How to Use Groundnut Fertilizer: Benefits, NPK & Best Application Tips

Groundnut Fertilizer: An Organic Boost for Healthy Plants

If you are into container gardening, you may have heard of “Groundnut cake fertilizer,” – a 100% organic, chemical-free, and easy-to-use. Many gardeners love to use it because of its rich nutrients and ability to keep plants healthy. In this article, you will learn its NPK value, an easy way to make it at home, and the right way to apply it to your plants so you can use it safely.

Quick summary:

• What: Groundnut cake = organic fertilizer, byproduct of the peanut oil
• Good for: leafy & heavy-feeding plants
• When not to use: in seedlings, or in extreme heat (above 35°C)
• Precautions: do not use as foliar spray; dilute liquid tonic before use

What is Groundnut Cake Fertilizer?

Groundnut cake (Peanut cake) is an organic fertilizer obtained from the byproduct of the peanut oil extraction process. It is chemical-free and serves as an excellent organic fertilizer rich in nutrients beneficial for plant growth.

The composition of groundnut cake includes essential elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), commonly referred to as NPK, along with fibers and proteins. 

Groundnut Cake Fertilizer Benefits for Plant Growth

When used correctly, groundnut cake fertilizer:

• encourages new leaves and branches,
• prevents and reverse yellowing leaves,
• restores healthy leaf color in stressed plants,
• accelerates the process of photosynthesis for faster growth,
• boost overall plant growth.

How to Make & Use Groundnut Cake Fertilizer at Home

Groundnut cake is easily available in nearby factories where oil is extracted from crushed peanuts. Besides this, it is easily available online, and you can buy it from any genuine website.

There are three ways to add groundnut fertilizer to your plants:

• Adding it to the soil mix
• Adding it to potting soil
• Using it as a liquid fertilizer

Method 1 — Add to Soil Mix

• Grind the groundnut cake to a fine powder using a mortar or grinder,
• Mix a handful of powder to approximately 5 kg of potting mix (soil mix),
• Use this soil mix when repotting, transplanting, etc.

Method 2 — Add to Pot Soil (Top-dress)

• Loosen the soil and directly add groundnut cake powder to the pot soil.
• For a 12-inch pot, sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of powdered groundnut cake on top and lightly mix into the soil.
• Water the pot after applying so the nutrients start releasing slowly.

Method 3 — Liquid Groundnut Fertilizer (Tonic)

1. Add 100 grams of groundnut cake in 4-4.5 liters of water in a covered bucket or container.
2. Keep the solution in a shade for 2 days (48 hrs) with no direct sunlight exposure. Stir once during this time.
3. Strain the mixture to remove solids.
4. Before using, dilute this tonic with a significant amount of water; for example, add 2 mugs of this solution to 40 liters of water.  The final solution should be thin and watery.

Small garden tip:

• For 20 plants, take 2 small pieces of groundnut cake, dissolve them in 1 liter of water, and allow the mixture to dissolve for 2 days.
• After 2-3 days, dilute it with 8-10 times the amount of water before applying it to the plants.