Fertilizing your houseplants leads to healthy, lush growth. Here are 3 easy ways to fertilize your houseplants so they grow healthy and strong. Learn how to effectively fertilize with granular fertilizer. It’s important to get granular fertilizer to the root zone of the plants. This shows you how. You will also learn the best way to fertilize with a liquid fertilizer. Foliar fertilizing is also explained. Learn how to make foliar food and how to apply it to your houseplants. Indoor plants sprayed with foliar fertilizer green up quickly. Applying nutrients through the leaves is a really fast way to get nutrients into your houseplants. It is the best option when a houseplant is ailing from lack of nutrients.
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Welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today, we’re talking about three easy ways to fertilize your houseplants. This video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate, which you can find in the description below.
Fertilizing houseplants is essential, but many people feel overwhelmed by the options. I prefer organic fertilizers because they support long-term soil health. As I discuss in my book Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, chemical fertilizers can act like “steroids” for plants—something a grower once told me off the record. Plants become dependent on chemical fertilizers, while organic fertilizers help build sustainable soil that feeds plants naturally.
There are three main ways to fertilize your houseplants:
1. Granular Fertilizer
Granular fertilizers are a classic option, but simply sprinkling them on top of the soil isn’t effective. The nutrients don’t reach the root zone, may wash away, and take a long time to break down.
Many organic fertilizers contain mycorrhizae—a beneficial fungus that attaches to plant roots and helps them absorb more water and nutrients. To use granular fertilizer effectively, make holes in the soil using a wooden dowel, place the fertilizer into the holes, and cover them back up. Pre-water the soil first, then water again afterward to activate the fertilizer and mycorrhizae.
2. Liquid Fertilizer (Watering Method)
Liquid fertilizer is straightforward. Add the recommended amount to your watering can and water the plant thoroughly until it drains out the bottom. Always follow the package directions.
Use lukewarm or room-temperature water, especially in winter. Cold water can shock roots, cause leaf spotting, and even lead to root dieback. If needed, warm the water slightly before use.
3. Foliar Feeding
Foliar feeding is an excellent “booster shot” for your plants. It can green up leaves in as little as a week. Mix a liquid fertilizer (or a tea made from granular fertilizer) into an atomizer bottle that produces a fine mist.
Spray both the tops and undersides of leaves. The stomata—tiny pores on leaves—absorb nutrients quickly. This is especially useful for micronutrients like iron. If you’re worried about delicate plants or heirloom varieties, test a leaf first and check for sensitivity over a couple of days.
Foliar feeding is fast, easy, and ideal when you need quick results.
General Fertilizing Tips
Organic fertilizers usually need to be applied every 6 weeks to 2 months.
Organic fertilizers help build a self-sustaining soil ecosystem.
Always use warm or room-temperature water for liquid fertilizers.
When foliar feeding, add a surfactant (a light oil) to help the spray stick to leaves.
That wraps up today’s guide on fertilizing houseplants. Leave a comment with any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three main ways to fertilize houseplants?
The three primary methods are granular fertilizer, liquid fertilizer mixed with water, and foliar feeding applied directly to the leaves.
Why choose organic fertilizer over chemical fertilizer?
Organic fertilizers build healthy, sustainable soil that feeds plants naturally, while chemical fertilizers can make plants dependent on constant feeding.
How do you apply granular fertilizer correctly?
Create small holes in the soil using a wooden dowel, place the fertilizer inside, cover the holes, and water thoroughly to activate the nutrients.
Why should watering and fertilizing be done with lukewarm water?
Cold water can shock plant roots, cause leaf spotting, and even lead to root dieback, especially during winter months.
What is foliar feeding and when should you use it?
Foliar feeding involves spraying diluted fertilizer onto leaves, allowing quick nutrient absorption through stomata. It’s ideal for micronutrient deficiencies or stressed plants.
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