Fertilizing houseplants

Step by step

1. Step 1

   Fertilize houseplants mainly in spring and summer

   Growth picks up then, since sunlight gets stronger and days grow warmer and longer.

2. Step 2

   Stop fertilizing during a winter rest period

   If your plant goes dormant for the winter, do not feed it at all while it rests.

3. Step 3

   Skip fertilizer for most indoor plants in winter

   Lower light levels indoors in winter mean most houseplants simply do not need feeding then.

4. Step 4

   Cut back on fertilizer for plants in low light

   Low light indoors reduces how much fertilizer a houseplant actually needs.

5. Step 5

   Wait before fertilizing a new gift plant

   Growers typically fertilize these plants well before shipping, so hold off feeding it for several weeks after it arrives.

6. Step 6

   Choose a fertilizer made for your plant type

   Look for a product that is designated for the specific kind of houseplant you are growing.

7. Step 7

   Pick a complete fertilizer for your indoor garden

   A complete fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and it works well for houseplants.

8. Step 8

   Read the three numbers on the fertilizer label

   Those numbers show the percent by weight of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in that product.

9. Step 9

   Choose a balanced fertilizer for foliage plants

   A formula such as 20-20-20 works well for houseplants grown mainly for their leaves.

10. Step 10

    Choose a higher-phosphorus fertilizer for flowering plants

    A formula such as 15-30-15 suits houseplants grown for their blooms.

11. Step 11

    Use a higher-phosphorus fertilizer on a blooming gift plant

    The middle number on the label shows phosphorus content, and a higher one supports more blooms.

12. Step 12

    Fertilize African violets at every watering

    Use quarter-strength tomato fertilizer each time you water, as long as the plant is actively growing.

13. Step 13

    Lean toward under-fertilizing an African violet

    Too much fertilizer on this plant causes its leaves to turn brown.

14. Step 14

    Fertilize peace lilies at a quarter strength

    Use only one-quarter of the rate printed on the fertilizer label for this plant.

15. Step 15

    Dilute water-soluble fertilizer before you use it

    A dilute solution lowers the chance that the fertilizer will burn the plant.

16. Step 16

    Fertilize every two to three months at full strength

    Use the rate the label recommends, applied on that two- to three-month schedule.

17. Step 17

    Or fertilize at every watering with a very dilute mix

    Dilute the fertilizer to about one-tenth the recommended rate and use it each time you water during the growing season.

18. Step 18

    Or fertilize on a watering schedule instead

    Apply fertilizer every seventh time you water the plant.

19. Step 19

    Resume fertilizing gently once spring arrives

    Use a balanced fertilizer at half strength every two to four weeks.

20. Step 20

    Fertilize rubber plants every two weeks in spring and summer

    Use a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer while the plant is actively growing.

21. Step 21

    Fertilize rubber plants less often in lower light

    A rubber plant kept in brighter light can take more frequent feeding than one kept in low light.

22. Step 22

    Fertilize philodendrons, pothos and monstera regularly

    Use a dilute water-soluble houseplant fertilizer, or switch to a time-release product instead.

23. Step 23

    Fertilize kentia palms only infrequently

    An encapsulated, slow-release fertilizer is ideal for this palm.

24. Step 24

    Flush the soil between feedings

    Run plain water through the pot in between fertilizer applications.

25. Step 25

    Water the soil thoroughly

    Let the excess water flow out through the pot's drain holes.

26. Step 26

    Avoid saturating soil in pots without drainage holes

    Without drain holes, it is important to keep from soaking the soil completely.

27. Step 27

    Water when the soil feels dry an inch down

    Check an inch below the surface, and water once it feels dry there.

28. Step 28

    Keep peace lily soil moist but not soggy

    Let the soil dry out somewhat between each watering.

29. Step 29

    Water rubber plants thoroughly

    Let the soil dry slightly to the touch between waterings.

30. Step 30

    Keep philodendron, pothos and monstera soil evenly moist

    Water often enough to avoid soggy soil, and never let the pot stand in water.

31. Step 31

    Try watering peace lilies from below

    This method works very well for this plant.

32. Step 32

    Watch for a white film or crust on the soil or pot

    A white film on the soil, or a white crust on the rim or drain hole, may signal overfertilizing, overwatering, or both.

33. Step 33

    Watch for signs of over-fertilizing

    These signs include slower growth, brown leaf tips, lower leaves dropping, and wilting.

34. Step 34

    Watch philodendron leaf tips for over-fertilizing

    Too much fertilizer can make the tips curl and turn brown.

35. Step 35

    Watch for salt burn on peace lilies

    Over-fertilizing and salt build-up can burn this plant's leaf tips and roots.

36. Step 36

    Prevent salts from building up in the soil

    That is the most effective way to prevent soluble-salt injury to the plant.

37. Step 37

    Watch for root rot from poor drainage or overwatering

    It usually comes from a soil mix that does not drain quickly, or from watering too often.

38. Step 38

    Give foliage plants enough light before you fertilize

    They need at least 200 footcandles of light for 12 hours a day to show any benefit from feeding.

39. Step 39

    Provide enough light just to maintain plant quality

    About 100 footcandles of light for 12 hours a day will maintain a plant's quality for a year.

40. Step 40

    Check your home's light level before fertilizing heavily

    The inside of a well-lighted home is often under 100 footcandles.

41. Step 41

    Repot in spring only if the plant truly needs it

    Signs it needs more space include roots circling inside the pot, roots pushing through the drain holes, or soil that dries out quickly.

42. Step 42

    Choose the right pot size when you repot

    Pick a pot just one size larger than the current one.

43. Step 43

    Give peace lilies a large pot, but keep them snug

    This plant needs a large pot yet still does best kept somewhat pot-bound.

44. Step 44

    Repot overcrowded philodendron, pothos or monstera any time of year

    Use a general-purpose potting soil for the move.

45. Step 45

    Repot rubber plants in late winter or early spring

    Do this only if the plant actually needs it.

46. Step 46

    Use a rich potting mix for peace lily repots

    Choose a mix that is high in organic matter for this plant.