Fertilizers.
I feel like I’ve said this before, but Fertilizers can definitely incite some debate in the plant community. Some say they’ve never fertilized a plant in their life and they’re happy to keep it that way. Others like myself have seen the benefits of fertilizing and continue to extol the virtues of a well fertilized plant.
Plants and the people who fertilize them have different needs. Ferns, for example, are light feeders (currently questioning my decision to use that luscious, lightly fertilized fern as a background…) while Aroids prosper best with specific micronutrients. Hoya can be Terrestrial or Epiphytic, with each having a separate set of nutritional needs. There are also seasonal needs to consider. Some choose to decrease the frequency or dosage of fertilizer in the winer months since plants are not in an active state of growth. This is a good idea so the plant isn’t overwhelmed with a surplus of nutrients and nowhere to use them. With that being said, the plant is still alive, and living things require energy to survive. Over time, the soil in which our plants live becomes depleted of nutrients from age, the growth of roots in the pot, and water washing the nutrients away as it travels through the soil and out the drainage hole. Yes, repotting helps, but that should only be done every few years depending on the growth of the plant, and sometimes never depending on the type of plant. In those interim times, fertilizing takes on a more significant role in the life of a houseplant.
Below you will find an assortment of fertilizers that will benefit houseplants of all shapes and sizes.
Darren’s Secret Feed.
This is probably my most-used fertilizer. I use this on my Begonias, Ferns, Aroids…pretty much anything I grow. I even use it on my Hoya if I’m short on their fertilizer. I mix a half teaspoon per gallon as directed and I can see a difference in my plants. I keep a tub of this on every floor of my house and another outside so I can use it in my sprayer to fertilize my outdoor garden. It’s an easy go-to for me, and at $12.99 at the time of this writing, the price is well worth it. It lasts me forever. This will be available for online purchase soon, if it isn’t already. Koraleskiflowers.com
Miracle-Gro Tomato Plant Food.
This one is for Hoya…and maybe my Tomatoes as well. I’d heard whispers of the wonders of this fertilizer for Hoya, but it wasn’t until I received a recommendation from Susan at KOKO Ranch Hoya that I began taking the whispers seriously. I told her that I had been using Miracle-Gro Orchid Spray as my Hoya fertilizer and she promptly redirected me to this tomato fertilizer for two reasons. First, it helps the Hoya produce healthy blooms, which is kind of the holy grail of Hoya growing, right? Second, the spray fertilizers aren’t compatible with some of the thinner leaved Hoya. They can be a little too harsh, and despite the Hoya being mostly epiphytic and therefore used to absorbing nutrients through their leaves, the Tomato fertilizer is a better fit all around. I’ll admit, I still use the spray, just on the Hoya with thicker leaves. And I’m sure to rinse the leaves regularly to prevent any obstruction of the plant’s ability to breathe and transpire, but for my thinner leaved Hoya, this is a life-saver.
It might sound crazy, but this tomato fertilizer is excellent for any plant that flowers. It’s formulated to boost blooms.
Earthworm Castings.
Earthworm castings aren’t necessarily a traditional fertilizer, but they do enrich the soil in which plants grow. They are an amendment that’s added to the soil to increase nutrient density. Earthworm castings are such a lifesaver, sometimes literally. Just mix them in as directed when you prepare your own potting soil, when you pot your plant for the first time, or add them as a top dressing for potted plants that need a boost. If you’re mixing your own soil, one part Earthworm castings to three parts soil mixture will do the job. There is no smell, and the texture is fine rather than lumpy or mucky. It’s very easy to mix into the potting medium of your choice. Earthworm castings are an excellent choice for organic indoor gardening, or, since they’re totally natural, for the growing of herbs and vegetables that will one day be consumed.
SUPERthrive.
SUPERthrive is, as stated on the label, a vitamin solution infused with Kelp. Kelp is particularly nutritious for plants due to its high nutrient density. It’s not a fertilizer, so it can be used in conjunction with general fertilizers to boost vitamin intake or to assist plants which might be in shock from shipping or other environmental changes. It comes in a liquid infusion to be mixed with water according to your specific needs, or a foliar spray that can be misted directly onto the plant. I use both products, but for different reasons. The vitamin solution is excellent for new plants, especially those that have been shipped to you. Shipping stress is real. The biggest benefit is that it revitalizes stressed plants and since it isn’t a fertilizer, you don’t have to worry about overfertilizing when you’ve bought a plant with a time release fertilizer already in the soil. The spray is great, however, for those who might be likely to fumble the measurements, or for those who just prefer not to measure.
Alaska Fish Fertilizer.
Alaska Fish Fertilizer is another great organic option. The product inside is not what I was expecting the first time I opened it. It’s very thick, brown and has an extremely strong odor. I made the mistake of opening and mixing it in my kitchen the first time I used it, and I won’t be making that mistake again. The smell tends to linger, so it’s best that it’s thoroughly blended into water and all parts of the solution are able to soak into the soil rather than sit on top in clumps. An old milk or water jug is great for this - something you can shake, not stir. Regardless of all of those finer points, the plants love this fertilizer. This is something that can safely be given all year round if your plant is still growing, albeit diluted in the winter months. It won’t burn or discolor the plant like some man-made fertilizers might, and it can also be used safely for herbs and vegetables that will be consumed. Just be sure to mix it outside!
Miracle-Gro Ready to Use Orchid Plant Food Mist.
This Orchid plant Food Mist is an essential for Orchids (obviously) but also for Hoya with thick, fleshy leaves. It really pulls its weight, and you can’t beat the ease and simplicity of the product. There’s no measuring, no mixing. Just pick your plant and mist. I use this for my Orchids and some of my more succulent Hoya like Hoya Carnosa Compacta. I truly see a difference when I use this product and it’s something that I always like to have on hand. It’s important to note that this product should not be used on the Orchid or Hoya flowers, but any other part of the plant is fair game. I go through it quickly, so I wish I could find a larger size, but I’m mostly just happy to have it in my plant fertilizer stable.
Crushed Oyster Shell.
Crushed Oyster shell, at least in my case, is strictly for my Hoya Eriostemmas that grow terrestrially. I’m sure there are many other uses (including feeding chickens), but this post is a shout out to my beloved Eriostemma. In their natural habitat - perhaps the Soloman Islands, maybe Indonesia - they do grow down on the ground unlike some Hoya which grow epiphytically. The specific ground that they grow in happens to have a layer of calciferous bedrock underlying it, and the Eriostemma appreciate the Crushed Oyster shell because it provides the nutrients that they need. It can be used, however, for any plant that needs supplemental minerals. I found this notion overwhelming at first - supplemented minerals via crushed oyster shell- I don’t know why. When I placed an Eriostemma order with rare-hoyas.com, I sent an email inquiring after more info on this need that is common with Eriostemma and other terrestrial plants. My complaint was that most Crushed Oyster I am able to find is made for chickens. Mr. Green’s reply was that it does not matter if the consistency of the oyster shell is rough or ground smooth. In fact, he said “Just use as for Chickens!”
Osmocote Plus.
A slow release, or, in this case, “Smart-Release” plant food is always helpful. Osmocote plus offers 4 months of feeding. It works for indoor and outdoor plants, which is convenient if you’re short on time and you need to spend a day off fertilizing and then forget about it for the next few months. It’s wonderful as a general fertilizer for indoor or outdoor plants. Much to my enjoyment, this product also comes in much larger bags so I don’t have to buy dozens of tiny jars over the course of a year. This granular application can be really convenient not only for the “fertilize and forget” mindset, but also for simplifying your watering routine. Grab a watering can, no measuring, and then water as needed.
Espoma Organic Indoor! Houseplant Food.
So, admittedly I haven’t tried this one, I just want to try it. I’ve heard really good things about this brand, and I love the organic factor. That is something that’s important to me for many reasons. I also love that the bottle says “no mess.” Thank you for that in advance, Espoma.