We don’t refer to houseplants as ‘plant babies’ for no reason! Showering our indoor flowers and greenery with a little tender loving care is not to be neglected, especially during the summer. Keep your houseplants happy with the easy recipe for indoor plant fertilizer, courtesy of Stephanie Rose’s book, Garden Alchemy: 80 Recipes and Concoctions for Organic Fertilizers, Plant Elixers, Potting Mixes, Pest Deterrents, and More.
Feeding With Fertilizer
Houseplants tend to do quite well if they live in a warm place with enough light. But being trapped in a pot means they don’t have an endless supply of nutrients to drink up.
As a plant parent, you have to make sure that your baby has enough to eat. Regular fertilizing will keep your houseplants healthy, beautiful, and growing!
When To Feed
Avoid fertilizing houseplants in the winter. Most varieties aren’t in an active stage of growth in the colder months, and feeding them can lead to a weak and leggy plant, yellow burn marks on the leaves, or worse.
Fertilize houseplants monthly in the spring and summer. Discontinue in the fall and winter.
Indoor Plant Fertilizer
Materials
- 1 tablespoon soluble seaweed
- 1 tablespoon alfalfa meal
- 1 tablespoon blood meal
- 1 tablespoon soft rock phosphate
- 1-gallon rainwater or dechlorinated water
How To Make It
- Measure the above ingredients and add them to a glass jar or a container with a lid. Stir well and shake before using.
- Take ½ cup of the fertilizer blend and dilute in 4 cups of water.
- Use the diluted mixture immediately. Store the undiluted fertilizer blend in a cool, dark place for up to three months. If it begins to smell bad, becomes discolored, or forms mold, discard and make a new batch.