7 Benefits of Eggshells for Plants, Let’s Take Notes!

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When cooking eggs, what do you usually do with the eggshells? Most of us just toss them in the trash without a second thought, right? However, you should know that this kitchen waste offers some unexpected benefits, including being used as a natural fertilizer, compost, and even as a pest repellent.

Rather than letting it go to waste, let’s explore the benefits of eggshells for plants and learn how to process this organic waste.

Benefits of Eggshells for Plants

Eggshells are often thrown away after cooking. However, although this small item is still considered kitchen waste, it can still be utilized, especially for plants.

According to data from the Sistem Informasi Pengelolaan Sampah Nasional (SIPSN), food waste in 2024 made up 39.25% of the total national waste. That is nearly 4 out of every 10 kilograms of waste produced in Indonesia, mostly coming from our kitchens.

Instead of throwing them away and ending up in landfills, eggshells can be processed and reused for various purposes. Eggshells are rich in calcium and other minerals, making them especially useful for gardening and plant care. When used properly, here are some of the benefits of eggshells for plants that you can get.

1. Pest Repellent

Yard plants are often targeted by small animals like snails, worms, or even stray cats. Well, eggshells can be a simple solution to overcome this. Their sharp texture discourages soft-bodied animals, such as snails and worms, from approaching, as it may cause them injury

Furthermore, eggshells can also deter stray cats from returning. They tend to dislike the sensation of stepping on broken shells, making the garden area safer from disturbances.

2. Natural Fertilizer

Eggshells contain calcium, an essential nutrient for plant growth and development. This content can be used as a natural fertilizer. To use it, mix crushed eggshells with water and let them sit for a few days until the calcium gets dissolved.

Afterward, the soaking water can be used directly to water plants, such as vegetables. This way, the plants will absorb additional nutrients from a natural ingredient that is easily found in the kitchen.

3. Preventing Plant Rot

Did you know that the tips of tomato, pepper, and eggplant plants can sometimes rot as they grow, partly due to a lack of calcium in the soil? Eggshells can help prevent this. Plants absorb the calcium from the crushed eggshells, making the fruit stronger and less prone to rot.

To make it beneficial, you can sprinkle crushed eggshells into the planting hole before planting or sprinkle them around the base of the plant every two weeks to ensure the plant continues to receive additional nutrients.

4. Covering Broken Plant Pot Holes

If you find a plant pot with a hole or crack in the bottom, eggshells can be a simple solution to fill it. Eggshells are strong enough to keep the soil in place while still allowing water to drain during watering.

Besides covering potholes, eggshells also have additional benefits. As they decompose in the soil, their nutrients are absorbed by the plants and help it grow. Moreover, making a pothole cover from eggshells is very easy. You can simply crush the eggshells roughly and place them in the hole of the pot before planting.

5. Compost Mix

One way to reuse eggshells at home is by adding them to compost to boost its calcium content. This nutrient plays a vital role in helping plants form strong cell walls. If calcium is lacking, plants may experience slow growth and become more susceptible to damage.

To use it, finely crushed eggshells can be mixed into the compost pile. Then, make sure there are no traces of raw egg left to prevent disease in the plants. This way, the compost will be richer in nutrients and beneficial for plant growth.

6. Soil Fertilizer

Excessively acidic soil can make it difficult for plants to thrive. One natural way to address this problem is by mixing eggshells into the planting medium. You can thoroughly wash the eggshells, dry them, and grind them. Then, you can mix them into the soil before planting.

Eggshells contain calcium, which can help neutralize soil acidity and increase its fertility. This improves soil conditions and allows plants to grow optimally.

7. Seed Storage Container

Eggshells can be used as a container for planting seeds. This can be a simple alternative to using small pots or polybags.

The process is quite simple. Make sure to crack the egg gently so that half of the shell remains intact. Then, clean and dry the shell first.

After that, fill half of the shell with a bit of soil, place the seeds inside, and water them lightly. Store them in a well-lit area until the seeds begin to sprout and are ready to be transplanted to the soil or a larger pot.

Besides being environmentally friendly, this method also helps save costs because you don’t need to buy additional planting containers.

Those were some of the benefits of eggshells for plants, from enriching the soil and reducing acidity to serving as a practical growing medium. With simple processing, this kitchen waste can provide numerous benefits for your plants at home.

Small habits like these align with the spirit of Indonesia Asri. Through the #SiPalingSustainable campaign, this movement encourages people to start living an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

This campaign presents numerous exciting opportunities for participation. The goal is not only to have fun but also to encourage more people to engage in environmental protection through actions that can be initiated at home.

So, what are you waiting for? Join now and become a Warga Asri, part of the movement to keep the earth clean, healthy, and comfortable for the future.