How to Use Rice Water on Plants to Make Your Garden Thrive (2024)

Updated: Mar. 08, 2024

Reduce kitchen waste and grow a healthier garden—both indoors and out!—by making your own rice water for plants

Gardeners are always coming up with new and creative ways to help their plants grow better. And homemade products like coffee grounds for plants, eggshells for plants and banana water for plants have all shown promise for supporting the growth of outdoor and indoor plants. But according to several studies, rice water for plants may be one of the most useful natural fertilizers yet, and you can easily make it at home.

As any gardener knows, plants need sunlight, soil and water to grow properly. But once you have “the basics of plant care down, it’s great to give your green babies a boost so they can thrive,” says Aaron Deacon, founder and owner of Bios Nutrients. “Three ways to do this are: fertilizers (macronutrients), supplements (micronutrients) and soil enhancers. And the cool thing is, you can make all three nutrient boosters from items you may already be adding to your shopping cart.”

Even if you don’t know how to compost, affordable homemade fertilizers like rice water are incredibly easy to make, and they’re a handy alternative to chemical fertilizers. Plus, finding creative ways to repurpose kitchen waste can reduce your carbon footprint and help you green up your home. So follow along in the guide below to learn more about rice water and how to use this natural liquid fertilizer to boost the growth of your plants (as well as hair), keep pests away and more.

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Is rice water good for plants?

Rice is rich in a number of different nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and sulfur. But when you rinse or boil rice, many of those nutrients wash away in the water. If you repurpose rice water for plants, however, you can redirect all those nutrients to your garden and houseplants, preventing waste from ending up in your trash and compost bin and helping your plants grow better too. But why is rice water good for plants?

Julie Garner, author of Raised Bed Gardening for Beginners, explains that the nutrients in rice water make it a beneficial fertilizer for both indoor and outdoor plants. “It also helps protect your plants from common garden and houseplant pests, [and it] improves soil structure by promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms,” she says.

And there is science to back this up. One study conducted by the Universitas Terbuka found that a number of different plants, including tomatoes and sweet potatoes, grew taller, produced more leaves and rooted better when dosed with rice water. That’s pretty exciting news, considering rice water is so easy to make and is usually just wasted in most home kitchens!

What is rice water made from?

Every time you rinse or boil rice, you create rice water. Both white and brown rice grains are naturally coated in a fine powder, which is actually starch that rice plants produce during the photosynthesis process. Rinsing or cooking rice releases some of this starch, along with a variety of nutrients, into the water, which you can collect to create a homemade liquid fertilizer.

While rice water can help your garden and houseplants grow better and may even encourage outdoor and indoor flowering plants to produce more blooms, this versatile product isn’t just useful for plants. You can often find rice water in many skin-care products too. That said, as popular as these store-bought rice water products are, they are intended for cosmetic use and often contain other ingredients that won’t benefit your garden. So if you want to use rice water for plants, it’s best to make your own at home.

How often should you water your plants with rice water?

You can include rice water in your regular plant-watering regimen, but like most things, it’s best in moderation. Due to the potential for starch buildup, you’ll want to apply rice water to your plants only once a month.

When you’re not using rice water, stick with your typical tap water or rainwater.

Are there any dangers to using rice water on your plants?

Compared with synthetic fertilizers, rice water is very safe to use on plants, and it won’t cause common issues like leaf burn. But rice water does contain a fair amount of starch, which can build up in your plant pots if you use this DIY fertilizer too often.

Rice water will encourage beneficial bacteria to grow in the soil, which can offer a lot of benefits to plants. But an excess of starch can also promote the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi that can lead to issues like root rot. Additionally, when starch builds up in the soil, it can cause the soil to harden and not drain properly, and it may attract starch-eating insects, such as silverfish.

Which plants like rice water?

Both indoor and outdoor plants can benefit from rice water, and it is even safe to use on edible plants in your fruit and vegetable garden. But while rice water can be applied to pretty much any plant, Garner notes that “it can work particularly well for plants that prefer slightly acidic soil, such as peppers, tomatoes, ferns, various types of succulents, spider plants and African violets.”

If you’re looking for an easy way to enhance your pothos plant care, jade plant care or snake plant care regimen—or if you want to grow even healthier garden plants—rice water can help.

Which plants shouldn’t you try this with?

Although rice water can be beneficial to most plants, it isn’t the best choice for hydroponic gardening. In hydroponics, the starch in rice water can build up and cause an overgrowth of fungi and bacteria. This is less likely to occur in plants grown in a soil-based medium, as soils contain certain microorganisms that process starches more efficiently.

Are some types of rice better for plants than others?

The best type of rice for making rice water is whatever rice you like to cook with! You can use any type of rice to make rice water, including brown, white, jasmine and basmati, so there’s no reason to go out and buy a new type of rice for your plants.

That said, don’t use any rice that has added salt or flavoring, as this may impact the growth of your plants or leave you with dead plants.

How to make rice water for plants

You can make rice water for plants using several different methods, including boiling, soaking and fermentation. “Depending on how you do it, you’ll get different results,” says Deacon. “By soaking rice, you get lactic acid bacteria, yeast, enzymes and starches.” All this will feed your plants and can even prevent plant diseases.

Boiling brings its own benefits and drawbacks. “Boiled rice water may contain more nutrients, but heat can degrade the other good parts,” he says. “Or try fermenting and get the best of both worlds. Variety is the spice of life with plants, [so why not] experiment with each method and see how your plants react?”

Below, you’ll find three simple tutorials that will teach you how to create your own rice water for plants. While each technique offers unique benefits, all these methods will produce nutrient-rich rice water that you can use as a deterrent for pests (the way you’d use neem oil for plants), as a liquid fertilizer or as a nutrient boost for plant watering.

How to boil rice to make rice water

Boiling rice water may release more starches and nutrients into the water, giving you lots of added benefits for your plants. To make boiled rice water, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Make rice

Measure out whatever amount of unsalted rice you’d like to use for a recipe and add it to a cooking pot. Pour in a bit more water than you normally would use to cook rice, stir your rice well and then boil it on medium heat for about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of rice you’re using. Don’t use a rice cooker for this.

Step 2: Strain the rice

When your rice is tender, take it off the stove and allow it to cool slightly. Strain the liquid from the rice grains using a fine mesh sieve. Save the liquid in a jar or bowl and allow it to cool completely.

Step 3: Water your plants

Once your rice water has cooled, it’s ready to use on your plants!

How to soak or wash rice to make rice water

Soaking rice to make rice water is probably the easiest method, and it still produces nutrient-rich rice water. To use this method, all you need to do is follow four easy steps.

Step 1: Add rice to a bowl

Measure out whatever quantity of uncooked rice you’d like to use for a recipe and add it to a small bowl.

Step 2: Pour in water

Cover the rice with warm water.

Step 3: Allow the rice to soak

Stir the rice and water well for about two minutes, and then allow the mixture to soak for 30 to 45 minutes.

Step 4: Strain the rice

After it has soaked, give your rice one more stir and then strain the liquid into a jar or bowl. The resulting liquid is your rice water, and you can use it directly on your plants.

How to make fermented rice water

Fermented rice water takes a bit more time to make, but it will contain higher levels of lactic acid bacteria, which can make your plants more resistant to disease and may even prevent powdery mildew on plants. To make fermented rice water, simply follow the steps below.

Step 1: Add your ingredients

First, make rice water using the soaking method listed above.

Next, pour the rice water into a clean jar, filling the container about three-quarters of the way up. Then add one teaspoon of white sugar and four tablespoons of milk—either cow’s or goat’s milk will work—to the rice water and stir the mixture well.

Step 2: Ferment

After blending the rice water mixture, cover the jar loosely with a lid or a bit of cheesecloth. Allow the mixture to ferment for three to four days at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

Step 3: Collect the fermented rice water

After the rice water has fermented for a few days, the liquid should be translucent, and it should have a slightly sour smell, somewhat like pickles. Pour this mixture into a watering can and apply it to your plants as needed.

A word of warning: If the finished rice water smells bad after fermenting, toss it out and start over.

How should you feed your plants with rice water?

Regardless of which method you chose for creating rice water, you can use the finished product as a liquid fertilizer or as an add-on to your standard plant-watering practice. Just keep in mind that rice water is not a balanced fertilizer, and it won’t provide all the nutrients your plants need. Still, it will work very well when used in conjunction with other balanced fertilizers or compost.

To water tropical houseplants or outdoor plants with rice water, simply add the rice water to your watering can and use it on your plants once a month. You can pour rice water at the top of the soil line or use it with bottom-watering methods.

As for fermented rice water, you can add it to a plant sprayer and use it as a foliar spray by spritzing it on leaves. There’s no need to dilute the rice water before use; however, if the rice water is very thick, you may need to add a bit of plain water to the mix to prevent it from clogging garden sprayers and misters.

Though you can use rice water on pretty much any plant, the process for cacti and succulent plant care with rice water is a bit different. Since these plants have lower watering needs, you should mist them with rice water only once a month. To do this, add your rice water to a misting bottle and dilute it if needed. Then lightly spray your succulents and cacti with the liquid, applying it to the plants and the top of the soil line.

Like other homemade plant fertilizers, rice water is most effective when used fresh, as it will contain more nutrients and beneficial microbes. But if you make more rice water than you can use right away, you can store the leftovers in the fridge for up to one week. After that, you can pour any extra water on your compost heap as an accelerator, so nothing goes to waste.

Sources:

FollowTheFlow/Getty ImagesTips for Decorating with Plants
Natasha Breen/Getty ImagesHow to Grow Herbs Indoors
Firn/Getty ImagesA Guide to Prayer Plant Care
How to Use Rice Water on Plants to Make Your Garden Thrive (2024)

FAQs

How to Use Rice Water on Plants to Make Your Garden Thrive? ›

To water tropical houseplants or outdoor plants with rice water, simply add the rice water to your watering can and use it on your plants once a month. You can pour rice water at the top of the soil line or use it with bottom-watering methods.

How do I make rice water for my garden? ›

Fill a pot or rice cooker with rice and water, ideally with a three to one water-to-rice ratio. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes, or use your hand to agitate the grains to accelerate the process of extracting starch and nutrients. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the rice water into a clean container or spray bottle.

Which plants like rice water? ›

This starchy liquid is ready to use on your garden and houseplants, especially African violets, spider plants and succulents. You can also use water left over from cooking rice; just make sure you haven't added salt, which can kill plants.

Is rice water good for tomato plants? ›

More and more scientific work shows that this is true - rice water contains many nutrients needed for plant growth! The study found that rice water used for plants increased the growth of many varieties, including tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, peppers and garlic.

Is soaked rice water good for plants? ›

Using rice water as a natural fertilizer can promote plant growth, increase resistance to pests and diseases, and even enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables. Rice water also helps to improve soil quality and promote healthy root growth.

Is rice water good for garden? ›

Compared with synthetic fertilizers, rice water is very safe to use on plants, and it won't cause common issues like leaf burn. But rice water does contain a fair amount of starch, which can build up in your plant pots if you use this DIY fertilizer too often.

Is overnight rice water good for plants? ›

Yes, they do. In an interview with eHow, houseplant expert Tyler Cross revealed that leftover rice water is plant food. That's why, instead of discarding the water you used to wash your rice, it's actually better to use it as fertilizer for your greenery.

What are the disadvantages of rice water for plants? ›

Disadvantages of Rice Water for Your Garden
  • Leaching of nitrogen ions (in sandy soil)
  • Hardening of the soil crust.
  • Blooming of harmful bacteria and molds.
  • Attracting starch-feasting pests like ants and gnats.
Oct 3, 2023

Is water with banana peel good for plants? ›

Banana peels contain essential nutrients for plant growth, like magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium. The amount of nutrients infused into water is very unlikely to cause fertilizer overdose. However, be aware that it won't be a total replacement for fertilizer across the board.

How is baking soda good for plants? ›

Baking soda's supposed anti-fungal properties have been spread around for many years as a natural home remedy to treat fungal infections, including black spot, powdery mildew, and a multitude of other fungi. When applied to plant leaves and stems, baking soda does slow or stop the growth of fungi.

How do coffee grounds help plants? ›

Coffee tends to be slightly acidic and is therefore good for acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas, as well as nutrient-hungry plants like roses. Coffee grounds are one of many materials said to repel slugs and can be used around their favourite plants such as hostas, though results are not guaranteed.

What liquids help plants grow best? ›

Results: The rainwater and bottled spring water are great at helping plants grow, but the sugar water and salt water actually hurt growing plants. Tap water and distilled water may not hurt the plants, but you'll notice they don't grow as tall and proud as the plants that were fed rain and spring water.

Is boiled potato water good for plants? ›

Potato water is good for indoor plants and gardens

Nourishment for your indoor plants and garden. After you boil the potatoes, remove the water, and allow to cool down. At room temperature, you can add it to your watering can and water your precious plants both indoors and outdoors.

How long can you keep rice water in a spray bottle? ›

Rice water can be stored for up to 24 hours at room temperature and for up to a week in the refrigerator. The batch will ferment and degrade after that time period. It is recommended to use rice water either on the same day or the next and not more than once a day.

Is banana good for your plants? ›

It's very simple and ecological: we let the banana peels macerate in water for a week and then we use the water to fertilize our plants. Bananas are full of potassium, one of the essential nutrients for plant life.

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