How To Fertilise Your Indoor Plants
Fertilising your indoor plants are essential so that they can grow bigger, better and more lucious. However, now you may be asking yourself the following questions: how do you do that properly, when should you do it, or even why it is necessary in the first place? It might be a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry! We’ve got you because here is everything you should know before fertilising your indoor plants.
Why Fertilise Your Indoor Plants?
Every indoor plant needs fertilisation to stay healthy and look as it should. Naturally, when outdoor plants get their nutrition, they tend to grow well. However, when placed indoors these plants are cut off from the natural environment where they would otherwise be able to find different minerals and vitamins from decaying natural elements and other plants. Therefore, your indoor plants expect the same care and nurturing from you when you bring them home. Over time with regular watering, your houseplants will clear away nutrients in their soil so that is why you need to replenish these essential minerals. Fertilisers help your indoor plants to thrive and stay lush and healthy at all times.
When To Fertilise Your Indoor Plants?
To maintain the health of your plant, fertilising them is the best choice. It's important to fertilise your indoor plants even when they are thriving excellently so they can maintain the same beautiful look all the time. Traditionally, it is recommended that you need to fertilise your plant in spring and summer and stop fertilising in the winter season. However, this is largely dependent on the type of plant and the environment your home offers. In particular, houseplants of tropical origin can thrive all year with the right conditions so if you are noticing any growth in your tropical houseplants, you might want to keep fertilising them.
Types Of Fertilisers
There are plenty of different fertilisers available for your houseplants. Some houseplants respond to one type of fertiliser better than the other. Consider utilising a complete liquid fertiliser if you're looking for a more general fertiliser that is suitable for most of your indoor plants. This should include a solution composed of equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. That would be the best way to let your houseplants receive an extra boost of essential nutrition. However, it's also essential to read the labels carefully and search for brands that add the specific micronutrients required by each houseplant before fertilising. Indoor plant fertilisers have two different categories - one is organic, and the other is chemical. Below are some examples of both types of fertilisers that are best for your indoor plants.
Organic Fertilisers
- Worm castings
- Kelp
- Fish emulsion
- Compost tea
- Plant extracts
- Bat guano
- Eggshells
- Aquarium water
Chemical Fertilisers
- Complete balanced liquid
- Slow-release fertilizer
- Fertiliser stakes
- Higher ratio of nitrogen for plants’ foliage
Fertilise Whilst Repotting Your Indoor Plants
Another excellent way to provide your indoor plants with all the essential nutrients they need to grow well is to adjust the soil whilst repotting your plants. You can add worm castings or sterile compost in its potting soil to let your plants thrive. Remember one thing while amending the plant’s soil is that it's important to dilute the liquid fertiliser further before using it. To maintain the greenery of your plants, encourage new leaf growth, and promote beautiful vining, fertilising them is a great way to do that.