Meta: What should you look for when choosing a fertilizer for your houseplant? We have selected four products worth considering and put together some useful tips to help you find the best houseplant fertilizer.
It’s beneficial to use fertilizer for house plants since their environment can become depleted of the nutrients they need. There are different things to consider when choosing fertilizer, including the chemical composition of the product and whether or not it’s suitable to the plants you have. Here is how you can find the best houseplant fertilizer.
Houseplant Fertilizer FAQs
If you are new to caring for houseplants, there are a few things you should know about fertilizer.
1. Why use fertilizer?
Plants need light and nutrients to grow. The growing medium should provide some of the nutrients they need, but houseplants will eventually use all the nutrients available in their growing mix. Water will also contribute to depleting nutrients if it seeps from the planter.
You need to use fertilizer to replace those nutrients since houseplants don’t grow in an ecosystem where new nutrients become available naturally.
2. When should you use fertilizer?
It depends on the growing mix you use, the size of the planters, and the type of houseplants you have. If you use a growing mix that doesn’t contain soil, your plants will need more fertilizer. If you have soil in your planters, introduce fertilizer during growth periods.You can use most fertilizers monthly when you water. Keep in mind that indoor plants typically get less light and grow more slowly compared to outdoor plants. They need fewer nutrients and shouldn’t get fertilizer as often as outdoor plants.
How We Chose and Reviewed the Best Houseplant Fertilizers
We looked for products suitable for houseplants. We selected organic and chemical products.
We looked for quality fertilizers with clear instructions, reputable manufacturers, and good reviews. We also made sure that the fertilizers we recommend yield good results and deliver good value for the price
Overall Price Range for Fertilizer
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Fertilizers tend to be very affordable. You can easily find an eight-ounce spray for around $5. You can get 1.5 lbs of soluble fertilizer for $5 to $10. Food spikes are the most affordable option since you get a two-year supply for around $5
How to Choose the Best Fertilizer for Your Houseplants
Should you use an organic or chemical product? Chemical fertilizers tend to be more affordable. They are safe to use as long as you follow the instructions and use the right dosage.
However, chemical products can be toxic to pets or children. It’s best to use an organic product if you have a pet or young child who might touch the growing medium.
Pay attention to the composition of the fertilizer you use. The three main ingredients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Here is how these ingredients foster growth:
- Nitrogen is essential to foliage growth.
- Phosphorus supports a healthy root system and helps with flowering.
- Plants need potassium during their dormant period, which corresponds to the winter for perennial plants.
You will find percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on fertilizer labels listed as three numbers. This analysis will help you compare the composition of different products.
The Top Four Fertilizers for Houseplants
These are the products we recommend if you want to find the best houseplant fertilizer.
Miracle-Gro 300157, 48 Indoor Plant Food Spikes
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These food spikes from Miracle-Gro are easy to use because you can place them directly in the growing medium. It’s an affordable product that yields good results.
Pros
- One spike lasts up to two months
- Good for lowering and foliage
- Great value
- Easy to use
- Fertilizer analysis: 6-12-6
Cons
- Continuous delivery might be more than what your plant needs
- Low levels of nitrogen and potassium
- Can’t adjust the quantity
Key Features
This pack of 48 food spikes is one of the best values we found. The food spikes come with a small plastic too you can use to make a hole in the growing medium and insert a food spike.
All you have to do is place a food spike in the growing mix once a month or once every two months in the winter. The food spike continuously delivers nutrients to your plant.
This fertilizer is suitable for a wide range of houseplants. We like it because it’s easy to use and the ingredients deliver all the main nutrients plants need.
The downside of the food spikes is that you can’t control the quantity of fertilizer your plant gets. You can adjust nutrient delivery by placing the food spike closer or further from the plant, but it’s not a precise method.
We recommend these food spikes if you are looking for value or want a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus for rooting and flowering.
Where to Buy
You can order this fertilizer from Amazon.
Warranty
You have six months to contact Miracle-Gro and ask for a refund if there is an issue with the product.
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Outdoor and Indoor
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This fertilizer is suitable for indoor and outdoor plants. We think it’s a great option because it contains 11 different nutrients.
Pros
- Use for indoor and outdoor plants
- Contains 11 nutrients
- Contains 6% sulfur
- Delivers nutrients for up to six months
- Won’t burn plants
Cons
- Need to figure out the dosage
- Leaves empty resin shells in the growing mix
- Not an organic product
Key Features
The release system and ingredients are what make this fertilizer interesting. This product uses granules to deliver nutrients. The granules have a special resin coating that dissolves when you water the plant.
The granules release nutrients slowly and last up to six months. All you have to do is mix them with the top layer of the growing medium. You can adjust the dosage depending on the size of the planter.
The analysis of this fertilizer is 15-9-12. It’s a well-balanced formula with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
It also contains sulfur. Sulfur is an important nutrient because it helps plants fight disease and allows them to absorb nitrogen.
Where to Buy
The most convenient way to buy this fertilizer is to order it from Amazon. You can choose between different sizes.
Warranty
The manufacturer doesn’t have any information about a warranty, but you have 30 days to ask for your money back if you order the product from Amazon.
Joyful Dirt Concentrated All-Purpose Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food
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We recommend this product if you want an organic fertilizer. It’s the best houseplant fertilizer if you want to prevent chemical burns and it’s safe to use around pets and children.
Pros
- Organic ingredients are safe for pets and children
- Ideal to avoid chemical burns
- Easy to use
- Contains beneficial fungi
- Mix with water or sprinkle on the growing mix
Cons
- Low phosphorus levels
- More expensive than other options
- Other products have more potassium
Key Features
The organic ingredients of this fertilizer support healthy growth without introducing potentially dangerous substances in your home. It’s a powder that you can sprinkle on top of the growing mix before watering. You can also dissolve a tablespoon of powder in half a gallon of water.
The composition includes 8% of nitrogen, 1% of phosphorus, and 5% of potassium. The nitrogen levels will help with foliage, but there are other products to consider since the phosphorus levels are somewhat low if you need to support root growth or flowering.
This fertilizer contains mycorrhizae fungi. These fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plants in nature. They attach themselves to the root system and increase its surface. The fungi help with nutrient absorption.
Fungi is typically not present in growing mixes that don’t contain soil. We recommend using this organic fertilizer if you want to create a natural environment that will foster growth.
Where to Buy
You will get the best price for this product by ordering it from Amazon.
Warranty
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee when you order this fertilizer from Amazon.
Schultz Liquid Plant Food Plus
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We recommend this fertilizer because its high level of nutrients makes it a good value. However, it’s best to use this product if you have some experience with gardening and fertilizer since its high concentration could cause chemical burns
Pros
- Fertilizer analysis: 10-15-10
- Only need a few drops when you water
- Versatile formula
- Excellent value
- Suitable for a wide range of plants
Cons
- Not an organic formula
- Need to figure out the right dosage
- High levels of nutrients
Key Features
You can use this fertilizer for indoor and outdoor plants. The manufacturer recommends mixing seven drops per quart of water once a month. The fertilizer comes with a convenient dropper so you can get the right dosage.
The high concentration of nutrients (10-15-10) make this fertilizer an excellent value. You will get results if you use the right dosage, but there is a risk of saturating the growing mix with chemicals if you use small planters.
The composition is versatile since there are enough nutrients to support foliage, root growth, flowering, and feed plants during their dormant stage. It’s an excellent value, but might not be suitable for beginners due to the high concentration of nutrients.
Where to Buy
This fertilizer is available on Amazon.
Warranty
You can ask to get your money back within 30 days of your purchase.
Comparison the Best Fertilizers for Houseplants
Here is a quick summary of the different fertilizers we recommend.
Product name
Miracle-Gro 300157, 48 Indoor Plant Food Spikes
Formula
Food spikes
Analysis
6-12-6
Price range
$7 for 48 spikes
Rating
4.4 out of 5 stars
Where to buy
Product name
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food
Formula
Granules
Analysis
15-9-12
Price range
$20 for 8 lbs
Rating
4.7 out of 5 stars
Where to buy
Product name
Joyful Dirt Concentrated All-Purpose Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food
Formula
Powder
Analysis
8-1-5
Price range
$15 for 2 oz
Rating
4.5 out of 5 stars
Where to buy
Product name
Schultz Liquid Plant Food Plus
Formula
Liquid
Analysis
10-15-10
Price range
$9 for 4 oz
Rating
4.4 out of 5 stars
Where to buy
Final Verdict
If you are looking for value, you can’t go wrong with the Miracle-Gro food spikes. You can get a two-year supply for around $7, and these food spikes contain average levels of nitrogen and potassium combined with high levels of phosphorus to support healthy root growth.
If you have pets or young children, we recommend spending a little more so you can get the Joyful Dirt fertilizer. This organic formula is safe to use, and even though phosphorus levels are low, it’s a good option since it uses fungi to support root growth.
If you want a fertilizer that delivers outstanding performance, we recommend the Osmocote Smart-Release plant food. This product has high levels of the three main nutrients and contains a total of 11 essential nutrients your houseplants need.
