This is how you provide them with nutrients

The right time

No houseplant can survive without nutrients. How quickly it utilizes the available minerals from the earth, however, is very individual. So-called heavy consumers have a particularly high need and are dependent on frequent fertilization. Slowly growing cacti, on the other hand, also develop in Potting soilthat has not been fertilized for years. It is therefore not possible to give a general recommendation for the intervals between two fertilizers. In principle, however, the substrate should be refreshed frequently or the houseplant should be repotted without adding fertilizer. For more detailed information, please contact your nursery or refer to the care instructions on the plant label.

Note growth phases and rest periods

Most indoor plants withdraw their energy inside in winter and do not develop new shoots. Their nutritional requirements decrease accordingly. Stop the fertilizer application as soon as your houseplant moves into winter quarters. From March you can continue as usual.

Note: Only indoor plants that bloom in winter (for example the poinsettia) still need to be supplied with nutrients.

Choice of fertilizer

Various forms of fertilizer are available from specialist retailers:

• granules
• Liquid fertilizer
• rod
• or powder

Which variant you choose is entirely up to you. Much more important is the composition of the nutrients. Here you have to cater to the individual needs of the respective plant species. The most important nutrients are:

• Potassium (for strong roots)
• Phosphorus (for a lush bloom)
• as well as nitrogen

Alternatives

Is fertilizer from specialist shops too expensive or uncertain for you? Enrich the substrate with your own resources. Organic material could be made from for example

• Coffee grounds
• compost
• Wood ash
• or eggshells

exist.
Coffee grounds are great for plants that prefer acidic soil. However, since it changes the pH value of the earth, it is not suitable as a permanent alternative, but should only be used occasionally.
Eggshells have the opposite effect. They contain a lot of lime and thus raise the pH of the earth.
Wood ash is just as rich in lime and also provides valuable potassium. If your houseplants suffer from fungal disease or rot, the ashes can help you recover.

dosage

This is even more harmful than too few minerals in the soil Over-fertilization of houseplants. Too much of a good thing can even cause leaf disease, which ultimately leads to the death of the plant. Succulents and orchids are particularly sensitive due to their low nutritional requirements. It is best to always orientate yourself exactly to the information on the plant label. Here is how often you should fertilize your plant.