What Is in Coke That Could Help a Plant Grow?
It began as an attempt at a self-cure for morphine addiction and became the best selling soft drink in the 20th century. Used for many things, from removing bloodstains to cooking, Coca-Cola may even help plants grow. Does this Spark an idea?
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CO2 and Macronutrients
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Coke -- the iconic nickname for Coca-Cola -- contains carbon dioxide. CO2, in turn, contains the macronutrients carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and sodium. These macronutrients provide energy to growing plants when absorbed through the roots. In essence, Coke acts as a fertilizer, fueling photosynthesis.
Caffeine
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Some evidence suggests that the caffeine in Coke may also help plants. Some farmers in India spray their crops with Coca-Cola instead of commercial pesticides. Caffeine is thought to possibly protect from insects, fungus and bacteria and inhibit competing plants.
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So Is Coke Good for Plants?
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While carbonation and caffeine may benefit plant growth, that does not mean Coke is good for your plants. For one thing, Coke contains a lot of sugar, which actually prevents the roots from uptaking water and producing sugar. In addition, Coke is highly acidic. While some plants prefer slightly acidic soils, high acidity normally prevents plants from using nutrients.
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References
- "Time"; Is This the Real Thing? Coca-Cola's Secret Formula Discovered; William Lee Adams; Feb. 2011
- N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Plant Nutrients
- University of Colorado at Boulder; The Effect of Carbonated Water on Green Plants; Lindsay Danzell and Jessica Greenberg; Fall 2002
- "The Guardian"; Things Grow Better with Coke; John Vidal; November 2004
- MadSci Network; Re: Does Caffeine Affect the Growth of Plants?; David Hershey; March 2000
- MadSci Network; Re: Would Plants Grow More Quickly if Watered with a Sugar-Water Solution?; Dave Williams; November 1998
Resources
- Photo Credit George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images
