collection to strengthen, protect, and improve your succulents overall!
Ways to Use Eggshells for Strong Succulents
Note: This article will provide techniques for both indoor and outdoor succulent gardens.
1. Replace Industrial Fertilizers with Eggshells
Eggshells are loaded with calcium carbonate, which strengthens plant cell walls and keeps succulents sturdy. If your plant looks droopy or leggy despite good care, it may be craving calcium.
How to Use:
- Rinse and dry the shells well to avoid pests and fungus.
- Crush them into small chunks and sprinkle around the base of the soil.
- Mix lightly into the potting medium.
As the shells break down, they release nutrients slowly—like a steady drip of strength for your succulents.
2. Eggshell Tea for Nutrient-Thirsty Succulents
Why not kill two birds with one stone—water and feed at the same time? Eggshell tea is a gentle, nutrient-packed drink perfect for succulents.
How to Use:
- Boil 6–8 shells in a liter of water for 10 minutes.
- Let the mix sit for up to 24 hours, then strain.
- Use the liquid to water or mist plants every 1–2 weeks.
It’s mild enough for regular use, but remember to wipe leaves dry afterward.
3. Adding Eggshell Powder to the Soil
This technique is similar to the first hack, however, instead of using large eggshell chunks, you must grind them into a fine powder. When mixed with the soil, this powder acts as a slow-release fertilizer, which also balances out the pH level. So it is a win-win scenario!
How to Use
- Wash and dry 5–10 shells.
- Grind into a fine powder.
- Mix 1–2 tablespoons into every 2–3 cups of soil when potting.
It blends seamlessly and keeps working behind the scenes.
4. Layer of Large Eggshells at the Bottom
If your succulent is prone to root rot, this idea is perfect for you. By forming the bottom-most layer of your substrate using large eggshell pieces, you will allow more water to seep instead of pooling. The air pockets between each piece will also allow easy root growth with maximum air circulation.
How to Use
- Carefully arrange the large, dome-shaped shells at the bottom of the pot.
- Add succulent soil on top without pressing it down.
- Plant as usual and let the setup do its magic.
5. Eggshell Compost
If you have a compost bin consisting of biodegradable kitchen matter, toss in your eggshells as well. Certain studies show that the eggshells reduce acidity while enriching the compost with essential nutrients.
How to Use
- Add shells along with your kitchen scraps.
- Mix and turn regularly to avoid odor and fungus.
- Adjust the texture with shredded paper for dryness or banana peels for moisture.
6. Keep Slugs and Snails at Bay
Since broken eggshell pieces can be quite poky and sharp, arranging them around your outdoor succulent garden can deter soft-bodied pests from entering. Also, they emit an unpleasant odor that other pests tend to avoid.
How to Use
- Break off portions of eggshells to create somewhat sharp-edged pieces.
- Sow or place these pieces all around your succulent garden to form a protective boundary.
Now that you know how to use eggshells to improve the health of your succulents, do you know of any other “waste items” that are actually a boon to the gardening world? Tell us in the comments section!
