Benefits of Seaweed

Why did the seaweed go to the party?

Because it wanted to kelp everyone have a good time! 🌊😂

Seaweed is collected from being washed up on the beach.

I’ve recently been experimenting with seaweed fertiliser for my plants—because why not? It’s always fun to try new things and dig into the research to figure out what works (or doesn’t) for the little ecosystems we create for our plants. So, I decided it was time to do some investigating into seaweed as a fertiliser for my houseplants.

In my research, I discovered some pretty cool things about what seaweed can offer. I’ve heard of people using it in their gardens for tomatoes, roses, and loads of other plants. Turns out, seaweed can be used in a variety of ways: as a soil conditioner, a fertiliser, a compost booster, or even turned into a liquid fertiliser spray. How neat is that? 🌱 So, let’s dive into some of the ways seaweed can help with growing houseplants.

Seaweed

Seaweed is technically a plant—but it’s not your typical garden variety. “Seaweed” is the catch-all name for countless species of marine plants and algae that thrive in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other watery hangouts. It’s a major MVP in aquatic ecosystems, providing homes for marine life and a food source for many animals.

Seaweed comes in all shapes and sizes. Take kelp, for example—it’s like the skyscraper of the sea, creating underwater jungles that stretch from the seafloor to the surface. These kelp forests offer shelter, hiding spots for prey, and nourishment for tons of creatures.

There are about 650 types of seaweed (who knew?!), including Bladderwrack, Knotted Wrack, Sugar Kelp, Dabberlocks, Serrated Wrack, Spiral Wrack, Channelled Wrack, and Thongweed. These varieties, all native to the UK, have a clever trick up their sleeves: they float to soak up the sunlight they need for photosynthesis. Pretty impressive, right? 🌊

Photo credit: Mike Guiry, Keith Hiscock, Lucy Robinson, Juliet Brodie, Meet the Seaweed types, 21st January 2024

What Makes Seaweed Important to Growing House Plants.

Did you know seaweed is like nature’s multi-tool? You can collect it from the beach and put it to good use instead of letting it go to waste! Packed with goodies like minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, iron, and zinc, seaweed has been a superstar for humans and plants for centuries—since Roman times, no less! 🏛️

When it comes to plants, seaweed is basically their personal health coach. It’s loaded with nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and trace elements that can boost disease resistance and improve overall health. So, next time you see some seaweed, think of it as a gift from the ocean to your garden! 🌱✨

The Magical Benefits of Seaweed for Plants

Seaweed isn’t just the ocean’s version of confetti—it’s also a powerhouse for your plants! 🌊 Whether you mix it into compost or add it straight to your soil, seaweed breaks down beautifully and releases all its natural goodness. It’s like a spa day for your plants, and who doesn’t love that? 🌱✨

Here’s why seaweed deserves the spotlight in your plant care routine:

• Soil Supercharger: Got tired soil? Seaweed to the rescue! It’s packed with nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and iodine, giving your soil the TLC it needs to help plants thrive.

• Green Machine Booster: With goodies like chlorophyll, iron, zinc, and manganese, seaweed helps your plants produce even more chlorophyll (basically their energy drink). More chlorophyll means more sunlight absorbed, more carbon dioxide turned into energy, and overall happier plants. 🍃

• Fruits & Leaves Galore: Thanks to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, seaweed helps your plants grow lush leaves and bountiful fruits. Think of it as a plant productivity coach. 💪🌸

• Natural Pest Bouncer: Seaweed has a salty attitude, a funky smell, and a texture that pests like spider mites and aphids just can’t vibe with. Its compounds act like an eco-friendly “No Entry” sign for unwanted guests. 🌿 (Bonus: It’s safe for your plants and the environment!)

For more cool pest-repelling facts, check out Aqua Culture.

Pro Tip for Buying Seaweed Fertilisers
If you’re ready to hop on the seaweed train (choo choo 🚂), make sure the seaweed is responsibly sourced. I can’t recommend Aqua Culture enough—they’ve got top-notch products, and you can snag a discount with the code JUNGLE15. Your plants and your wallet will thank you! 🌟

I hope this little blog brought some seaweed magic to your day and gave you ideas for pampering your jungle. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, roses, or just trying to keep your leafy green buddies happy, seaweed is a game-changer.

Happy growing, plant fam! 🌿💚

Citations and recourses:

https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/citizen-science/big-seaweed-search/meet-the-seaweeds/