How to Use Eggshells for Your Plants

Instead of tossing eggshells in the trash, why not use them to help your plants? Eggshells can add calcium to the soil, improve drainage, and even help with pests and fungal issues. Plus, it’s a simple way to cut down on kitchen waste while giving your plants a natural boost.

Here are four easy ways you can use eggshells in your potted plants.

Preparing Eggshells for Your Plants

Before adding eggshells to your plants, they need to be cleaned and dried properly.

1. Rinse the shells with hot water.
2. Lay them out on a paper towel to dry for a day or two.
3. If you’re short on time, you can speed up the process by boiling them or baking them at 200°F for about 20 minutes.

Once dry, store crushed eggshells or eggshell powder in an airtight container in a dry place.

A Quick Note

Eggshells take months to break down in the soil, so don’t go overboard. Adding them once or twice a year is plenty.

4 Ways to Use Eggshells for Your Plants

1. Crushed Eggshells as a Natural Fertilizer

Commercial fertilizers aren’t the only way to give your plants extra nutrients. Crushed eggshells can provide calcium while also helping to aerate the soil, making it easier for roots to grow.

To make eggshell fertilizer:

• Grind clean, dry shells using a food processor, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle until they turn into a fine powder.
• Mix the powder into the soil when repotting or sprinkle it around the base of your plant.

2. Eggshell Water for Plants

Eggshells can also be used to make a homemade calcium-rich plant drink.

To make eggshell water:

• Crush a few clean shells.
• Pour boiling water over them and let them sit overnight.
• Strain out the shells the next day and use the water for your plants.

There’s no need to refrigerate it—room temperature water is best for houseplants.

3. Eggshells in the Bottom of Plant Pots

Instead of using rocks or broken pottery, try using eggshells at the bottom of your pots. This helps with drainage and prevents soil from spilling out of the holes.

To do this:

• Break eggshells into large pieces.
• Loosely cover the drainage holes before adding soil.

4. Eggshells as Seed Starters

Eggshells make great biodegradable seed starters or propagation containers for small plants.

To use them for seedlings:

• Poke a few small drainage holes in the bottom using a needle or awl.
• Fill the shell with soil and plant your seeds or cuttings.
• Once the plant is big enough, transplant it—shell and all—into a larger pot.

Using eggshells in your plant care routine is a simple, eco-friendly way to repurpose something you’d normally throw away. Whether you’re fertilizing, watering, improving drainage, or starting new plants, eggshells can be a great addition to your indoor gardening.