Gardeners should consider using tea bags in a variety of ways in the garden as they hold some hidden benefits you might not be aware of
Ellen Jenne U35 Spare Time Writer and Dan Taylor
09:35, 22 Oct 2025
Tea is amongst the most beloved drinks in the UK, but next time you’ve made a brew, pause before you bin the tea bags. Gardeners should think about utilising tea bags in various ways around the garden as they contain some surprising benefits you might not realise.
Whether you wish to find a purpose for used tea bags or you tip out the contents directly, tea leaves can assist with numerous gardening jobs, including feeding plants, repelling certain pests, and even being employed as a weed killer.
Chris Ware from Climbing Wild Gardeners says teabags are loaded with tannic acid and nutrients that enhance the soil.
He said: “Tea bags contain beneficial compounds that improve soil structure, retain moisture, and provide plants with essential nutrients.”
Tea bags create an excellent fertiliser as they supply vital nutrients to soil as they break down, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients can help enhance soil structure, boost water retention, and can marginally reduce soil pH for acid-loving plants.
Tea bags can be used as an effective natural fertiliser(Image: Getty)
The tannins in tea can also help repel certain pests and prevent fungal growth. The Art of Tea said: “As the tea leaves and bag begin to break down and decompose, they release nutrients into the soil that helps plants retain water and thrive.”, reports the Express.
By positioning used tea bags around your treasured plants and flowers, they can help keep away hungry pests. They can be employed to discourage the likes of slugs and snails that fancy munching on plant leaves.
Place used tea bags directly on the soil in your flowerbeds and vegetable patches, and the potent aroma of the tea will deter them. They can also be utilised to target larger pests, such as cats and foxes.
Tea bags are said to a number of benefits for gardeners(Image: Maria Korneeva via Getty Images)
To prevent these animals from digging up plants and damaging any roots or bulbs, position the tea bags in the areas where they are likely to dig. Lightly cover the tea bags with a dusting of soil to conceal them while they work their magic to deter pests.
Tea bags can also be employed to help create compost for the garden. This is because the tea is rich in nitrogen, which accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, and they contribute nutrients like potassium and phosphorus.
You’ll need to ensure that the tea bags themselves are fully compostable, or you can pour the tea leaves directly into the compost heap. As tea leaves contain very concentrated amounts of certain nutrients, they’re best used for plants that thrive in acidic soil.
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