When you are deciding what the best fertilizer for indoor plants is, there are several factors to consider that will affect your choice. First, what time of year is your plants growing? If your plants are indoors all year, you obviously don’t need to use a fertilizer with stronger nutrients. You simply want one with the correct balance of nutrients for the growing season.
If you have houseplants, most likely your indoor plantings will also be houseplants. Therefore, you will want to fertilize both your outdoor plants and your houseplants. The plants will probably survive indoors, but most of their initial growing period is in the summer months. Since indoor plants require more water, start fertilizing them around May or June, just before the first frost.
Begin applying fertilizer either around spring or early summer, after the first frost. Start off with lower amounts and work your way slowly up to full strength for your indoor plants just before the second frost. Many gardeners start feeding their houseplants in May and June, as well as their outdoor plants. However, there are differences between the types of fertilizers available. Not all fertilizers were created equal.
Check Amazon’s website to learn more about each type of fertilizers and how they compare. Amazon offers both online and local retailers in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Look at the list of ingredients to find Amazon’s best-selling product line, which includes fertilizers such as osmocote, citrus dust, rock phosphate, and copper pellets.
There are two types of ingredients to consider when shopping for a fertilizer. One works well with plants that have a short lifespan such as annuals, perennials, and mini-flowers. The other kind of ingredient works best with long-lasting plants such as shrubs, grass, and trees. Look for products that include both nitrogen and potassium.
Nitrogen-phosphate fertilizer works best with long-lasting plants and is said to “feed the roots while keeping the uppermost leaves green.” This makes it ideal for drought-tolerant plants. On the other hand, potassium is said to “promote root growth and development and increase plant magnesium and calcium.” Potassium forms a protective, non-absorbent shell on top of soil as well as adding trace minerals. It also has a lightening effect on the soil, helping to reduce the need for fertilization with nitrogen. Both are extremely helpful to plants in need of additional nutrients.
Slow-release fertilizers provide a steady source of nutrients. They work best for hardy plants. Slow-release fertilizers are especially important during winter months when temperatures drop. These nutrients are released over a period of about three weeks, instead of all at once as with regular fertilizers. This allows plants to absorb the nutrients more slowly, increasing the chance of successful harvest.
Many indoor plant fertilizers also contain herbs such as alfalfa or other herbs that can be used for pest control. Look for slow-release fertilizers with a sharp ph balance and insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, leafhoppers, aphids, spider mites, and red spider mites. There are also many commercial insecticides available. Look for an insecticide that includes fipronil. Fipronil is linked to a number of health problems such as cancer and depression, so always read the label. Talk with your doctor before using any insecticide, and make sure there are no restrictions in place to protect people with medical issues such as allergies.
Other types of fertilizers are available which do not contain nitrogen and phosphorus. Potassium and magnesium are often added to soils to help maintain a healthy root system. Calcium and potassium work by binding soil particles together. Both of these substances are found in bone and shellfish shells and other foods. These nutrients add more nutrients to the soil, which is delivered to plant roots where they serve as nutrients for plant growth.
The best fertilizer for indoor plants is one that is applied according to instructions. Fertilizer must be applied in the correct ratio in order to maximize its effect. Fertilizer should never be applied to plants until the soil is moist. Wait at least two weeks between application and the expected time of harvest before applying fertilizer. Make sure to thoroughly rinse all containers before proceeding with planting.
You should check the health of your soil and determine how much fertilizer to apply to the plants. Apply fertilizer evenly over the soil, especially in areas where there are weed growth or where the root system is weak. You can mix the liquid fertilizers with the soil before applying it, especially in areas where there are young seedlings emerging. After the plants have been planted, keep them growing by ensuring they get the best nutrition they need by ensuring there is adequate water supply in the soil. As soon as you see signs of weeds appearing, remove them and replace with nutritious soil.
