Does Black Tea Residue Mulch Improve Growth in Household Potted Plants? — A study on Epipremnum Hureum, Mentha Haplocalyx, and Allium Fistulosum

Abstract

This study investigated whether pretreated black tea residue mulch (2.0±0.1 cm) promotes the height and stem diameter of three common household potted plants: Epipremnum aureum (pothos), Mentha haplocalyx (mint), and Allium fistulosum (green onion). A 6-week controlled experiment was conducted with 90 seedlings (30 per species), split into control (no mulch) and treatment (tea residue mulch) groups under consistent environmental conditions (23±2 °C, 50±10% humidity). Weekly measurements of height, stem diameter, soil pH, and moisture were recorded, with two-way ANOVA and curvilinear regression used for statistical analysis. Results confirmed significant growth promotion (p<0.05) from tea residue mulch for all species: mint showed the largest height increase, green onion a late-stage growth amplification, and pothos an early, stable response. Mechanistically, mulch enhanced growth via gradual nutrient release, soil moisture retention, and improved soil microenvironment. This research validates black tea residue as an effective, sustainable organic mulch for home gardening, linking kitchen waste reuse to enhanced potted plant growth, and provides species-specific practical recommendations for gardeners.