Are eggshells good for succulents? After reading this blog post, you can decide whether you can or cannot use nutrient-rich eggshells as an organic fertilizer for succulent plants.

Succulents are the plant that does not need much fertilizer to grow. However, it needs the correct soil to thrive. These arid environment plants prefer well drain and slightly acidic soil, which is similar to sandy. Slightly acidic means somewhat less nutrient soil. These harsh environment plants prefer bright sunlight.

Unlike other plants, succulents need a special potting mix. However, it is pretty simple and easy to make. In desert conditions, these plants receive minimal nutrients. Even Though if we provide slightly nutrient-rich fertilizers, they can thrive better. With organic matter, rich, succulent soil mix beneficial to plant and produce flowers.

So, are Eggshells good for succulents?

Succulents are not fertilizer-hungry plants. However, you can use eggshells as a fertilizer for succulent plants. Eggshells are rich in calcium, potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and other essential minerals for plants. These nutrients are essential for plant growth. Using eggshells can improve soil fertility organically, even though these plants do not require much calcium. Therefore use always a small amount.

Benefits of Eggshell as Fertilizer for Succulents?

Eggshell knows as rich in calcium. Not only that, it is a great source of magnesium, phosphorus, and other vital minerals, which are essential for sustainable growth.

The main nutrient that we can find in the eggshells is calcium. It is essential for growing the plants’ cells. Another most common nutrient that we can find in the eggshell is Phosphorus which is essential for growing a strong root system.

Another significant this is eggshell does not contain nitrogen. Always you have to use low nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore this is a perfect organic fertilizer for succulent plants.

When you use eggshells, you cannot use them the way they are. There are several ways to introduce eggshells as fertilizer to your succulent plant. The most common ways are,

• Eggshell Powder.
• Eggshell Tea.

How to Make Eggshell Powder.

This is pretty simple. Collect a few dozen of eggshells and wash them. If it contains any harmful bacteria like salmonella can affect the plant. Therefore properly wash them in warm water or heat the shells for around two minutes using a microwave oven. This will kill possible pathogens.

Then crush the shells with a grinder or with your hand until you receive tiny species. Blend then until it turns to a small powder.

Once you finished chopping the shells, collect them. You can add these eggshell powder directly on top of the soil or mix it when preparing the succulent potting mix. When you are growing succulents in small pots, you have to mix this organic fertilizer with the soil mix.

How to make Eggshell Tea.

You can make this in two ways.

1). Boil the egg and take the tea out of them. This is a very straightforward method. Put several eggs in a cooking pot and Boil the eggs as well as you normally would. Take the eggs out of the water. Cool the water overnight and pour the “eggshell tea” to your succulent plant as a calcium and potassium booster.

2). Soak shells overnight take tea out of them. First, properly wash the eggshell to clean them out and remove any remaining yolk. Then add shells to a jar or large cup and pour boiling water. Cover the top of the container and let it cool down overnight. Then use this eggshell tea as a liquid fertilizer for the succulent plant.

You do not use this tea frequently. Because these hard environment-loving plants require minimum fertilizer. Therefore it is better to fertilize this nutrient tea once every 6 months.

The main drawback of the tea is it can make a strong odor. Therefore before applying this organic liquid fertilizer for indoor succulents, better check the water smell. However, your plants are loving it.

Can use Eggshell as a succulent pot?

You can plant succulents in eggshells as a fancy DIY pot for your indoor garden. Since these shells are small, you have to plant tiny plants. Not only that, when using the cuttings propagation method, these small pots can be used to plant succulents.

Thanks to the eggshell biodegradable nature, these pots decompose in one or two months. Therefore after that, you can directly burry the eggshell pots in regular succulent pots.

Egg cartons can use to store these pots in your indoor garden. That is certainly an eyecatching decoration idea.

• How to open the shell for plant succulents.

First, you have to use the right equipment to break the shell. Using a sharp knife, tap the top of the shell until you create a small hole. Using a figure, carefully make the hole big enough to plant the succulent. Remove the egg yok and broken pieces carefully.

• Wash the Eggshell.

Then wash the shell using warm water, including the inside and outside. It can attract harmful bacteria like salmonella. Then heat them for around 2 minutes using a microwave oven. It will destroy any remaining bacteria.

• Fill potting soil.

Then fill the shell with succulent potting mix. Fill about ½ of the shell.

• Plant the succulent in eggshell.

You can plant small succulent plants or cuttings taken from the mother plants. Carefully place the succulent plant or cuttings on the top of the soil and fill potting soil.

• How to water?

This is more crucial. Since we didn’t make any drainage holes, it can cause root rot in a succulent plant. Therefore never overwater the plant. On the other hand, never underwater. Just a few tablespoons are full of water enough (Maximum 2 tablespoons).

How much eggshell Powder use for succulent plants?

This depends on the plant size and age. For a single plant, add around one teaspoon of full powder. That is sufficient for one year. If the plant matured, then use a maximum of 2 teaspoons full of eggshell powder, but never more than that.

When using eggshell tea, use one cup of tea for the matured plant. For other small plants, use less than ¾ cup or lower tea. Once added the tea to the soil, do not water until the soil surface dries out.

Is calcium good for succulents?

Succulents family plants, known as less fertilizer, require plans. Eggshells are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and Magnesium. Succulents need less nitrogen, although they require calcium, phosphorus, and potassium-rich fertilizer in small amounts. If you have flowering succulent, this is the best source for boot succulent flowering. These decorative plants require calcium for the development of the plant’s cell walls and membranes. When the plant lack calcium its stunts plant growth. Therefore, eggshell is a perfect fertilizer for succulents.

Calcium is good for succulents though the excessive amount is not good. Therefore you have to use the right quantity at the right time. Always use a small amount of calcium contain fertilizer every year. It is not required regularly.

Can you put eggshells on top of the soil?

When adding eggshells on top of the soil does not improve the decompose time. It is not a good practice. Therefore crush the shells into the smallest pieces and bury them in soil. Micro-organisms require the breakdown of the eggshells’ calcium carbonate into plants loving calcium.

Are boiled eggshells good for plants?

Boiled eggshells absolutely good for the plants. Boiled eggshell water is called egg tea. It is a good source of calcium. However, you can use this eggshell tea when its heat reached the room temperature level.

Recommended Fertilizer for Succulents?

Succulents do not require regular fertilization. When preparing the potting mix, it is recommended to add nutrient-rich little organic materials like compost. Succulents require lower nitrogen fertilizer. High nitrogen can burn the root and stretch the plant. Which is impacts the plant shape.

When you are shopping for readymade fertilizer, always use balance NPK level (10:10:10) or lower nitrogen NPK mix (2:7:7) fertilizer. Overfertilization or regular fertilization is harmful to the plant. Sometimes, it can kill. Therefore always use recommended portion once a year or two years.