Using boiled egg water for plants is an excellent way to provide extra nutrients and minerals to help them grow. The water left over after boiling eggs contains various compounds that are beneficial for plant health and development.
What are the benefits of using boiled egg water for plants?
There are several key benefits to using boiled egg water for plants:
- It contains nitrogen – Egg shells are made up of calcium carbonate and contain small amounts of nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for healthy plant growth and development.
- It provides calcium – Egg shells are rich in calcium which helps strengthen cell walls in plants and reduces the risk of blossom end rot in tomatoes.
- It contains other minerals – Boiled egg water contains small amounts of phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and more. These all serve as key micronutrients for optimal plant health.
- It may deter pests – Some gardeners find that spraying plants with egg white water can deter certain pests like aphids or deer. The protein in it disrupts the pests.
- It’s free fertilizer – Using boiled egg water is a cost-effective, natural way to fertilize plants versus buying chemical fertilizers.
What types of plants benefit from boiled egg water?
Most plants can benefit from occasional application of boiled egg water including:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplants
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Beans
- Peas
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Carrots
- Onions
- Garlic
- Herbs like basil, rosemary, etc.
- Flowers
- Houseplants
The calcium and nitrogen in the boiled egg water make it particularly helpful for vegetable plants in the solanaceae family like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants which are prone to blossom end rot. The extra calcium strengthens the cellular structure of the plants to reduce this physiological disorder.
How do you make boiled egg water for plants?
Making boiled egg water fertilizer is very simple:
- Boil 1-2 eggs for 10-15 minutes until hard boiled.
- Cool and crack the shell, remove the hard boiled egg(s).
- Reserve the boiled egg water in a container or pitcher.
- Optionally, you can crush up the egg shell into a fine powder to add additional calcium to the water.
- Dilute the boiled egg water at a ratio of roughly 1:10 with regular water. Too high concentration of egg water can potentially burn plants.
- Use the diluted egg water to water plants at the root zone around once per week or biweekly.
It’s best to use the egg water within a day or two of boiling the eggs to prevent bacteria growth. You can store any extra in the fridge for a few days.
How often should you use boiled egg water on plants?
Most plants will benefit from boiled egg water every 1-2 weeks during the active growing season. Here are some general guidelines on frequency:
- Seedlings – Use weekly at half strength dilution.
- Vegetables – Use weekly or biweekly at full strength.
- Flowers – Use biweekly at full strength.
- Trees/Shrubs – Use monthly at full strength.
- Houseplants – Use biweekly at quarter strength dilution.
Test on a few leaves first if uncertain about a plant’s tolerance. Too much egg water can potentially burn the plant’s roots and leaves.
Are there any disadvantages to using boiled egg water on plants?
There are a few potential disadvantages including:
- May attract animals – The smell of egg water may attract dogs, raccoons, deer and other animals if used outdoors.
- Risk of bacterial growth – Egg water should be used promptly and not stored for long periods to prevent salmonella and other bacterial growth.
- Can burn plants if too concentrated – Use a diluted mixture as egg water is high in proteins and minerals that can damage plants in higher amounts.
- Extra preparation work – Boiling eggs and preparing the egg water takes some extra time compared to other fertilizers.
Overall however, the benefits of this free, natural fertilizer greatly outweigh the potential disadvantages for most home gardeners.
What nutrients does boiled egg water contain?
Here is an overview of some of the main nutrients found in boiled egg water:
| Nutrient | Amount | Benefits for Plants |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Small amounts in the egg white | Essential for green growth and plant proteins |
| Calcium | Abundant in the egg shell | Strengthens cell walls, reduces blossom end rot |
| Phosphorous | Trace amounts in egg yolk | Aids in root growth and flowering |
| Potassium | Small amounts in egg white | Important for water regulation in plants |
| Magnesium | Trace amounts in egg white | Key for chlorophyll production |
Boiled egg water contains a variety of organic compounds like proteins and amino acids that also offer benefits for plants.
Should you use just the water or crush up the shells too?
Both the boiled egg water alone and adding crushed egg shells offer benefits:
- Egg water alone – Contains nitrogen and trace minerals that easily leach into the water during boiling. Provides a quick nutrient boost.
- Adding crushed shells – Increases the calcium content dramatically. Egg shells are over 90% calcium carbonate. Releases calcium over time.
For quick feeding, the water alone is fine. For longer term fertilizing and supplying abundant calcium, crushing up shells into a fine powder and adding to the egg water is recommended.
Can you use raw or uncooked egg water on plants?
It is not recommended to use raw, uncooked egg water on plants. Reasons to avoid using raw egg water include:
- Contains bacteria like salmonella – Raw eggs may contain harmful bacteria that can contaminate plants and soil.
- Proteins not broken down – The proteins in raw egg whites may clog or burn plant roots and leaves.
- Cooking makes nutrients bioavailable – Boiling breaks down and releases key nutrients like nitrogen and calcium.
- Can attract pests – Raw eggs may attract unwanted visitors like raccoons or insects.
For safety and maximum benefits, it is best to only use boiled or cooked egg water to eliminate any bacteria and make the nutrients accessible to plants.
Conclusion
Using boiled egg water is an excellent organic and chemical-free way to provide plants with extra nourishment. The nitrogen, calcium, and other minerals it contains offers a nutritious boost to vegetables, flowers, herbs, and other plants. Boiling the eggs sanitizes the water and makes the nutrients more bioavailable to plants. Crushing up the cooked shells further increases the calcium content. Avoid using raw egg water which poses risks of bacteria. Overall, supplementing with diluted boiled egg water every 1-2 weeks provides a simple foliar feed and soil drench that can help plants thrive.