Some perennial veggies provide natural fertilizer for themselves and nearby plant life. The same goes for herbs. Old and used tea bags provide nitrogen, tannic acid, and other components that help make a healthy growing environment.

Nitrogen is a leading component of many store-bought fertilizers, and (depending on the type) there’s a lot more of it in composted tea bags.

So, after enjoying a morning or afternoon cup of tea, most of you probably toss the wet, soggy bag of steeped tea leaves in the garbage. Well, as it turns out, there’s actually another great use for them that can also help your garden – bury them!

Here are 9 awesome used tea leaves uses in the garden:

1. Add Nutrients to Your Soil

Tea leaves contain tannic acid and nutrients that are natural fertilizers for the garden. As the tea leaves decompose, they release nutrients into the soil, creating a healthier growing environment. Tea bags will also provide a bit of food for earthworms that are wonderful for tilling the dirt in your garden.

2. Reduce Garbage of Other Items

Placing acidic tea leaves in your soil or compost pile will help increase the decomposition of other items like food scraps or paper products, or in other words it will help eliminate excess waste.

3. Organic Fertilizer

Tea makes a nutrient rich fertilizer with its tannic acid and nitrogen-boosting properties. To use as a fertilizer, you can brew up some tea or mix damp black tea leaves into the soil or spread it around the base of the plant. Keep in mind that because of tea‘s acidity, it may not be beneficial for plants that require neutral or alkaline soil.

4. Keep Weeds and Pests at Bay

5. Strong Antifungal Properties

Did you know tea has strong antifungal properties for plants? Water or spritz your outdoor and indoor plants with diluted brewed tea to prevent fungicide. In addition to black tea, chamomile holds a special place among gardeners for dispatching fungus from plants. Steep a few bags of chamomile tea for 16 to 24 hours before using as a spray or watering solution.

6. Keep Cats Away from Your Garden

No one wants the neighborhood cat to use their garden as their litter box. Much like deterring insects, cats don’t like the bitter scent of tea leaves, so be sure to sprinkle your used tea-bags around your beloved plants.

7. Your tea bags can grow a garden

Believe it or not, you can grow your own garden with used tea bags, seeds, a plastic tray, water and a paper towel. You’ll germinate your seeds with the tea bags and then plant them in the garden, according to the Kiwi Conservation Club. 

8. Water & Dirt Retainer

9. Repair Your Lawn

Have a few empty patches on your lawn? Some gardeners soak grass seed in brewed tea before sprinkling in their yards. Others, plant used tea bags into dirt with fresh grass seed. The moisture and nutrients from the bag help new grassy hairs to sprout.