Can You Water Plants with Orange Juice?

Watering plants can sometimes be an art form. Plants need water to grow, and we all want to provide our green friends the best care possible. However, have you ever wondered if you can water your plants with anything other than water? Say, orange juice?

The Pros and Cons of Watering Your Plants with Orange Juice

Before you experiment with watering your plants with orange juice, let's talk about the pros and cons.

The citrus content in orange juice can provide some beneficial nutrients to your plants. For instance, orange juice contains phosphorous, which helps plants bloom and grow. In addition to that, oranges are a rich source of vitamin C, which not only spells good news for humans but can also help combat some plant diseases.

However, before you start pouring orange juice in your plants' soil, you should know that there are some cons as well. Orange juice is acidic, and too much acid can lead to the soil becoming too acidic. Plants thrive in mildly acidic soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. When the soil becomes too acidic, it can cause nutrients to become less available and sometimes be toxic to the plant. Also, excess sugar in orange juice can feed bacteria and mold in the soil that can harm the plant.

When is it Appropriate to Water Plants with Orange Juice?

Now that you know the pros and cons of watering your plants with orange juice, let's talk about when it's appropriate to do so.

The best time to use orange juice as a plant supplement is when the soil pH is neutral, i.e., 7.0. In addition to that, using orange juice as an occasional soil supplement during the growing season can help give your plants an extra nutrient boost. However, be mindful of how much you're using to avoid over-fertilization of the plants.

How to Water Your Plants with Orange Juice?

If you decide to water your plants with orange juice, here are some tips you should keep in mind:

Ensure that the orange juice is freshly squeezed or made from organic oranges, free of added preservatives and sugars.

Use a diluted mixture of orange juice and water to balance the pH levels and prevent over-acidification of the soil. A good ratio could be 1:4, where one-part orange juice is mixed with four parts water.

Do not use pure orange juice as it can be too strong for the plant and cause more harm than good.

Refine the application. Watering the plant once or twice a month with diluted orange juice is more than enough to give them the benefits of the citrus while avoiding the negative side effects.

The Bottom Line

Going by the above analysis, watering plants with orange juice can be both beneficial and harmful. Therefore, it is better to stick to the traditional method of watering your plants with water. However, if you do decide to experiment with giving your plants an occasional dose of orange juice, keep in mind the guidelines mentioned earlier to avoid doing any harm to your beloved green friends.