As plant parents, we all want our green babies to grow up strong and healthy. But even with the best thoughts and prayers, they might still need a little extra boost. That's where fertilizers come in! Here are seven key things you should know about fertilizing your houseplants.
1. Fertilizers: Essential Plant Supplement for Indoor Plants
Just like people need food to stay healthy, plants need nutrients to grow strong and beautiful. While outdoor plants can often get some nutrients naturally from the environment around them in the ground, indoor plants, especially those in containers, don’t have that advantage. Over a very short time, the soil in pots lose nutrients, and those nutrients aren’t naturally replaced.
This is why fertilizing indoor plants is so important! Fertilizers (aka "plant food") can give them the nutrients they’re missing, helping them grow lush leaves, strong roots, and stay healthy in their containers. Without fertilizing, indoor plants can struggle to survive—but with the right care, they can thrive and brighten any space.2. Lighting Matters, Fertilizer Can't Replace It
No amount of fertilizer can compensate for inadequate lighting. In fact, without enough light, fertilizer can quickly kill your plant. Plants need light for photosynthesis and for the ability to uptake those nutrients, so make sure your plant buddies are getting the right amount of sunshine.
Ensure your plants get enough light before fertilizing; they need it to process nutrients. Otherwise, fertilizing in low light might do more harm than good.
3. Nitrogen: The Leafy Plant’s Best Friend
For lush, leafy greens, nitrogen is key. A fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content (the first number in the NPK ratio) supports vigorous leaf growth. This is particularly important for plants like monsteras, and ficus varieties, where big leaves is the star of the show. Bless Your Soil® provides a unique plant food houseplants, Big Green Leaves™, as well as a specialty ficus plant food, Fiddle Leaf Treats® that offer high nitrogen ratios for big leaf plants.
4. Don't Mix Your Fertilizers
It might be tempting to mix different fertilizers, thinking it could provide your plants with 'the best of both worlds'. However, mixing can lead to nutrient imbalances, potentially harming your plants. It's best to stick to one well-formulated product.
5. Right Fertilizer, Right Frequency
Fertilizing your plants isn’t just about what you use—it’s about when and how often. Most houseplants benefit from fertilizing during their active growing season (spring and summer), when they’re using up nutrients quickly. Over-fertilizing during their dormant months (fall and winter) can do more harm than good. So, cut back their meals a bit during these months for best results.
6. Organic vs. Fast-Acting Fertilizers
However, fully organic fertilizers can sometimes fall short for indoor plants. Lower microbial activity indoors can slow nutrient breakdown, leading to inconsistent feeding. Plus, some organic fertilizers may alter soil properties, attract pests, or produce odors—none of which are ideal for houseplants.
By combining the best of science and nature, our fertilizers provide a balanced, gentle, and effective solution, ensuring your plants get the nutrients they need without the downsides.
7. Busting the Banana Water Myth
DIY solutions like banana water might sound appealing, but can we please stop this fad? It's not super effective. Banana water not only makes your plants smell like rotten bananas, they can attract pests and won't provide a balanced nutrient profile. It’s better to rely on scientifically formulated fertilizers for consistent results.
In conclusion, getting to know the nitty-gritty of fertilization can really change the game for your indoor garden. Opt for hybrid fertilizers like Bless Your Soil®, which blend the best of science and nature, offering instant feed, non-burning, and gentle nutrition tailored for your indoor plants. Remember, a bit of know-how and the right kind of plant food can turn your plant corner into a thriving green paradise.