Is Watering Plants With Fruit Juice Healthy for the Plants?

Watering plants with juice that you might otherwise throw away seems like a good way to avoid waste, but consider the effects and alternatives. You could end up harming your plants. Does this Spark an idea?

Flowers

Effects

Mold

Watering with sugary or acidic juices causes a range of problems from pH imbalance to sticky, moldy or bug-infested plants.

Considerations

Sunlight, water and proper nutrients

Plants thrive best with sunlight, water and the appropriate fertilizer. Commercial fertilizers contain chemical versions of the necessary ingredients. Organic options include manure and compost.

Theories/Speculation

Toss juice outdoors

While watering with juice may wreak havoc on indoor plants, tossing it outside is harmless. Outdoor plants enjoy a greater soil and root depth, allowing organic matter to break down and pH to remain balanced.

Types

Orange juice may work for some plants

A study published in the National Student Research Center Journal reported that morning glories performed better when given orange juice rather than grapefruit juice, lemonade and even water.

Warning

Citric acid is often too powerful for plants

Most juices, including orange juice are acidic, while most plants require a more basic soil. Even those plants that do enjoy acidic soil may be harmed by powerful citric acid.