How to Make Eggshell Water For Houseplants
Did you know that you could make eggshell water for houseplants and have your own organic plant food? You only need 3 things, eggshells, water and a container. I’m certain you have all three of those items available right now.
Organic plant food is always best. Because we make every effort to live frugally around here, I have been feeding my plants this Egg Shell Water for many years!
You cannot beat free and this organic plant food is essentially free! We are going to repurpose an empty milk jug and use our egg shells after making breakfast, cakes or whatever you may be using eggs in.
Save your eggshells. I save mine in an empty egg container and keep them in the refrigerator until ready for use.
Egg Shell water does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. House plants prefer room temperature water. I store mine under the kitchen sink for easy access.
Carefully place the eggshells into your container. I use an empty milk jug. I don’t crush my eggshells first but you could pulverize them in a food chopper if you like.
Fill the container with water. Wait one day before using your eggshell water to feed your houseplants. Start with at least 3 to 6 eggs.
It smells terrible but your plants are going to love it. Refill with water after each use. Once you no longer smell the strong odor, that is when you know you need to either add more shells or make a new jug.
You can continue to add fresh eggshells to the same jug of water for several months. Unfortunately, repurposed milk jugs do not hold up like they used to. Over time, the milk jug will spring a leak. I found that out the hard way in recent years. Prevent that disaster by changing out your milk jug every few months.
This Pothos plant has been fed with Egg Shell Water for it’s entire life. It has been around for more than 10 years and continues to thrive.
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Barbara says
Can you use the water if it’s salted?
Shirley says
I would not put salted water on my plants. It might kill the roots.
Vanessa Russell says
Hi how much shell should be left in the plant?
Shirley says
I do not purposefully pour the shells on to the plant, only the water.
Sue K says
I did not keep my egg shells in the refrigerator, they smell pretty bad, I rinse them really well in hot water. Do you think they are still OK to water with?
Shirley Wood says
Hi Sue, I have always kept my egg shells in the refrigerator until I make the water in the milk jug. I keep my Egg Shell Water jug under the kitchen sink so it is not refrigerated. I suppose it should be just fine but cannot say that for certain. Yes, they do smell very bad but that odor will dissipate as you continue to refill the jug with water. When the odor is gone, that is when you know you need new egg shells.
Gwen says
Do you use this everytime you water your plants?
Shirley Wood says
Hi Gwen, Yes I do use this every time I water my plants.
Gwen says
Thank you. I’m going to give it a try.
Nicole says
I have cats, will the egg shell water attract my cats to dig in myplants?
Della says
I’ve been doing the egg shell eater for years as well, but was wondering can it be used in my garden?
yys says
Hi! Thanks for this economic tip. Two questions…
1. Can you use this and also use DIY plant food made of epsom salt and baking soda? Or will that kill the plant?
2. Can you use shells from boiled eggs or they have to be raw eggs?
Thanks!
Shirley Wood says
YYS, I would NOT combine two different Plant foods regardless to what they are. Using Egg Shells to create a natural plant food is basically free since the eggs we save the shells as we cook the eggs. I only use egg shells from eggs I crack open to cook in recipes. I have never tried boiled but I doubt those shells will return the same yummy goodness my houseplants seem to love from the stinky egg shell water. You might want to use those boiled egg shells to crush and add to soil outside which has been bothered with pests. That trick is supposed to ward off certain plant pests.
Chinesta Skelton says
Hi Sherry, my mother used eggshell water back in the 70s, and our home was filled with lush green plants. Yes eggshell water has an awful smell but your plants will grow to be very healthy. My Mothers friends used to say she had a “green thumb” signifying that my mother had expertise in growing plants, thanks for sharing.
I now use eggshell water when watering my plants.
Amanda says
Hello. Why do you keep the eggshells in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them? Thanks!
Amanda
Shirley Wood says
Otherwise they would smell very bad.
rose says
quick question. how do you store the water? do you leave it out or do you refrigerate it.
Shirley Wood says
Hi Rose, I keep my Eggshell water under the kitchen sink.
Amberjane says
I use egg shells in my soil so I will have to try this 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board
Kristina says
Is it okay to rinse the shells before putting them in the water?
Shirley Wood says
No, please don’t. You will lose all the good stuff.
Patsy Price says
Do a search, Christmas cactus/Thanksgiving cactus, there will be 4 or 5 and I think it is the top one. On that site.
Patsy Price says
Thanks for the info. Your plant is a Thanksgiving Cactus. A Christmas Cactus does not have the thorn looking things on the leaves, they are smooth edge leaves. Hope this helps to identify your plant . I thought mine was a Christmas Cactus too, but http://www.agardenforthehouse.com had an item on this around Christmas which shows the difference.
Krayl @ An Appealing Plan says
I have never seen this! I was wondering about the smell but open the windows and feed your little green friends. Thanks for the organic gardening tip!
Shirley Wood says
It really only smells when you add fresh eggs. I keep adding water to the eggs for several months. The smell does dissipate quickly when you are watering the plants. It doesn’t stink up the whole house at all.
Sonya says
This is great to know. I’ve been meaning to get a houseplant for years because I’ve heard that they help to purify toxins from the air inside your house. Whenever, I finally get some houseplants I will use your tip to keep them healthy.
Shirley Wood says
I have houseplants in most rooms where I can have them near windows for natural light. I like to always have house plants in the bedrooms also for the oxygen they do add to the air.
Janelle says
Oh wow. No I totally did not know. But thank you for sharing this. How often during the month/year do you do this personally though?
Shirley Wood says
Always. I don’t ever use any other water for my house plants. I keep it made.
Kallee says
The plant is beautiful. I have never heard of using eggshell water. I have a few plants that could use a good drink of it.
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
Thank you for contributing to Motivation Monday!
Alyssa says
If I ever get anymore house plants I will use this trick! Thanks for Sharing on the Home Matters Linky Party this week!
Jennifeer Abel says
Wow I love this idea and have never heard of it but I vaguely remember my Nanna adding crushed eggshells to her plants in the shadehouse. Thank you so much for sharing on #wednesdayswisdom, have a good weekend.
Rachel says
Great Idea! I grow tomatoes every year outside and add eggshells to the dirt but this sounds like a great idea. I will definitely keep it somewhere not in the kitchen though!
Alli Smith says
As I was reading this I was thinking what a great idea this was while wondering if the smell was horrible. Glad to know that it dissipates quickly because I hate the way eggs smell. I won’t place anything in my dishwasher that had eggs on it because (to me) it stinks up every dish in the dishwasher. My family thinks I’m crazy. 🙂
This is a great way to reuse those shells. Your Christmas cactus is gorgeous!!
Shirley Wood says
LoL, Alli you are so funny! My baby girl hates the smell of eggs too so I understand. They sure are good for the plants though. You can crush them in the food processor and spread them on top of the dirt of your house plants, no strong odor involved.