Best liquid fertilizer for indoor plants

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We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. The most important difference between strong, healthy houseplants and weak, sickly ones is the care they receive. All plants have the same essential requirements for survival: sunlight, water, and nutrients. Most houseplants thrive on regular feedings with a high-quality, general-purpose fertilizer. The best fertilizer for indoor plants is one that provides a balance of the essential plant nutrients nitrogen N , phosphorus P , and potassium K.

Best liquid fertilizer for indoor plants

Having spent a decent amount let's not get into exactly how much , on your indoor jungle, of course you want to look after your green buddies as best you can. Soon after most of us start the hobby, we also start the hunt for 'the perfect fertiliser'. And boy can that get confusing real fast. Every fertiliser company seems to claim the same things. But surely they can't all be the same, right? Do you just buy the big brand you've heard of? Or the one that geeks you out with the most impressive sounding science? Maybe you get a second opinion and ask what your fellow plant besties feed their jungle? Not to mention what plant-tubers and planty-influencers use no, not the sponsored stuff, what they actually use , especially if they grow their plants to sell. After all, they rely on plants for their livelihood, so what they feed really matters, especially considering the value of their plant collections! Plus they often get gifted all the fertilisers to try, so if one works better for them than others, they have done the testing for you. If you prefer to do the research and then 'test the best' for yourself - or you're just a plant-geek like me and want to know what your plants need and why - this guide is for you. But if you just want me to help you pick the best one to match your plants and your needs, email me instead. But be warned , this is one of those guides you'll probably skim through right now, but will want to bookmark for later, as there's so much to learn. But by the end of this I hope you'll feel upskilled enough to make an educated decision for yourself on the best fertiliser for your indoor plants.

A beneficial mineral by definition is not essential to life. This one surprised me too.

Light drives the production of sugars, which are made from water and carbon dioxide but the physical plant structures and all the cell processes require other elements:. Macronutrients required in greater amounts : nitrogen N , phosphorus P , potassium K , calcium Ca , sulfur S , and magnesium Mg. While all plants require all of the macro and micronutrients, they need them in different amounts — and through years of plant cultivation, professionals have a good sense for what ratios are best suited to different types of growing. Maintaining houseplants is a relatively easy growing task compared to agriculture or more specialized plants. While other disciplines of growing may require different fertilizers for different applications, the fertilizer NPK ratio that you can use with ALL your houseplants is By the way, if you want to learn houseplant care in a way that just makes sense, check out my online course — less blindly following rules; more logical understanding of plants and enjoying their ups and downs.

Houseplant fertilizers help feed indoor plants with all the nutrients they need to thrive. The best indoor plant fertilizers should contain a balance of minerals to ensure plants have healthy roots, lush foliage, and beautiful flowers. Fertilizers for houseplants can be like liquid plant food, nutrient-rich granules, or slow-releasing pods. Choosing the best type of houseplant fertilizer can be tricky. Although there are types of all-purpose liquid plant food, some houseplants have specific nutrient requirements. So, you need to choose one that contains the right balance of micro- and macro-nutrients that individual house plants need. This article contains a complete guide to houseplant fertilizers. You will learn about the various types of organic and liquid plant fertilizers.

Best liquid fertilizer for indoor plants

Our testing team independently researches, tests, and recommends the best products to help keep your houseplants absolutely thriving. Learn more about our testing and review process here. There are just about as many liquid fertilizers out there as stars in the sky.

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But surely they can't all be the same, right? Some studies into how minerals support flowering, actually suggest it's the reduced nitrogen , not the increase in phosphorus and potassium like most 'bloom boosters' do , that has more impact on shifting a plant from foliage to flowering. The plant food is also fortified with humic acid, a naturally occurring substance in soil that regulates pH, increases water retention, and promotes nutrient uptake by plants. Every fertiliser company seems to claim the same things. When I dosed my potted houseplants with Dyna-Gro, they loved it. Outdoors this isn't a biggie. Well, about the lab coat bit. Before working on this article, I was intimidated by fertilizer, which seemed like an impenetrable maze of chemical symbols, ratios, acronyms, and hyperspecific nutrient blends. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. When you think of salt, you might think of table salt sodium chloride , but you're not likely find sodium chloride listed in your fertiliser ingredients.

We all want our houseplants to be healthy and gorgeous. What often keeps us from achieving that, is the misconception that indoor plant care is a one-size-fits-all deal. So, how do you ensure proper nutrition for them all, without breaking the bank?

How Often to Fertilize Indoor Plants While this plant food is suitable for all plants, the frequency each plant will need it every month will vary depending on the plant. Fertiliser burn happens when minerals salts from fertiliser get to high concentrations in the soil. Not a fertiliser. That's why you don't see 'no salt' or 'salt free' complete and balanced fertilisers. Leave those yellow leaves on. Dehydration is challenging to reverse, but once you give your plants enough water, it will promote new growth. A beneficial mineral by definition is not essential to life. When I bought it, my plants were looking a bit stretchy, so I chose it for the proportionally lower nitrogen levels. These ingredients create a living ecosystem in the plant root zone that is more like natural soil, instead of an inert substrate. PS: I also hope I made this obvious multiple times along the way, but this still has to be said: Just like human nutrition, there are lots of opinions on what's best for plant nutrition. But by the end of this I hope you'll feel upskilled enough to make an educated decision for yourself on the best fertiliser for your indoor plants. To be able to claim a fertiliser is 'complete' it needs to provide plants with the 3 primary macro-minerals: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nutrient levels: Medium: Dry blend Organic or synthetic: Organic, OMRI-listed Some fertilizers have a blend of nutrients optimized for the growth cycle of edible plants, like herbs, vegetables, and tomatoes.