Fertilize your indoor plants in the spring and summer to promote growth and to give your plant a little boost. It is best to fertilize during this time when your plant is in its natural growth phase. Follow the Grow-How® Team‘s step-by-step guide to walk you through how to fertilize your indoor plants.
Step 1
Trim and remove dead or dying leaves from your plant with sharp scissors or pruning shears, wiping with rubbing alcohol between each snip. This will help the plant send energy to the healthiest leaves, as yellow and brown crispy leaves will not turn green again. Gently remove fallen leaves from the soil to ensure even distribution of the fertilizing liquid.
Step 2
Never apply fertilizer to dry soil. It’s important that the soil is evenly moist before adding the fertilizing liquid. Water until water drips from the pot into the saucer. Be sure to discard any water left in the saucer after the pot is done dripping. Our Grow-How® Team recommends watering a day or two before you’d like to fertilize.
Step 3
Prepare your fertilizing liquid according to the directions on the label. If you’re nervous about over-fertilizing, it’s OK to dilute your fertilizing liquid with water to half-strength. Over-fertilizing can lead to damaged root systems, “burned” leaf tips, and stunted growth.
Step 4
Carefully and evenly pour the fertilizing liquid over the top of the soil, allowing it to absorb into the soil. Continue adding liquid until it begins to drip from the drainage hole.
Grow-How® Pro Tip:
If it the potting soil of your plant has completely dried out, it’s important to re-hydrate it before fertilizing. You may notice the soil has pulled away from the edges of the pot or water doesn’t want to absorb into it. If this is the case, your plant will benefit from deep watering via the bottom- or soak-watering method.
To bottom-water your plant, fill a sink with 2”-4” of water, depending on the size of your plant. Set the plant in the water without the saucer to allow it to soak up water through the bottom drainage hole, leaving it for 20-30 minutes or until you see the top of the soil getting a bit moist. Remove the plant from the water and allow excess water to drain from the pot for about 10 minutes. Your plant should feel much heavier after soaking up some water! Finally, place the plant back on the saucer, making sure there is no standing water, and a few days later you’ll be ready to add some fertilizer.
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FAQs
When they're more actively growing in the spring and summer, they benefit from a little liquid fertilizer mixed into their water about once a month. If you're not one to remember to do that, go for slow-release granules or a nutrient tab you can just push into the soil every few months or so.
What is the most effective way of applying fertilizer? ›
The most effective way to apply fertilizer for maximum yield is through precision methods like soil testing and variable rate application, which tailor fertilizer types and amounts to specific crop and soil needs, optimizing nutrient utilization and minimizing waste.
How do you properly fertilize? ›
Here's how to do it.
- Water your lawn. A few days before you feed your lawn, give it a good watering. ...
- Pick the best spreader for your lawn. Spreaders fall into two main categories: broadcast and drop. ...
- Apply grass fertilizer around the perimeter. ...
- Fill in the middle. ...
- Properly handle remaining product.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are needed in larger amounts than other nutrients; they are considered primary macronutrients. Secondary macronutrients include sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. Micronutrients such as iron and copper are necessary in much smaller amounts.
What is the best way to fertilize soil? ›
The proper amount of fertilizer is spread evenly over the garden and mixed with the soil to a depth of 3 to 4 inches before rows are made. This method is the least likely to cause plant damage and usually is best for home gardeners. Band or row applications.
How to get free fertilizer? ›
These are just a few:
- Coffee grounds. ...
- Eggshells are about 96% calcium. ...
- Banana and potato peels are loaded with potassium! ...
- Citrus peels dried and blitzed into a powder are a nutrient rich addition for the soil. ...
- Outdated herbs and spices still have plant nutritional value. ...
- Beer NOT! ...
- Grass clippings. ...
- Manure.
Coffee Grounds, Cinnamon and Club Soda
The combination of this homemade plant food contains NPK (plus other minerals) and takes no time to put together. You'll need four to six tablespoons of coffee grounds, one teaspoon of cinnamon and one cup of club soda.
Which fertilizer is best for all plants? ›
Nitrogen helps produce green leaves and stems, phosphorus helps produce root development, and potassium helps the plant withstand stress from heat or cold. A good all-purpose fertilizer would be a 10-10-10 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). This type of fertilizer will work well for most plants and soil types.
What fertilizer makes plants grow faster? ›
High-nitrogen fertilizers are known for causing huge growth in plants, which is why many types are rich in nitrogen or include it as the main component. Fertilizers high in nitrogen will also restore bright green hues to your foliage.
How to apply fertilizer to plants? ›
Simply apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, extending to the drip line. For vegetables, place the fertilizer in a strip parallel to the planting row.
Soil fertility can be further improved by incorporating cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, which leads to improved soil structure and promotes a healthy, fertile soil; by using green manure or growing legumes to fix nitrogen from the air through the process of biological nitrogen fixation; by micro-dose ...
How do you add fertilizer to potted plants? ›
How to Apply Fertilizer. It's easier than you think, but don't just tip fertilizer into your potted plants. Hillman recommends diluting the fertilizer in a ratio of ¼ to ½ teaspoon fertilizer per gallon of water. "I tell people to dilute it a little more than the package says to be on the safe side," he says.
What is the process needed to fertilize plants? ›
plant fertilization is the joining of male and female gametes, resulting in a zygote. The most generalized form of this process requires four steps: pollination, germination, penetration of the ovule, and fertilization. After fertilization, the zygote divides to form an embryo.
Should you water plants before or after fertilizing? ›
You should water granular fertilizer immediately after it is applied to your plants. Granular fertilizer needs the help of water for it to activate, so it will have no effect on your garden if you forget to water after adding it. For liquid fertilizer, you should wait longer before watering your plants.
Which fertilizer is best for plants? ›
Nitrogen helps produce green leaves and stems, phosphorus helps produce root development, and potassium helps the plant withstand stress from heat or cold. A good all-purpose fertilizer would be a 10-10-10 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). This type of fertilizer will work well for most plants and soil types.
