Fertilizing Houseplants: Schedules and N-P-K Basics

Plants make their own food (sugar) via photosynthesis, but they need minerals (fertilizer) to build cells.

Decoding N-P-K

Look at the 3 numbers on the bottle (e.g., 10-10-10).

• N (Nitrogen): For green, leafy growth. (Most important for foliage plants).
• P (Phosphorus): For roots and flowers.
• K (Potassium): For overall health and disease resistance.

When to Fertilize

• Spring & Summer: Active growing season. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks.
• Fall & Winter: Dormancy. Stop fertilizing.

Common Mistakes

1. Fertilizing a dry plant: Never! This burns the roots. Water first, then fertilize.
2. “More is better”: No. Too much fertilizer builds up salts and kills the plant. Always dilute to half strength if unsure.
3. Fertilizing a sick plant: Don’t feed a stressed plant. It needs to recover, not run a marathon.