Is Cigar Ash Good for Plants?

Can cigar ash prove to be the secret ingredient your plants are missing? Will it be a good unconventional fertilizer? Time to find out!

As the name implies, it is a byproduct of smoking cigars and includes the minerals left after the leaves of tobacco are burnt. It may have traces of:

Note: The exact composition depends on the type of tobacco leaves used and the growing conditions of the plant – so it may vary. 

How to Use: Add a tablespoon of cigar ash to the growing medium (Mix well in the soil) once every 2-3 months. Do not overdo – it may have negative effects.

Cigar ash also have heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and nickel, which can hamper the growth of plants in the longer run. It can also make the soil excessively alkaline if used in too much quantity and result in salt buildup.

Avoid using it in plants that prefer acidic growing mediums, like blueberries and azaleas.

Cigar ash can be good for experimentation (Take two potted plants – use cigar ash in one, and don’t use anything in the other, for comparison), but we strongly recommend not using it on a regular basis (Once in 5-6 months would be a good idea). It will do more harm than good.