Ever heard of compost tea? It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost plant health naturally. Compost tea is the nutrient-rich liquid gold your plants will love.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about compost tea.

Whether you’re growing houseplants on a windowsill or herbs in your balcony garden - compost tea could be the organic upgrade your green space is waiting for. 

Let’s brew some tea!

• What Is Compost Tea?

When compost is steeped in water - it releases a dark, earthy-smelling liquid rich in nutrients and living microbes. This is what we call compost tea. It’s full of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nutrients that plants absolutely love.

• Benefits of Compost Tea for Your Plants

Think of compost tea as a natural vitamin shot for your plants. It doesn’t just feed them, it helps them fight off pests, grow stronger, and stay healthier in the long run.

Composting Benefits:

• Boosts soil health by introducing live microbes.
• Improves nutrient uptake, helping plants grow lush & green.
• Increases resistance to pests and diseases.
• Enhances root development, which means stronger, more resilient plants.
• Improves soil structure and water retention, reducing the need for frequent watering

These are just some of the powerful benefits that come from a simple compost tea.

• How to Make Compost Step by Step

What You’ll Need:

• Ugaoo’s compost bin with the liquid separator
• A container to collect the liquid
• Clean, dechlorinated water
• Optional: seaweed extract or humic acid

Composting Process:

1. Collect the compost tea
Open the tap at the bottom of your compost bin and collect the liquid in a container. This is your compost tea concentrate. It will be dark brown and should smell earthy, not foul.

2. Dilute it
Mix 1 part compost tea with 10 parts water. This ensures it’s gentle enough for your plants while still being effective.

3. Use it fresh
Compost tea works best when it’s fresh. If you need to store it, use it within 24-48 hours and keep the container loosely covered.

Optional: Add a tablespoon of humic acid or seaweed extract to feed the microbes and boost plant benefits.

• What to Compost for the Best Compost Tea

The quality of your compost tea depends heavily on what you put into your compost bin. A healthy, balanced compost mix ensures your tea is packed with nutrients and beneficial microbes.

Here’s a simple list of what to compost to make rich, plant-loving compost tea:

Greens (Nitrogen-rich waste):

• Fruit and vegetable peels
• Coffee grounds
• Tea leaves
• Fresh grass clippings
• Kitchen scraps (no oil or meat)
  

Browns (Carbon-rich materials):

• Dry leaves
• Shredded newspaper
• Cardboard
• Coconut husk and cocopeat

When you get the balance of greens and browns right, your compost becomes a powerhouse of nutrition. Perfect for brewing compost tea that your plants will thrive on.

• How to Use Compost Tea

Now that your compost tea is ready, here’s how to use it:

1. Soil Drench
Pour the diluted tea directly into the soil at the base of your plants. This delivers nutrients straight to the roots. Perfect for indoor plants, balcony planters, herbs, and flowering plants

2. Foliar Spray
Fill a spray bottle with diluted compost tea and spray it onto the leaves. This helps in preventing leaf diseases and gives plants a quick nutrient boost. Spray early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid leaf burn.

Pro tip: If using a sprayer, strain the liquid through a fine cloth to avoid clogging.

• Aerated vs. Non-Aerated Compost Tea: What’s the Difference?

You may have heard of people using pumps to brew compost tea. That’s called aerated compost tea (ACT). It involves using an air pump to add oxygen and grow even more microbes. While ACT has its benefits, it also requires more effort and equipment and needs to be used immediately.

With Ugaoo’s compost bin, you’re collecting non-aerated compost tea or compost extract. It may not have as many microbes as aerated versions, but it’s still incredibly effective when used regularly. For most urban gardeners, it’s simple, safe, and more than enough.

• Common Questions About Compost Tea

How often should I use compost tea?

Use it once a week for outdoor plants and once a month for indoor ones. For kitchen gardens and flowering plants, every 10-15 days works beautifully.

Can I replace fertilizer with compost tea?

Yes, in most cases. Compost tea adds nutrients and improves soil health naturally. Heavy-feeding plants might still need occasional extra feeding, but for most greens and flowers, compost tea is a great standalone fertilizer.

Why does my compost tea smell bad?

It shouldn’t! A healthy tea smells like fresh soil. If it smells rotten or sour, it likely went bad. Toss it and collect a fresh batch. Always dilute and use promptly.

Can I use compost tea on all plants?

Absolutely! From succulents to spinach, compost tea is safe for most houseplants, veggies, herbs, and flowers. Just be mindful when spraying on edible leaves—wash them before eating.

Can I use it in the rainy season?

Yes, but adjust your frequency. Since the soil is already moist, reduce how often you apply tea to avoid over-watering.

Happy gardening and cheers to compost tea!