Fertilizers shelf at garden center

Iron cross begonia needs extra nutrient iron

Fertilizing tips for your house plants vary according to the individual plant’s need, home or greenhouse environment, and the season of the year.

Key elements that house plants require are nitrogen, phosphorus (P) and potassium or potash (K).

With few exceptions, tropical plants are low constant feeders, meaning using a water soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro™, Schultz™ All Purpose Plant Food 10-15-10 or Jacks™. Feed at one-half package directions twice monthly. Orchids need fertilizing once monthly at the one-half rate.

Light quality and duration (photoperiod) coupled with the surrounding room temperature also are key determinants of a plants’s nutritional need.  Late winter and spring flowering house plants benefit from feedings every 2-3 weeks during the period that they’re blooming. For example, African violets and other gesneriads spring into flower

When a house plant is blooming heavily, offer them a balanced diet on 1:2 :1 ratio every 2-3 weeks. Shade tropicals such as philodendrons, calatheas, peperomias, dracaenas, et.al. want little nutrition during the winter months.

Some house plants benefit being planted in an acidic-based potting soil (media) because they require some minor nutrients like iron and manganese. These elements are more available (soluble) is greater in acidic (peat-based) media. Ferns and begonias are examples.

In general, cacti and succulents can survive with little supplemental feeding. However, they grow and bloom more profusely when fed regularly. Feed them with a specialist cactus food that provides the right balance of nutrients. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as they can promote soft, weak growth. Apply cactus fertilizer every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer only.

Finally, special fertilizer products are available for certain plants that require minor nutrients like iron (FE), manganese (MN, boron (BO), and/or molybdenum (MO). Epsom salts, sold in pharmacies, is a good source of magnesium (MG).