Best Fertilising Tips for Houseplants

Plant parents often turn a blind eye to fertilise their plants. Without fertilisers, plants struggle to receive nutrients (vital to thrive and survive) from the soil. At the same time, indoor plants are confined to small pots/planters and don't get a continuous supply of nutrients from the soil. Over a period of time, the nutrients in the soil get depleted and your plants also wither due to the lack of food. Therefore, feeding the plants with fertilisers properly is vital for their good health and happiness. Know how to keep your plant looking happy with these best fertilising tips for houseplants.

When is the Best Time to Fertilise the Plants?

The best time to fertilise the plants is from March to September. Since plants begin to thrive during Spring, feed your plants every 2-3 weeks and avoid fertilising after that. When the days get shorter, plants don’t show much new growth and will take up less water and nutrients.

How to Apply Fertiliser?

As stated by the experts, it’s always better to under-fertilise than over-fertilise. Before you fertilise your plants, dilute the fertiliser with water. This will prevent the burning of roots and better fertiliser absorption due to moist soil. Do not forget to clear out the excess fertiliser water from the water runoff dish (if any).

What Kind of Fertiliser Should You Use?

A rule of thumb is to know the N (Nitrogen)-P (Phosphorus)-K (Potassium) ratio - primary macronutrients every plant requires. The ratio should look like 15-30-15. The presence of other macronutrients - iron, copper, manganese, zinc, chloride, etc. - would make your fertiliser a whole package. For houseplants, you can ideally go for all-balanced fertilisers (10-10-10). There is also a water-soluble fertiliser, especially a rich fish emulsion fertiliser that is a lot better than chemical fertiliser. If you are new to the indoor plant fertilising thing, go for chemical fertilisers that have a balanced amount of micro and macronutrients.

Pro-Tips for Fertilising Houseplants:

- Flowering plants require more fertiliser in their lifetimes.

- Always follow the instructions provided on the fertiliser labels.

- Too much fertiliser can kill a plant.

- Eggshells, coffee grounds, aquarium water and Epsom salt make great homemade fertilisers and nourish your houseplants naturally.