Everyone enjoys the beauty of a healthy thriving houseplant. To properly care for indoor plants, provide adequate light and water. In addition, most houseplants require fertiliser to supply the nutrients they need to flourish. It is important to research and understand the unique needs of each type of plant. Often when indoor plants fail to bloom, develop yellow leaves or stunted growth, it is a sign they need fertiliser.
Many common indoor plants thrive on all-purpose water-soluble houseplant fertiliser. A water-soluble fertiliser is a concentrated mix of nutrients that gardeners add to water for feeding plants. It is a quick and easy way to feed plants weekly, biweekly or monthly. Plants require nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Fertiliser labels list the N-P-K ratios by numbers such as 5-10-10. A brand-name liquid fertiliser will include proper amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in addition to other micronutrients and trace elements. Fertiliser labels often list the plants they best feed. Foliage plants prefer fertiliser high in nitrogen and blooming plants need fertiliser higher in phosphorus. Some indoor plants, such as orchids or citrus types, will require specific fertilisers. Indoor plants grow and bloom vigorously when fed on a regular schedule.
In addition to fertilising the roots of indoor plants, some gardeners apply fertiliser to the leaves. Once again, it is important to know the individual care requirements for each of your indoor plants. African violets, for example, do not tolerate having wet leaves. Many other houseplants will benefit from a diluted application of fertiliser to their leaves. The key is to use a weak concentration, as a heavy concentration of fertiliser can burn leaves. Gardeners make organic foliar fertiliser by diluting fish emulsion fertiliser with water and spraying it on indoor plant leaves. Another organic foliar fertiliser rich in nutrients is compost or manure tea. Making the tea requires soaking compost or manure in water until the water is brown.
Homemade Organic Liquid Fertilizer
Rather than purchase a chemically produced commercial fertiliser, some gardeners have great success with making their own organic liquid fertiliser for houseplants. Organic fertilisers release slowly into the soil and are less likely to damage or burn the plant. To make a nutritious liquid organic fertiliser add the following ingredients to 1 gallon of water, 1 cup manure or compost tea, 29.6ml. blackstrap molasses, 28.4gr. liquid seaweed, or 1 tsp if seaweed is dry, and 29.6ml. of natural apple cider vinegar. Use this mixture to water indoor plants as needed.
Miscellaneous Liquid Fertilizers
You have nutritious liquids in your home and kitchen that are excellent liquid fertilisers for indoor plants. Pour cool brewed black coffee over the soil of indoor plants. If the coffee is strong, it is best to dilute it with water first. Herbal and black tea that are brewed and cooled can also be used as fertiliser. Be sure the coffee or tea does not have any additional ingredients such as milk or sweetener. When cleaning a fresh water aquarium, use the old water for plant feedings. If the tank water is especially dirty, dilute it with water first before using on plants. The water left from rinsing white sticky rice is full of nutrients plants can use. When steaming vegetables save the water, and when cooled it can be used to feed houseplants.
- Learn2Grow: The Need to Feed: How to Fertilize Houseplants
- University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Fertilizing Houseplants
- New Mexico State University Extension: Organic Foliar Fertilizer
- House Plant Growing: Caring for Houseplants
- Urban Homestead: Lawn Liberation
- Plantea: Aquarium Water and Coffeegrounds