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Tropical Houseplant Care - How to Fertilize Your Houseplants

Your houseplants require both water and minerals for survival. Outdoor plants can usually pick up all the minerals they need from their surroundings without much help from the gardener. Indoor plants, however, need more attention, since nutrients in the potting soil need replenishment.

What are those three numbers on the bag of fertilizer?

Fertilizers contain the key elements needed: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) in varying proportions. The numbers given on a bag of fertilizer show the relative amounts of these three elements. For example, an 18-6-12 fertilizer contains 18% N, 6% P2O5, and 12% K2O. Other elements are also necessary, but in much lower amounts.

How much of each element should I use for my plants?

The amount of each element needed will of course depend on the species of plant. Too much is just as bad for the plant as too little, so it requires a bit of research to learn exactly what is right for your particular tropical plant. Usually this help is available by either reading the label, or by asking your plant-supply person.

What does each of the minerals do?

This topic is continually being researched by scientists. For the purposes of gardening, we can say that phosphorus is needed in greater amounts for flowering plants, while leafy plants like plenty of nitrogen. Potassium is particularly required for plants that bear fruit, since it helps to carry other nutrients through the plant tissues.

How do I know if my plant is getting the right amount of these foods?

Insufficient fertilization can cause the plant leaves to turn pale, or not to grow as large as they should. This can be remedied by using a fertilizer solution, so that the plant can absorb nutrients faster. If plants are over-fertilized, the leaves may wilt or begin to turn brown at the tips. In this case, you should thoroughly soak the plant in water to rinse the excess minerals away.

How do I apply the fertilizer, and how often do I do it?

My method is to use a solution of dry fertilizer in water. Carefully following the directions on the package should make it easy not to over-fertilize your plants. I thoroughly water each plant, until the solution begins to flow out of the drain holes in the bottom of the pot. I find that feeding my plants about every other month is fine - more frequently for blooming plants in season.

If you're careful in fertilizing your house plants, they should not just survive, they'll thrive. Don't be shy about asking for advice at your local plant store. They should be glad to help.

Article Source: GardenGap.com

About the Author

Do you need more advice on tropical houseplant care? Visit the Professor's blog on tropical houseplants, where you can get help with your plants. I also have lots of beautiful pictures, and some neat videos too.