How to Use Rice Water as a Natural Plant Fertilizer

When you cook rice, do you usually pour away the water you used or keep it? Well, it turns out that, using rice water for plants can be a fantastic treat for your plants.

You know when you rinse or boil rice, you’re getting rid of any leftover dust and dirt from when it was made.

That extra water from the rice after washing is more than just waste because it’s a little powerhouse of good stuff for your plants.

So let’s go into detail to know the benefits of rice water for your plants.

Rice Water for Plants: From Kitchen to Garden

Reusing water is a smart move, especially considering that the world’s demand for water is expected to go up by 55% by 2050 due to climate change and a growing population.

It turns out, rice water is like a gentle fertilizer that makes the roots of your plants happy, thanks to some good bacteria.

When you wash rice, it loses some nutrients, but those nutrients end up in the water. A study found that rice water can make garlic plants grow bigger and fuller.

Rice water is full of starch, and starch has nitrogen, a nutrient that attracts helpful bacteria in the soil.

These bacteria turn the nitrogen into something called nitrate, which is like a natural boost for photosynthesis that helps plants to grow.

A plant expert, Tyler Cross, also said that leftover rice water was like food for green plants during an interview with eHow.

So, instead of tossing that water away, use it to feed your plants. It doesn’t only save you money but is also flexible.

You can use any kind of uncooked rice because it doesn’t matter if it’s brown or white. So the more starch in the rice, the better it is. It’s like a special treat that your plants will love.

The Breakdown Benefits of Using Rice Water on Plants

Here are the following breakdown benefits of using rice water on plants:

1. You can easily get it from everyday cooking.

2. It lets us recycle kitchen waste.

3. Saves money on buying fertilizer.

4. Avoids the risk of getting burns from using chemical fertilizers.

5. Helps good bacteria in the soil to thrive.

6. Acts as a natural way to keep pests away.

7. You can use it by pouring it on top, soaking it from below, or spraying it.

8. Makes your plants grow better.

9. Makes more fruits and crops.

10. It’s an eco-friendly way to feed your plants.

The Disadvantages of Rice Water on Plants

Using rice water on your garden plants might have downsides, which are;

1. While starch can be good for helpful bacteria, in rice water, it can also feed harmful bacteria that could harm your crops.

2. Starch can attract pests that might munch on or harm your plants.

3. Having too much starch in your garden could lead to root rot, causing trouble for your plants.

Does Rice Water Help Your Plant’s Soil?

Ever wondered why some plants prefer certain types of soil? Well, it’s because of something called pH, which measures how acidic or not the soil is.

This rice water, which is high in nitrates, can affect the acidity of the soil. For some plants, this can be like a toxic overload, but for others, it’s like giving them a superfood boost.

If you bought regular potting soil, it probably has a standard pH. But if you go for delicate soil, the pH might be a bit different either more acidic or less acidic (alkaline).

It’s like different flavors of soil for different plants.

The rice water is not just rich in nitrogen but it also has protein, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.

A study in 2016 found that when used on peppers, which love slightly acidic soil, rice water made the leaves bigger and the peppers larger after just five weeks.

When picking water for your plants, go for rainwater or melted snow. These are great choices because they’re safe, gentle on your plants, and packed with oxygen.

Plus, their pH is just right, not too acidic or too basic making them perfect for most indoor plants. It’s like giving your plants the VIP treatment with the best water possible.

Using rice water for plants is like giving them a secret potion for growth and health. Just as we enjoy the benefits of a good meal, plants seem to thrive when treated to a dose of rice water.

The nutrients from the rice water work like magic, helping plants grow stronger, greener, and happier.

So, the next time you’re cooking up some rice, think twice before pouring that water down the drain because your plants might just thank you with a burst of vibrant life.