Sun, water, and tender love and care—this trifecta is considered necessary for healthy plants, whether they reside indoors or out. It’s a good idea to also tack nourishment onto that list; feeding your houseplants or garden varieties at the appropriate time is integral to their continuous growth.
Choosing the correct indoor plant food is key. Curious about which fertilizer varieties add the most nutrients, micronutrients, and more to plants’ soil? Read on for the brands that get the job done. Your plants will happier after each treatment, guaranteed. The best fertilizer for indoor plants can help your houseplants develop properly.
This article includes a complete guide on fertilizers. I will discuss different types of fertilizers and review fertilizer for indoor plants, some of the most reliable fertilizers to help you pick the right one for your plants.
fertilizer for indoor plants
The best fertilizer for indoor plants
Top 16 Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants 2022
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid)
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food is great for use on all indoor plants, including edibles! Instantly feed all indoor houseplants, including edibles, with Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food. Simply apply the formula directly to the soil, or mix it with water. Apply once a week.
Pros
- Instantly feeds all indoor houseplants
- For all indoor plants, including edibles
- Feeds instantly
- Able to apply directly to the soil or can mix with water
- Apply once a week
How To Use
- Directly to soil: 1 pump for small pots, 2 pumps for larger pots (over 6″ diameter); water as usual.
- With Watering Can: Mix 4 pumps per quart of water; water as usual.
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food Spikes
Miracle-Gro makes growing beautiful, vibrant houseplants easy with their Indoor Plant Food Spikes. Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food Spikes are ideal for feeding all indoor plants, including ficus, snake plant, croton, spider plants, and pothos.
Pros
- Easy-to-use fertilizer for all indoor plants including ferns, spider plants, pothos, and croton
- Houseplant fertilizer spikes feed continuously for up to 2 months
- When used as directed, plant food spikes are safe to use on all indoor, potted plants
- Plant food spikes are filled with the micronutrients that indoor plants need
- Indoor plant care made simple; enjoy vibrant potted plants in your home, office or business
How To Use
- Using the Miracle-Aerator spike, simply make a small hole in moist soil and insert the plant food spike. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your happy houseplants
- In spring and summer, spikes should be replaced every 30 days, while in winter and fall wait 60 days before replacing them.
Jobe’s 5001T Houseplant Indoor Fertilizer Food Spikes
Jibe’s Houseplant Fertilizer Spikes 13-4-5 Fertilizer spikes feed trees at the roots, where they need it most. Active Ingredients: Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur
Espoma Company INPF8 Organic Indoor Plant Food
Espoma organic indoor plant food is specially formulated with organic ingredients, all major plant nutrients & millions of beneficial microbes delivering optimum plant health & top performance results. Conveniently ideal for all houseplants. Available in an 8oz size.
Pros
- Made with all major plant nutrients
- Ideal for all houseplants
- Available in an 8oz size
EarthPods (100 Count) Easy Premeasured Organic Indoor Plant Food Spikes
EarthPods Organic ALL PURPOSE fertilizer capsules can be used successfully on all your indoor houseplants and outdoor potted flowers whether they be indoor / outdoor and in containers / hangings baskets / raised garden beds (for optimal comprehensive results, we suggest feeding with EarthPods every 2 weeks and watering with our TeaDrops ALL PURPOSE liquid plant food packets weekly as a regular feeding routine)
Pros
- CONCENTRATED PREMIUM ALL PURPOSE ORGANIC PLANT FOOD — Supports robust root growth, strong stem development, enhances leaf color vibrancy, creates rich loamy soil over time for all your indoor & outdoor plants
- NO MESSY LIQUIDS / NO CONFUSING MEASURING SPOONS / NO STINKY SMELL — 1 tube = 100 EarthPods pre-measured plant fertilizer capsules (a 5-year supply for a single special houseplant or use on big collection of indoor house plants)
- 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 USA)
How To Use
- Just push EarthPods ALL PURPOSE plant food capsules every 14 – 21 days all the way into the soil near the stem of your favorite indoor houseplants and flower containers to feed a wide variety of all-natural, organic macro + micro nutrients, trace minerals, soil life & humates.
- Small plants: 1-2 EarthPods
- Medium plants: 2-4 EarthPods
- Large plants: 4-8 EarthPods
J R Peters Inc (52064) Jacks Classic No.4 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer
Releases nutrients gradually for up to 4 months of vigorous growth. Blended with an enhanced micronutrient package which provides optimal nutrition for strong roots and green foliage. Features the highest safety factor to prevent burning when applied as directed. Free measuring spoon enclosed for easy and precise application.
Pros
- Free Measuring Spoon Enclosed For Easy And Precise Application
- Features The Highest Safety Factor To Prevent Burning When Applied As Directed
- Blended With An Enhanced Micronutrient Package Which Provides Optimal Nutrition For Strong Roots And Green Foliage
- No Assembly Required
- Power source type: Solar Powered
J R Peters Inc 51024 Jacks Classic No.1.5 10-30-20 Blossom Booster Fertilizer
The durable poly pulsating sprinkler is great for gentle lawn watering. The extra-wide weighted base resists tipping and is easy to set up and move. The adjustable control allows you to select watering distance and coverage angle for your specific needs.
Pros
- Blossom Booster 10-30-20 is a Professional formula designed to produce more flowers and brighter colors on all indoor and outdoor plants
- All indoor and outdoor flowering plants like: geraniums, impatiens, begonias and marigolds.
- Feeds through both the roots and the leaves
- This is the Original Blossom Booster with the proven 1:3:2 nutrient
- Great for vegetables and fruit. Can also be used as a transplant solution.
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Outdoor & Indoor
An all-in-on solution for the serious gardener. One application contains 11 essential nutrients and feeds up to 6 months. Works with virtually all plant varities and growing conditions. Each granule is coated with a unique resin that controls intritional release. Plants het what they need, when they need it.
Pros
- 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 directed
Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer
Neptune’s Harvest Fertilizer is perfect for everything you grow! Our fish fertilizers are made from a variety of fresh caught North Atlantic fish which allows us to offer the best natural and organic products on the market!
Pros
- Grow a beautiful vegetable garden
- Flowers and foliage will be stronger and more colorful
- Blooms will be more plentiful, fragrant and longer lasting
- Easy to mix and apply by hand, sprayer, or drip line
Miracle-Gro 1001502 Liquid All Purpose Plant Food Concentrate
Promote attractive blooms and a healthy harvest with the Miracle-Gro 32 oz. Liquid All-Purpose Concentrate Plant Food. Miracle-Gro is a fast and easy way to provide nutrients that are safe for your houseplants, vegetables, shrubs, flowers and trees.
Pros
- Instantly gives plants the nutrients they need to flourish
- Safe for all types of plants, vegetables, trees, shrubs and houseplants
- Provides great results
- Easy to use
Dr. Earth 706P 749688916875 Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer
Grow bigger and more abundant plants naturally with Dry Earth All Purpose Fertilizer, specially formulated to release needed nutrients quickly and continue to feed for several months providing hassle-free, long lasting results. Designed with ultra-premium scientific multi-minerals and probiotics ensuring organic nutrients are thoroughly broken down and then released in the soil for plant roots to absorb them as needed. Great for every plant in the garden and ideal for vegetables, all flowers, potted plants, bedding plants, all trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. Available in a 4 pound size.
Pros
- Provides continuous feed for several months
- Contains ultra-premium scientific multi-minerals
- Available in a 4lb size
- Contains pro-biotic, seven champion strains of beneficial soil microbes plus ecto and endo mycorrhizae
- Usable for all planting applications; champion soil builder; consistent premium quality
- 100 Percent natural and organic; stable and consistent plant growth no growth spike; exceptional result because nutrients are released quickly
- Eight select strains of ecto and endo mycorrhizae contribute to drought tolerance, enhanced nutrient availability and increased plant performance
- Provides optimum levels of essential plant nutrients; eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers when used as directed
Jobe’s Organics 09524 Purpose Granular Fertilizer
Restore, maintain, and enhance your soil. Use Jobe’s Organics All Purpose granular fertilizer with Biozome on all your vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs. Mix Jobe’s Organics granular fertilizer with soil before planting. Feed established plants at dripline, the furthest edge of branch spread. Feed existing trees at dripline, the furthest edge of branch spread. Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Granular Fertilizer with Biozome will help your lawn or garden thrive.
Jobe’s organic fertilizers are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and good for the environment. Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Granular Fertilizer with Biozome will deliver long term benefits without synthetic chemicals, creating a healthy eco-system for your garden, your family and the environment.
What is Jobe’s Biozome? Jobe’s Biozome is a combination of healthy bacteria, Mycorrhizal fungi and Archaea. This unique and proprietary blend of beneficial microorganisms improves the long-term soil quality of your garden, increases root mass, promoting plant growth and helping your garden resist disease, insects, drought and other unfavorable conditions within a growing season. Jobe’s Biozome is only available in Jobe’s Organics products.
Pros
- Organic granular fertilizer; Fast acting fertilizer for flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees & plants
- OMRI listed for organic gardening by USDA; Certified organic means no synthetic chemicals
- Contains Jobe’s Biozomethe proprietary microorganism archaea that aggressively breaks down material for faster results
- Jobe’s Biozome improves soil conditions, helps resist disease, insects, and drought during the growing season
- Easy pour bag; Guaranteed analysis: (4-4-4) 1.5 pound resealable bag, (4-4-4) 4 pound bag, (4-4-4) 16 pound bag
Jobe’s 09426 Granular Plant Food Flower & Rose
Organic Fertilizer for Roses: Thoroughly dissolve one scoop of Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Water Soluble Fertilizer per gallon of water. For small rose bushes, use half a gallon of organic fertilizer per bush. For large established rose bushes, use one gallon of organic fertilizer per bush. Apply organic fertilizer every fourteen to twenty-eight days as needed.
Jobe’s organic fertilizers are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and good for the environment. Jobe’s Organics Flower & Rose Fertilizers with Biozome will deliver long term benefits without synthetic chemicals, creating a healthy eco-system for your organic garden, your family and the environment.
What is Jobe’s Biozome?
Jobe’s Biozome is a combination of healthy bacteria, Mycorrhizal fungi and Archaea. This unique and proprietary blend of beneficial microorganisms improves the long-term soil quality of your garden, increases root mass, promoting plant growth and helping your garden resist disease, insects, drought and other unfavorable conditions within a growing season.
Use Jobe’s Organics Rose & flower granular fertilizer with Biozome on roses & flowering shrubs. The Jobe’s Biozome advantage for organic gardening: improves the long-term soil quality of your garden, increases root mass, promotes plant growth & helps your garden resist disease, insects, drought & other unfavorable conditions within a growing season. Delivers long-term benefits without chemicals. Jobe’s Biozome is a unique & Proprietary blend of beneficial microorganisms Archaea, mycorrhizal fungi & healthy bacteria. Archaea, a recently identified microorganism found in some of the planet’s most extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. In garden applications, scientists have discovered that these microbes actually clean the soil, returning it to a healthier, more natural state.
Jobe’s Biozome contains a proprietary species of Archaea that quickly break-down complex hydrocarbons & minerals into basic nutrients & trace elements that plants readily absorb. Mycorrhizal fungi expands the surface-absorbing area of the roots by 100 to 1, 000 times, sending out filaments that act as extensions of the plant’s root system, helping plants absorb more water & nutrients. In return, the fungi receive essential sugars & other compounds from the plant roots, fueling their own growth.
Finally, the healthy bacterial strain in Biozome improves the soil structure & quality, keeping nutrients near the roots. Jobe’s Organics Flower & Rose granular fertilizer is OMRI listed & may be used in certified organic food production according to the USDA national organic program. Jobe’s Organics Flower & Rose fertilizer is also available as an organic fertilizer spike. Jobe’s Organics Rose & flower fertilizers will help your rose garden thrive. Safe for use around children & pets.
Pros
- Organic granular fertilizer; Fast acting fertilizer for roses; Formulated for more abundant beautiful flowers
- OMRI listed for organic gardening by USDA; Certified organic means no synthetic chemicals
- Contains Jobe’s Biozome…the proprietary microorganism archaea that aggressively breaks down material for faster results
- Jobe’s Biozome improves soil conditions, helps resist disease, insects, and drought during the growing season
- Easy pour bag; Guaranteed analysis: (3-5-3) 4 pound bag, (3-5-3) 16 pound bag; Apply at planting and every 6 weeks
Jack’s Classic All Purpose 20-20-20 Water Soluble Plant Food
20-20-20 analysis. A balanced blend of Nitrogen- Phosphorus and potassium with fully chelated trace elements that work well on all plant materials as a general-purpose fertilizer. Indoors it is especially effective on foliage plants to keep leaves green and healthy. Feeds through both the roots and the leaves. Use on all indoor and outdoor plants- trees- shrubs- vegetables- and turf.
Releases nutrients gradually for up to 4 months of vigorous growth. Blended with an enhanced micronutrient package which provides optimal nutrition for strong roots and green foliage. Features the highest safety factor to prevent burning when applied as directed. Free measuring spoon enclosed for easy and precise application.
Pros
- Fertilizer works well on all plant materials as a general-purpose fertilizer
- Powerful blend of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a 1: 1: 1 ratio
- Feeds through the roots and leaves
- Especially effective on indoor foliage plants to keep leaves green and healthy
- Features the highest safety factor to prevent burning when applied as directed
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
Miracle-Gro water soluble all purpose plant food instantly feeds vegetables, trees, shrubs, and houseplants to grow bigger and more beautiful than unfed plants. Simply feed them every 1-2 weeks. The formula is safe for all plants, and is guaranteed not to burn when used as directed. Get beautiful results with Miracle-Gro.
Pros
- Full of essential nutrients, it instantly feeds to grow bigger, more beautiful plants versus unfed plants
- Feed every 1-2 weeks
- Use with the Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder or any watering can
- For all flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs and houseplants
- Safe for all plants, guaranteed not to burn when used as directed
How To Use
- For big, beautiful Miracle-Gro results, plants need water, sunlight and nutrition to flourish throughout the season.
- Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food is safe for all plants, guaranteed not to burn when used as directed, and starts to work instantly.
- Use on all flowers, all vegetables, houseplants, roses and all trees and shrubs. For best results, feed every 7-14 days when plants are actively growing.
FoxFarm FX14002 Big Bloom Liquid Concentrate
Fox Farm Big Bloom.03 – .1 – .11 Quart Bottle Big Bloom is Alive! A microbially active, water soluble plant food specifically formulated to promote and emphasize the blooming characteristics of all flowering and fruiting plants. Big Bloom is an 100% natural and organic biologically active instant plant food. Big Bloom promotes strong, extra large, and multiple blooms while dramatically enhancing the flavor of fruits and vegetables.
Pros
Big bloom liquid concentrate is 100-percent natural and organic biologically alive formula
- This instant plant food enhances flavor and fragrance of fruits and vegetables
- Great medicine for sick plants or transplant fertilizer
- NPK: 0-.5-.7
- Available in 1-quart
How To Use
- Big Bloom can be applied out of a watering can, through a foliar sprayer, drip irrigation and hydroponic systems. It’s gentle nutrition will not burn tender young plants. May be used in combination with Grow Big, to customize the nutritional requirements of all plants.
Is Fertilizer Necessary for Indoor Plants?
All kinds of houseplants need three basic things for survival; water, light, and temperature. But if you want your plant to thrive and grow faster, you have to go the extra mile and find an effective fertilizer.
Generally, plants need 17 essential nutrients for healthy growth. Fourteen of them are received from the soil, and the remaining three are extracted from air and water.
In simple words, fertilizers help supply these extra nutrients to plants.
These nutrients are crucial for regulating water supply, creating enzymes, and strengthening the plant systems against disease and bacteria, among other things.
Even if your soil had all the nutrients at the beginning, the nutrients would soon deplete as the plants grow and consume all the available nutrients.
Therefore, fertilizers are a must to ensure your plants are always fed well.
Never overlook the symptoms of nutritional deficiency because this is the way plant communicate their health problems. Ignoring these signs might end up in a failed garden or crop.
The NPK ratio helps you decide what best fertilizer for indoor plants. We have created this detailed guide of the best fertilizers for different types of plants.
fertilizer for indoor plants
When to Fertilize for Indoor Plants?
When to fertilize outdoor plants is a little easy to figure out. Most come in the spring from dormancy and plan to grow flowers or fruits. A strong thumb rule is to fertilize to ready them for the spring and summer ahead, after the first freeze.
Yet they’re a bit different from house plants. Since they are not subjected to shifting sunshine and cold weather, whether to fertilize them is not always easy to learn. Here are a few tips and tricks for general.
While houseplants are not exposed to the elements, most of them are either dormant or semi-dormant in winter and require no fertilizer. Getting them fertilized at this time may lead to slow growth and render the plant vulnerable to disease and insects.
Any plant that continues to grow through the winter is an exception to this law. Every plant that develops vigorously should be fertilized, but use 1⁄2 or 1⁄4 in winter as much as you would in summer.
Plants that keep blooming in the winter should be fertilized using the normal number.
Start fertilizing indoor Plants dormant or semi-dormant plants in late February. While being enclosed, houseplants often sense the shifting weather and can say spring is on its way.
Should not over-fertilize it if a plant is not performing good, because that will destroy the plant. Ensure sure it receives ample light and water so the surface will not get polluted.
Do not apply fertilizer to potting soil unless the manufacturer states that using it like that is healthy. Potting soil is also carrying nitrogen, so having so much excess may be dangerous.
If you are purchasing a plant from a home and garden center or greenhouse, find out when it was fertilized the last time. It may be detrimental to the plant to carry it home and apply more fertilizer, which is easily prevented.
fertilizer for indoor plants
How to Choose indoor plant food?
While purchasing any indoor plant food, always try to consider organic products first. They’re better sources of nutrients for indoor plants.
They’re also child-and pet-friendly sources of fertilization. Consider the following features when looking for fertilizers and make a well-informed purchase.
Macronutrients
Basic fertilizers include macronutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Each of them has a special task. For instance, nitrogen enhances lush foliage.
Phosphorus, on the other hand, improves root development and potassium promotes healthier blooms. Thus, opt for a fertilizer that contains these macronutrients.
Specialty fertilizer
Certain fertilizers have a special task as they’re designed for fertilizing certain types of plants. Therefore, consider the type of plants and determine if they need a specialty fertilizer.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients such as magnesium, iron, manganese, and boron are included in certain fertilizers. They encourage healthier development, so check the label before you buy.
fertilizer for indoor plants
Best fertilizer for indoor plants buying guide
There are plenty of different kinds of fertilizers to pick from which is one explanation why choosing the best one for indoor plants can be so difficult. Here are a few different types:
Liquid Fertilizers
Typically, liquid fertilizers are applied to the irrigation any time you wash, or anytime. Any formulations may be used once or twice a month or feed the plants.
One of the great aspects of liquid fertilizer is how much is being added you have a lot of leverage. In stagnant times, you should avoid fertilizing and be sure there is no fertilizer already being released in the soil.
On the other hand, the drawback is that at the right moment you will have to apply nitrogen to the water which is better stated than done.
Granular Fertilizers
The soil is combined with the granular fertilizers. When you’re first putting a plant, they perform particularly well and will spread the granules all over the pot.
Granules are a bit difficult to use on indoor plants and when the plant is drained they absorb all of their nutrients at once and it’s not straightforward to predict how many the plants need. Ignore the instructions on the box very closely so you don’t overfeed your plant or underfeed it.
Slow-Release Fertilizers
Slow-release fertilizers, including spikes, seeds, and pellets, come in several varieties. They have a time-release covering, which helps the nutrients to gradually penetrate the soil.
This form of fertilizer fits best in small containers as there’s less ground to protect, and you don’t have to think about the nutrient distribution too often.
One drawback to slow-release fertilizers is that there’s no way to tell how quickly the nutrients disperse. Ideally, the time-release shield always holds things a little so you never really learn.
best fertilizer for indoor plants
Tips for Buying indoor plant food
All general-purpose fertilizers contain the basic macronutrients that plants need to grow, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.1 Each macronutrient has a specific function:
Nitrogen encourages healthy foliage growth.
Phosphorous encourages bigger, healthier blooms.
Potassium encourages a strong room system.
Specialty fertilizers, such as African violet fertilizers, contain optimized proportions of these nutrients for particular kinds of plants.
In addition to these macronutrients, better-quality fertilizers also contain micronutrients such as boron, magnesium, and manganese that will encourage healthier growth. Study the fertilizer label to determine what nutrients it contains.
Final Thoughts
Getting the best fertilizer for indoor plants is very easy. However, before getting to the market, you should research much about your plant, when, and apply fertilizer. If you feel there are chances you may not remember to fertilize or not sure about the quantity, go for slow release. The fertilizer will give your plants time to digest the nutrients.
Always follow the application guideline provided by the manufacturer. Never overlook consumer reviews as they reflect what exactly happens on the ground. Finally, if you are after the easiest to apply indoor plant food, consider the granular option.
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