What type of fertilizer is best for indoor plants? Fertilizers are often referred to as plant food although this is not entirely true as plants get their food through photosynthesis.
However they need some other micronutrients and macronutrients that are crucial in regulating water, creating enzymes, and plant defense, this is also where fertilizer comes in for most plants.
Indoor fertilizer is vital for houseplants, it basically acts as a multivitamin to crops hence why gardeners and plant enthusiasts like you and I need this one. Indoor plants are easier to care for compared to some outdoor plants. They are a great option if you live in climates with severy cold winter or have little yard space to create an outdoor garden.
When selecting an indoor plant, there are certain qualities to look for and this also applies to when choosing a fertilizer for houseplants.
There are different kinds of fertilizers in the market but if you are caring for indoor plants for the first time, you need an ultimate guide on the best fertilizer for indoor plants and how to use them. So if you are searching for the best fertilizers for our indoor plants, read on for more information and the best options.
Table of Contents
Why Indoor Plants Need Fertilizers
Indoor plants need fertilizers as much as outdoor plants. Growing healthy, happy indoor plants require using the best fertilizer(s), that’s a given.
The type of plant will often determine what kind of fertilizer is to be used however using the best fertilizer will not only help your indoor plants stay healthy but also regular feeding will help replenish the potting soil with minerals that your indoor plants need to thrive.
Fertilizers won’t replace your plant food but it is sure to provide the soil with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Although indoor plants need more food to stay healthy they also need essential macro-nutrients that can be derived from fertilizer.
Types Of Fertilizers For Indoor Plants
So, there are basically three types of indoor plants. There are several factors to consider before choosing the three for your indoor plants.
Indoor plants are easy to care for but they often require the right balance of minerals and also another crucial factor to consider is the soil type. Here is the breakdown of the three types of fertilizers for indoor plants before choosing one that best suits your plants.
1. Liquid Fertilizers
Liquid fertilizer is considered to be the fastest and effective way to nourish established plants in the pot. This fertilizer goes to work almost immediately you apply it to your plants. Applying and controlling liquid fertilizer is also very easy, you just need to dilute to the appropriate strength and feed your indoor plants when they need it.
The disadvantage of choosing liquid fertilizer is that it’s hard to get the quantity right and if you have few houseplants to feed, you might be throwing away fertilizer as a teaspoon of liquid fertilizer can make a gallon of houseplants food.
2. Organic Houseplants Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are the ones naturally derived from plants or animal products and this means they can be liquid, granular, or slow-release fertilizers.
You can buy this ready-made or have it made yourself and it happens to be beneficial to indoor plants. There is less risk of minerals in the soil when using organic fertilizer and it helps improve the soil structure.
3. Slow Release Fertilizers
This type of fertilizer happens to be a favorite for many gardeners and farmers. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor gardens and the good thing about this fertilizer is that you don’t have to remember to feed your plants.
Ground-up minerals and are formulated with a balance of macro and micronutrients each to help deliver nitrates to your plants. phosphorus to encourage bigger bloom and potassium to encourage a strong root system.
The Best Fertilizers For Indoor Plants In 2021
If you have a hard time keeping your indoor plants alive then it’s time to worry about fertilizer. Feeding your plants with the right fertilizer will provide with the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy, Shopping for fertilizers for indoor plants can be overwhelming as there are so many to choose from.
However, to help narrow down your options, we have listed 10 of the best and effective fertilizers for indoor plants.
1. Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food- Best Overall
- For all flowers, all vegetables, trees, shrubs and houseplants
- Dual feeding action - feeds through both roots and leaves
- Use in either the Miracle-Gro garden feeder or watering cans
- No assembly required
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Easy application weekly or biweekly
- Safe to use and won’t burn your plants if applied properly
- Works for all houseplants, flowers, shrubs, and edibles
- Provides an instant boost to plants.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Customer support is often slow and not very responsive.
If you keep killing your indoor plants then it’s time to pick up Miracle-Gro all-purpose plant fertilizer. This fertilizer is your best go-to for all types of indoor plants. Not only is this the most popular fertilizer for indoor plants but it is effective in providing your plants with essential nutrients needed to thrive.
It is made to cover 600 square feet of yard space if you are using it in your garden and you can also add a teaspoon to your watering can for feeding your flowers.
This fertilizer is ideal for unfed plants. However, you need to follow the instructions carefully and make sure not to overfeed your plants. For best results, Miracle-gro suggests you use this fertilizer every 7 to 14 days. It is formulated to give your plants the extra nutrient it needs to grow.
2. Purived Liquid Fertilizer- Best For Indoor And Outdoor Plants
- FOR ALL INDOOR & OUTDOOR PLANTS: Snake Plant, Pothos ZZ Plant, Aloe Vera, Philodendron Green, Peace Lily, Rubber Tree, Chinese Evergreen, Birds Nest Fern, Monstera Deliciosa, Dracaena, Spider Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Mini Cactus, Calathea, Laceleaf, Croton, Pilea Peperomioides, Jade Plant, African Violet, Guiana Chestnut, Yucca, Peperomia, Burros-Tail, Parlor Palm, Begonia, Weeping Fig, Calla Lillies, Prayer Plant, Philodendron, Plant Dieffenbachia, Croton Plant, Christmas Cactus, and many more.
- FEEDS HOUSE PLANTS INSTANTLY: Purived Houseplant Food is water-soluble, so it feeds instantly - giving plant an immediate balanced supply of macro-nutrients (NPK) and micro-nutrients. Micro-nutrients make up less than 1% of most plants, but are crucial to your plants well being. With potted container plants, the soils micro-nutrients deplete over time. Purived Houseplant Food contains all 7 essential elements to aid in maintaining a healthier soil.
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Ideal for all indoor and outdoor plants
- Shows instant result after application
- Stimulates the production of chlorophyll.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- None.
Purified fertilizer is very new to the market but surprisingly, it’s an amazing fertilizer that provides your indoor plants with enough nutrients to help them grow big and bloom.
This fertilizer is super concentrated hence it can be used on indoor and outdoor plants. 20oZ will provide you with gallons of this nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer and you can apply directly for best results,
This fertilizer works basically for all kinds of plants whether you have cultivated flowering houseplants, vegetables, edibles, and also succulents. This is water-soluble hence you can be sure to get an immediate balance of macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients.
3. Osmocote Plant Food- Best Liquid Fertilizer For Indoor Plants
- Our best formula, fortified with 11 essential nutrients
- Works with virtually all plant varieties, in all growing conditions
- Feeds up to 6 full months
- Apply with confidence to potted plants, indoors or outdoors
- No-burn pledge when used as direc
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Contains 11 essential ingredients
- When used properly, does not burn the plants
- Works in all growing conditions and for all plant varieties
- Supports the indoor plants for six months.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Excess application can harm your plants.
This is one of the best and often recommended fertilizers for indoor plants. This fertilizer contains 11 critical nutrients hence why it happens to be one of the best liquid fertilizers for indoor plants.
It can also work for any plant or herbs outdoor. Another crucial reason to invest in this fertilizer is that it constantly feeds the plants for up to 6 months, unlike other liquid fertilizers that need reapplication.
You can confidently apply it to your potted indoor plants and keep them from wilting and the nutrients are readily absorbed. This works with almost all varieties of plants and when used properly, you don’t have to worry about it burning your plants.
4. Indoor Plant Food- Best Fertilizer For Houseplants
- NATURAL, SAFE, AND ORGANIC: Indoor Plant Food contains no urea or harmful chemicals that could burn your plant. It is designed to be used every time you water for green and gorgeous growth all year long.
- PERFECT FOR ALL PLANTS INCLUDING: Peace Lily, Spider Plant , Aloe Vera, Anthurium, Aspargus Fern, Peace Lily, Peperomia, Snake plant, Cast-iron plant, Christmas Cactus, Dieffenbachia, Parlor palm, Philodendron, Tradescantia, Plectranthus, Arrowhead vine, Bird Of Paradise, African Violet, False Shamrock, Madagascar Jasmine, Dumb Cane, Elephant Ear Philodendron, Norfolk Island Pine, King of Hearts, Prayer Plant, Dwarf Banana, Easter Cactus, Oakleaf Ivy, Lily Turk, Chinese Evergreen.
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Safe and can’t burn the plants if applied properly.
- Work for all houseplants.
- Super easy to administer.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- A bit expensive.
Every houseplant needs extra care but if you have one that happens to be fussy then Resource Center Indoor Plant Fertilizer can come in really handy.
This fertilizer is an all-purpose liquid fertilizer that is formulated with nitrogen and phosphorus which are essential plant nutrients. The steady supply of your plants with this fertilizer is sure to provide you with a healthier and hopefully help remove brown spots and brittleness from your plants.
5. Eco Home And Garden Indoor Plant Fertilizer- Best For Vegetables
- ? Liquid Fertilizer for Indoor Plants - Perfectly balanced & complete, this one part fertilizer is ideal for all indoor growing flowers & plants
- ? Great Fertilizer for Vegetables, Fruits, & Berries - Use this to grow amazing vegetables in your garden, and flavorful fruits in your back yard
- ? Plant Fertilizer for Indoor Potted Plants - Indoor plants love this because it is complete and pH balanced (no need to worry about salt build up!)
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Money-back guarantee if a customer is dissatisfied.
- Suitable for fruits and vegetables.
- Features a balanced pH which means no acidity burn on your plants.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Expensive compared to other organic fertilizers.
Eco Home And Garden indoor plant fertilizer is another fertilizer for indoor plants worth investing in. This organic fertilizer comes with adjusted soil pH hence you do not have to adjust the soil alkalinity or acidity and it can make any type of plant thrive. It is highly concentrated so it can support your indoor plants for an extended period of time. It’s the best fertilizer for fruits and vegetables.
6. Hawaiian Bud And Bloom Fertilizer- Best For Blooms
- Water soluble urea-free concentrate.
- Considered the worlds best bloom formula in commercial agriculture.
- Can be used in both soil and foliar applications.
- 0.5 lbs dissolved in 100 gallons of water yields approx. 150 ppm of Phosphate.
- General Foliar Dosage: 1 tsp/gallon. Soil or Media Drench: 1 tbsp/gal
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Can be used in both soil and foliar application.
- Safe for plants.
- Maximizes bloom and yield in indoor plants.
- Highly concentrated so very little is required.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Too much can burn the plants.
Grow More Hawaiian Bud And Bloom fertilizer might be the answer to your indoor plants dying.
This fertilizer helps your indoor flowering plants whether tropical or not, it can help maximize their bloom. This fertilizer is high in potassium which is great for your indoor plants and it helps create a high yield. It is ideal for both indoor and outdoor plants.
7. EarthPods Premium Indoor Plant Fertilizer-Best Eco-Friendly Fertilizer
- SO FAST & EASY TO APPLY — Push 1 EarthPod all the way into the root zone near the center of your plant, then just water! (EarthPods will break down & slowly release nutrients direct to roots where it counts)
- PROPRIETARY FORMULA FOR SUPERIOR RESULTS — Slow release fertilizer robust with a large variety of organic plant nutrients, trace minerals, soil life & humates, all in a form immediately available for plant uptake
- ECO FRIENDLY & COMPACT — Tube stores easily on your kitchen shelf + recycle the empty paperboard packaging printed with soy inks when done (EarthPods are pet, child, eco-friendly, vegan + 100% sustainably made in the U
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Supports plant health.
- Safe to the environment.
- Fast and easy to apply.
- Compact breaks down easily.
- No messy liquids.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- None that we could find.
EarthPods Premium Organic Fertilizer is another great organic solution for your indoor plants. It’s quite easy to use on your plants and it’s one of the most popular natural fertilizers for your indoor plants.
One single tube of this fertilizer provides you with pre-measured pods which can be enough for a single houseplant for 5 years. It’s also 100% recyclable which makes it friendly to the environment. So if you want a clean biodegradable fertilizer then this is sure to be the best option.
8. JR Peters Jack’s Classic Tomato Feed- Best For Tomatoes
- Optimum Combination Of Nutrients For Fruiting Vine Vegetables
- High Potassium Assures A Good Crop
- Produces Vibrant Green Leaves, Strong Vines And More Fruit
- No Assembly Required
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- High-quality standard.
- Easy application.
- Safe for all indoor and outdoor plants.
- Ingredients are from all-natural sustainable resources.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Performance is not instant.
Giving your indoor plants the optimal fertilizer it needs to grow is one of the best ways to prevent rut and pests. Tomatoes are also common indoor plants and here is the right fertilizer to aid their growth. This fertilizer includes a healthy dose of potassium and will help your crops create strong and vibrant vines.
9. Scotts Super Bloom Fertilizer- Best For Flowers
- Contains high phosphorus to help plants bloom
- Feed every 1-2 weeks for best results
- Water-soluble plant food feeds plants instantly
- For outdoor flowers, fruiting plants, containers and bed areas
- Wont burn your plants when used as direc
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Won’t burn your plants when used as directed.
- Multipurpose option for indoor plants.
- Contains high phosphorus to help plants bloom.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Too much in close contact with the plant can burn the leaves.
Super Bloom Fertilizer is supercharged to help indoor flowers bloom. It contains a high level of phosphorus that helps your plants grow and for the best result, it is recommended that you feed your plants for 1 to 2 weeks.
This water-soluble fertilizer is a bit pricey but well worth investing in for indoor flowering plants. It definitely won’t burn your plants when used as directed.
10. Proven Winners Water Soluble Fertilizer – Best Continous Release Fertilizer
- Proven Winners water Soluble fertilizer comes in an easy-to-use 2.5 lb. Container with a carrying handle and measuring scoop
- 24-12-17 fertilizer blend
- Following the application rates on the container, apply at least every week, or every third watering
- Designed specifically to prolong plant life and improve performance
- Also available is a Proven Winners time-release fertilizer that can be applied every Spri
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WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
- Suitable for potted and natural plants.
- Safe and can’t burn the plants if used as directed.
- Prolongs plant life.
- Easy application process.
- A fast-acting blend of nutrients.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Low in phosphorus.
Proven Winners Water Soluble Fertilizer is fortified with 15% nitrogen for your foliage growth, 17% potassium for overall health, and 12% phosphate for flower products.
This is a fertilizer worth investing in as it is claimed to be designed by professional growers to give your indoor plants the needed nourishment. It absorbs quickly when mixed with water and easily delivers the right amount of nutrients to your indoor plants.
This fertilizer is designed to feed your plants up to six blooms and it is recommended that you make use of it on your indoor plants at least once a week. It is suitable for hanging baskets, container planting, landscape beds, and window boxes.
How To Properly Fertilize Indoor Plants
To care for and feed your indoor plants properly is very crucial in growing thriving and hard to kill plants. Many indoor plants are easy to grow but how you feed them is also going to determine how fast and big they grow.
To feed your plants fertilizer, choose an organic fertilizer specifically for indoor plants and read the instructions carefully to direct you on the usage. Using the wrong direction to feed your plants can cause the leaves to burn.
Keep in mind that plants grown in low light will require less fertilizer compared to ones grown outdoor. Use about 1/4 of the amount recommended on the label once a month and the application can be increased to every two weeks if the overall color of the plant becomes lighter.
The type of plant you are growing will also determine how fast and often it needs to be fertilized. A rule thumb is to start fertilizing your indoor plants when they are actively growing as feeding them when they are dormant is likely to burn the leaves.
Fertilize your plants less often if the new growth is dark green but the leaves remain small and also if the spaces between the leaves seem longer than it is on the older growth.
FAQs
When should I start fertilizing my indoor plants in the spring?
To fertilize indoor plants in the spring, start fertilizing about 8 weeks before the expected spring frost to give them enough to revitalize your plants.
How often should I fertilize my indoor plants?
How often you apply fertilizer on indoor plants depends on the product being used. The application of fertilizer varies from 2 to 3 weeks to once every 3 or 4 months. Read the instruction carefully to know how often you need to fertilize your indoor plants.
How do I know if my plants need fertilizer?
There are many ways you can identify if your plants need fertilizer, some of the signs you are sure to notice as part of plants needing fertilizer is the browning of leaf margins and tips, slow to no growth, yellowing, and wilting of lower plant leaves and leaf drop.
Are coffee plants good for indoor plants?
Coffee grounds are really great and beneficial for indoor plants when used as mulch, compost, pesticide, or fertilizer. You can also water your plants using just fertilizer. However, make sure not to use too much on your indoor plants.
How do you fertilize indoor plants naturally?
To fertilize indoor plants naturally, you can make use of organic fertilizer and other DIY options for fertilizing indoor plants include used coffee grounds, banana peel, used green tea bars, corn gluten meal, and gelatin powder.
Wrapping Up
Caring for indoor plants is just as important as caring for outdoor ones. Indoor plants are considered to need more care than outdoor plants and this is because they can’t send roots out for more food since they are in containers.
Hence why you need to feed them and fresh fertilizer can give them the boost they need to grow. When you fertilize indoor plants, don’t overdo it and they don’t just need fertilizer, proper lightning and watering are very important components for indoor plants.
