How to Fertilize Plants

Providing your plants with the proper nutrients is essential for their health and performance. While the soil contains some key minerals, it is usually not enough to sustain vigorous growth over time. Fertilizing your plants gives them a nutritional boost when they need it most. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover the fundamentals of fertilizing houseplants and garden plants to help them thrive.

Why Fertilize Plants?

Fertilizer provides supplemental nutrition that serves several important purposes:

• Replaces nutrients used up from soil during growth cycles
• Corrects nutrient deficiencies that cause yellowing leaves, stunted plants, etc.
• Fuels flowering, fruiting, and reproduction in plants
• Improves plant vigor, size, and overall health
• Boosts resistance to pests and diseases
• Enhances color and flavor in edible crops
• Allows plants to reach their full genetic potential
• Aids recovery from transplant shock or injury
• Extends the productive life of annual plants
• Helps plants better withstand drought and temperature extremes

Simply put, proper fertilization makes plants happier and healthier!

Types of Fertilizers

There are many options when it comes to choosing a fertilizer. Here are some of the most common types:

• Granular fertilizers – Dry fertilizer granules that you sprinkle onto the soil surface. Provide a slow, steady release of nutrition. Must be watered in to activate.

• Liquid fertilizers – Concentrated mixes that you dilute with water and apply directly to soil or foliage. Provide immediate nutrient availability.

• Slow release fertilizers – Granular or stakes that release nutrients gradually over 2-3 months. Convenient for continuous feeding.

• Organic fertilizers – Derived from natural materials like compost, manure, bone/blood meal. Release nutrients through microbial activity in soil.

• Synthetic fertilizers – Contain soluble chemical salts that rapidly dissolve in water. Quick greening effect but can burn plants if over-applied.

• Balanced fertilizers – Supply a blend of major nutrients plants need – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K). Common ratios are 10-10-10 or 5-5-5.

• Specialized fertilizers – Tailored blends focused on certain nutrients, like high nitrogen for leafy growth or high phosphorus for flowering.

• Foliar sprays – Liquid fertilizers applied directly to leaves for rapid absorption. Especially useful for micronutrient deficiencies.

• Injectable fertilizers – Concentrated liquid solutions injected directly into the root zone of plants through an irrigation system.

Major Nutrients Plants Need

Plant fertilizers are labeled with their N-P-K nutrient ratio, representing:

• Nitrogen (N) – Critical for leaf and stem growth. Deficiency causes yellowing and stunted plants.

• Phosphorus (P) – Important for root development, flowering, and fruiting. Boosts bud and seed production.

• Potassium (K) – Necessary for plant vigor, disease resistance, and water regulation in cells. Helps plants resist drought.

A balanced N-P-K fertilizer contains some of each nutrient tailored to the plant’s needs. Too much of any one nutrient can cause issues.

Micronutrients Are Important Too

In addition to N-P-K, plants require various micronutrients:

• Calcium – Aids cell wall structure
• Magnesium – Central to chlorophyll production
• Sulfur – Important for enzyme formation
• Iron – Key for photosynthesis
• Zinc – Needed for growth hormones and reactions
• Manganese – Involved in nitrogen metabolism
• Boron – Used in calcium utilization
• Copper – Integral to reproductive processes

Quality fertilizers will contain micronutrients too in smaller amounts.

How Often to Fertilize Plants

Timing and frequency depends on factors like the plant variety, growth stage, season, and type of fertilizer used. Some general guidelines:

• Fast growing annuals and vegetables – every 2-4 weeks during active growth

• Slow growing houseplants – 2-3 times per year in spring, summer, fall

• Bloom boosters – when flower buds appear

• Established trees/shrubs – early spring and mid-fall

• Container plants – monthly or biweekly since they have a limited soil nutrient supply

• New transplants – wait 2-3 weeks until settled before feeding

• After re-potting – wait 4 weeks until new roots establish before fertilizing

Pay attention to how quickly your plants use nutrients and fertilize accordingly.

How to Apply Fertilizer

Follow best practices when applying fertilizer to your plants:

• Always read and follow label directions for amount and timing. More is not better!

• Water plants thoroughly first before fertilizing. Never apply to dry soil.

• For granular types, scatter evenly around drip zone and water in well. Reapply as directed.

• For liquid types, dilute with water per instructions and apply directly to soil. Use spray bottle for foliage.

• Avoid touching leaves with granular fertilizer to prevent leaf burn.

• Sweep or blow any granules off leaves after application to avoid damage.

• Reapply liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks for steady feeding.

• Adjust frequency for indoor plants based on observed growth rate and needs.

• Stop fertilizing late in the season when growth naturally slows.

Fertilizing Tips for Specific Plants

Some plants have specific fertilizer needs:

• Acid-loving plants (azaleas, gardenias, rhododendrons) – Use acidic fertilizer with iron to keep soil pH ideal.

• Vegetable gardens and flowers – Alternate balanced fertilizer with compost/manure to provide an array of nutrients.

• Palms – Apply a palm-specific fertilizer low in phosphorus; minimize potassium.

• Citrus trees – Fertilize in spring/summer with citrus food; avoid high nitrogen.

• Succulents and cacti – Use a diluted balanced fertilizer at 1/4 strength a few times per year.

• Shallow-rooted plants – Opt for liquid fertilizers applied regularly versus heavy granular feeding.

• Native plants – Use a reduced or low phosphorus blend to avoid disrupting soil ecology.

Signs Plants Need More Fertilizer

Watch for these clues that indicate plants are hungry for nutrients:

• Loss of leaf green color, yellowing leaves
• Smaller new leaves and stunted growth
• Leaf drop or leaf tip burn
• Few blooms, small fruits/vegetables
• Wilting/drooping even when well-watered
• Increased pest/disease damage
• Purple leaf undersides – phosphorus deficiency
• Brown leaf tips or margins – salt buildup or dryness

Address nutrient deficiencies right away before they worsen.

Final Tips for Fertilizer Success

Follow these tips for great results with fertilizing your plants:

• Test soil periodically and amend as needed based on results.

• Be cautious and start with less when in doubt. Overfertilizing can harm plants.

• Rotate between different fertilizers – plants benefit from nutritional variety.

• Apply lower nitrogen fertilizer in fall to harden off plants.

• Rinse foliage after applying to avoid leaf burn on sensitive plants.

• Follow package instructions carefully – more is not better!

• Reapply as directed until growth slows in late season.

• Combine with regular compost additions for balanced nutrition.

Proper fertilizing improves plant vigor, appearance, productivity and longevity. Pay attention to plant needs and fertilize accordingly for a healthier, more vibrant garden and landscape!