How to Use Banana Peels as Natural Fertilizer (Stop Throwing Them Away!)

Let’s talk banana peels. What if I told you those peels are actually a plant-loving, nutrient-packed natural fertilizer and pest repellent.

I’m all about keeping things low-maintenance, low-waste, and always looking for ways to reuse what I already have. And banana peels? They’re top tier when it comes to feeding your plants naturally whether you’re growing tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers, and even your houseplants!

Bananas are rich in potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. These nutrients support strong roots, leafy growth, and vibrant blooms. So if you’re looking for a free, easy, and organic way to care for your plants, keep reading.

Here’s How I Use Banana Peels in My Garden + Home:

1. Banana Peel Fertilizer Spray 💦

Blend banana peels with water, strain, and pour into a spray bottle. Use it to mist the soil or leaves of your flowering plants weekly. It gives an instant potassium boost, which is key for healthy blooms and fruiting.

2. Banana Peel Tea ☕

This is a mild, nutrient-rich soak that your greens will love. Just steep chopped banana peels in hot water overnight, let it cool, and water your plants with it the next day. It’s perfect for leafy greens, herbs, and houseplants that need a little love.

3. Fermented Banana Juice

This one’s for the gardeners who want to go deeper. Let your peels sit in water for about 1–2 weeks in a loosely covered jar. Then dilute 1:10 with water and use it once a month for a slow-release nutrient hit.

I won’t lie…it smells. But your blooming plants will thrive, especially tomatoes, peppers, and fruiting veggies.

4. Bury & Forget 🌱

Simple, underrated, and effective. Chop up banana peels and bury them 2–3 inches deep in the soil near your plant roots. Worms and microbes will break them down and enrich your soil naturally over time.

Pro tip: Bury small bits in your houseplants too. They won’t attract pests, quite the opposite actually. It also works as a natural pest repellent. Don’t ask me how, but I can vouch that it works!

Potassium-packed, worm-approved, garden gold.

Why I Do This

In my house, we go through a lot of bananas. Eggs, too. And don’t get me started on coffee. So instead of sending all those scraps to the landfill, I keep a stash of these food scraps in a Tupperware in my fridge until I’m ready to use them. Other scraps end up in my compost bin.

Gardening doesn’t have to be deep, complicated, or expensive. It can be a quiet act of care, a daily reminder that you’re capable of growing something real even from what others throw away.

Ready to try it?

Start saving your banana peels, brew up some tea for your plants, and let me know how it goes.

Have your own method? Share it in the comments.

Which method are you trying?