Can You Compost Citrus Peels? (Yes, You Can)
A few of the product links in this guide are affiliate links. If you buy through one, Ambitious Harvest may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep these guides free. We only point to gear we would use in our own Santa Cruz garden. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Read our full disclosure.
The Verdict: Busted. Citrus peels compost just fine. They break down slower than some materials but are a perfectly safe addition to your pile.
Why People Believe This
This myth comes from a few directions. Some people heard that citrus oils kill beneficial microbes in compost. Others were told that worms in vermicompost (worm bins) hate citrus. And some composting guides from decades ago listed citrus as a material to avoid without much explanation. The caution got passed along until it became an unquestioned rule, and gardeners have been guiltily throwing orange peels in the trash ever since.
What the Research Says
UC composting guidance lists citrus rinds among materials suitable for a conventional compost pile. Chop or tear large peels and mix them with a varied blend of moist green and dry brown materials so the pile remains aerated and balanced.
Worm-bin guidance is more cautious than conventional compost guidance. UC Master Gardener guidance says to keep citrus to a minimum, while Oregon State Extension advises leaving citrus peels out of worm bins because highly acidic foods can create unsuitable conditions. Follow the guidance for the system you use and watch how the bin responds.
What to Do Instead
For a conventional compost pile, chop citrus peels and mix them throughout the pile with other food scraps and dry carbon-rich material. For a worm bin, UC guidance says to keep citrus to a minimum and Oregon State advises excluding citrus peels; use another composting method if you have a large quantity.
This week: Add your next batch of citrus peels to your compost pile chopped into small pieces, mixed with dry leaves or shredded cardboard.
For more on composting, check out our free Composting Basics Guide at Your Garden Toolkit.
Keep Reading
- Composting 101 for California Gardeners
- Setting Up a Worm Bin in Your Backyard
- What Can and Can't Go in Your Compost
Frequently Asked Questions
Will citrus peels kill the microbes in my compost?
UC composting guidance includes citrus rinds on its do-compost list. Mix them with a variety of green and brown materials rather than concentrating a large quantity in one spot.
How should I add citrus peels to my compost?
Chop them into small pieces so they break down faster, and mix them in with other materials like leaves, cardboard, and food scraps rather than dumping them in one spot. This keeps the pile balanced and decomposing evenly.
Can I put citrus in a worm bin?
Guidance differs, but both sources urge caution: UC says to keep citrus to a minimum, and Oregon State advises leaving citrus peels out. When in doubt, put citrus in a conventional compost pile instead of the worm bin.
