My basil kept wilting until I started watering it with leftover tea

I had a pot of basil on my kitchen windowsill that looked sad all summer. After it drooped for the third time, I tried giving it the cooled-down green tea from my morning cup instead of plain tap water. Within about a week, the leaves got much bigger and darker green. I think the little bit of tannins and nutrients in the tea helps it, and it feels nice not to waste the dregs. Has anyone else tried feeding their herbs with kitchen leftovers like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_michael3d ago

My rosemary plant was half dead last year. Started giving it the leftover water from boiling eggs once it cooled down. The thing came back to life in like two weeks. I read somewhere the calcium from the shells leaches into the water. Now I just keep a jar of it by the sink. Your tea trick makes total sense.

the_lisa3d agoMost Upvoted

Honestly that egg water thing is genius. I started doing that with my houseplants too, not just herbs. My peace lily got all spotty and weak, but a few rounds of cooled pasta water perked it right up. The starchy water seems to feed the soil. I even use old aquarium water when I clean the tank, it's full of fish waste that plants love. It's crazy how much good stuff we just pour down the drain.