Blossoming House Plants- Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants

Anyone who’s passionate about plants is aware of how important is to provide proper care to your garden.

Undeniably, enough sunshine and the right amount of water are the basics needed for healthy plant growth.

However, indoor plants require special care and there’re a few things you can do to improve their health.

Further, it goes without saying that using a good fertilizer is very important.

A proper fertilizer contains the three most important macronutrients your plants need- nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

When buying fertilizer, you need to be careful and choose one which will not damage your plants but will still make your garden flourish.

Read below our review of best fertilizer for indoor plants.

What is a Good Fertilizer?

Whenever buying fertilizer for your indoor plants make sure you read the ingredient label. It’ll give you information on the composition and instructions on how to use it.

A good fertilizer will always contain the necessary nutrients, Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus.

Additionally, make sure you check out the ratio of the ingredients which is essential for optimal plant growth.

Always look for the N-P-K ratio which will tell you the percentage of the different nutrients in the fertilizer.

Make sure your fertilizer is organic and uses a good nutrient source such as nitrogen or ammonia nitrate rather than urea nitrogen.

A fertilizer with urea nitrogen might cause ammonium toxicity and kill your plants.

To be on the safe side, always choose quality products that might be a bit more expensive, but still provide optimal care.

What is N-P-K Ratio?

If you’ve checked some of the fertilizers we presented in the article, you must’ve noticed that there are a few ratio numbers that constantly repeat i.e. N-P-K ratio.

The letters stand for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and the numbers as 10-10-10 represent the available nutrients by weight in a particular brand of fertilizer.

How to Apply the Fertilizer?

Make sure you dilute the fertilizer before use.

For example, if the suggested amount is ½ teaspoon for one gallon of water, you can use less and dilute it to ¼ teaspoon.

Being conservative when using fertilizers is really important because using too much of it might damage and burn your plants.

What Kind of Fertilizers are There?

Fertilizers come in different forms.

They can either be soluble powders or highly concentrated liquids and gardeners recommend them as the most effective.

Experts favor soluble powders because they are cost-effective and easy to mix, but the liquid option is also great.

Whatever fertilizer you decide to buy, make sure it’s entirely water-soluble! In this way, your plant will be able to absorb all the necessary nutrients.

Depending on the composition, there are a few different types of fertilizers:

Complete Fertilizer

This type of fertilizer will provide your plants with essential micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Chemical Fertilizer

Chemical fertilizers are made with inorganic chemicals such as ammonium nitrate or magnesium sulfate.

They’re cheaper than organic fertilizers, but there’s a risk of damage due to overuse.

Foliar Fertilizer

A foliar fertilizer provides liquid nutrients that are easy to absorb through leaves, but not enough, and not all of the needed nutrients.

If your plants are suffering from yellow leaves due to iron deficiency, this type of fertilizer is ideal.

Organic Fertilizer

Fertilizers with organic ingredients are made with natural stuff such as animal manure, leaf molds, fish emulsion, and chemicals such as phosphate or greensand.

These fertilizers are great for houseplants and flowers. They won’t burn your plants and will help improve their immune system.

Slow-release Fertilizer

As the name implies, these are organic fertilizers that take longer to decompose. They come in the form of capsules or shells.

Simple Fertilizers

Simple fertilizers can be either chemical or organic. They usually contain urea and ammonium sulfate and phosphorus or superphosphate.

When to Feed the Plants?

You have to be really smart and careful when it comes to feeding your plants.

Different plants respond differently to the environment and conditions, so it might be challenging to guess the right time when to feed your houseplants.

It’s tricky to know when your plants need fertilizing since they won’t show any clear signs of this. Instead, you have to take steps in advance and use fertilizer on a schedule.

The schedule will depend on the plant’s growing cycle.

Fertilizer for Indoor Plants Review

1. Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food Spikes

Highlighted Features

• Ideal for indoor plants
• Full with micronutrients
• Easy to use
• N-P-K 6-12-6

You’ll be amazed by these spike supplements!

Once you start using them, they’ll create a nurturing environment where your plants will flourish with no problem.

One of their best features is the slow release of micronutrients and nitrogen which happens in a period of up to 2 months.

This’ll provide continuous feeding for the plants, plus they can be really efficient in reviving your dying plants.

Although the spikes can continuously provide nutrients for up to 2 months, it’s important to replace them every 30 days during the spring and summer months.

On the other hand, as soon as colder weather starts you can replace them every 60 days.

Besides, they’re really easy to use!

All you need to do is poke a hole between the plant root stem and the rim of the pot and push the spike until it’s covered in soil.

Happy customers swear by these spikes and recommend them for both outdoor and indoor plants.

2. Jobe Organic Granular Fertilizer

Highlighted Features

• Jobe’s Biozome
• OMRI listed
• Improves soil condition
• Easy pour bag

You’ll absolutely love the all-purpose fertilizers by Jobe.

They’re organic and don’t contain any synthetic materials and won’t harm the environment or your plants.

Jobe’s proprietary Biozome formula is a combo of good bacteria such as Archaea and Mycorrhizal fungi which will provide more blossom, fruit, and luscious plants.

This blend of beneficial microorganisms will improve soil conditions, increase root mass, and protect your plants against diseases and insects.

Moreover, the fertilizer comes in an easy pour and re-sealable bag, so you can store away the leftover product if needed.

For optimal use, re-apply the fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

The only thing that might be a downside for this product is its strong smell which might not be pleasant when used for indoor plants.

3. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food

Highlighted Features

• Stimulated with 11 essential nutrients
• Suitable for different plants
• No-burn pledge
• Affordable

The Osmocote’s granular plant food is an all-in-one solution for your indoor garden and it works well with any plant varieties-vegetables, flowers, or herbs.

With just one application, your plants will be fed for the next 6 months with 11 essential nutrients.

Further, thanks to the slow release formula, you don’t have tore-apply more fertilizer after a few weeks.

Each granule of this fertilizer is coated with a special resin that controls the nutritional release. In this way, your plants get what they need whenever they need it.

Moreover, the special coating allows water to penetrate the granule and dissolve the compressed nutrients.

Make sure you use the granules as instructed, otherwise you might damage and burn your plants.

It’s good to know that the nutrients are released based on the temperature.

For instance, during warmer weather more nutrients are released and that’s why your plants will be blooming in summer.

4. EarthPods Premium Indoor Plant Food

Highlighted Features

• Organic plant food
• Fast & easy application
• Superior results formula
• Eco-friendly

These organic fertilizer capsules are good for all types of plants, vegetables, flowers, fruits, and herbs.

Moreover, the capsules are really practical and easy to store on your kitchen shelf.

They contain concentrated organic plant food which improves plant growth and protects against diseases.

The packaging contains 100 pre-measured pods that provide you with enough supply for a single houseplant for up to a year.

What’s more, you’ll never need extra measuring cups or get your hands dirty.

The EarthPods plant food has a universal formula that replicates the composition of robust forest earth with natural plant nutrients, growth hormones, minerals, bacteria, and fungi.

Since all the ingredients come from organic sources, the capsules are eco-friendly and the packaging is made from recycled paperboard.

5. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food

Highlighted Features

• Feed every 1-2 weeks
• Suitable for different plants
• Water-soluble
• No-burn guarantee

If you’re into growing beautiful plants, then this Miracle-Gro product is perfect for you.

The fertilizer consists of granules that dissolve in water, which you use to moisten the soil of your indoor plants.

Combined with other elements such as water and sunlight, this fertilizer will do wonders for your plants and won’t damage them if you use it according to the instructions.

For easy use, the product comes with a measurement spoon so you can always dose just the right amount of fertilizers for your plants.

Ideally, you should apply the fertilizer every one to two weeks for the best results.

Happy gardeners who use Miracle-Gro for years confirm that they find this product beneficial for their indoor plants.

6. Indoor Plant Liquid Fertilizer by Aquatic Arts

Highlighted Features

• 100% natural
• Stimulates sturdy growth
• Good for indoor plants
• Gentle on your plants

Many people use indoor plants as decoration for office or apartment spaces.

In order to have them blooming and looking pretty, you need to take good care of them.

The Aquatic Arts liquid fertilizer will help you achieve this. You can use the product for any type of plant such as poinsettias, African violets, cactus, orchids, and gerbera daisies.

Its formula works faster than other fertilizers and it’ll stimulate healthy growth and effectively prevent wilting.

It’s good to know that potted plants need extra nutrients in order to grow healthier.

Moreover, the stems of the plants will grow faster with the help of potassium. You just need to use 1 teaspoon of this liquid fertilizer and dissolve it in 2 cups of water.

This mixture will provide your indoor plants with the needed vitamins, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Depending on the number of houseplants you have, the 8 oz. bottle will last you for up to 1 year.

One bottle of this product can give great results and protect the plant from rotting and it’ll give fresh color to the leaves.

7. Espoma Organic Indoor Plant Food

Highlighted Features

• Contains major plant nutrients
• Ideal for all house plants
• Organic ingredients
• Easy to use

The organic plant food by Espoma has a special formula that contains organic ingredients and all the necessary plant nutrients.

It comes in an 8 Oz. package concentrate bottle and it has an innovative cap for easy dosage. You’ll be able to pour the right amount every time without any mess.

Ideally, you should use the fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks. Make sure you shake well before use, mix with water, and thoroughly soak your plant’s soil.

Your plants will love this product and you’ll see them flourish in no time.

Gardeners enjoy using this product because of the quality formula and easy-to-use bottle.

Moreover, you’ll enjoy the natural vibe, greenery and warm atmosphere your plants will spread.

8. Jack’s Classic All Purpose Fertilizer by JR Peters

Highlighted Features

• Measuring spoon included
• No burning
• Enhanced micronutrient package
• Easy use

JR Peters’s all-purpose fertilizer will keep your plants strong and healthy. It gradually releases the enhanced nutrients for a period of up to 4 months.

This water-soluble product is equally balanced in order to help your plants grow strong roots, leaves, and stems.

Moreover, the product features the highest safety factor when it comes to protecting your plants from burning.

All you need to do is apply as instructed in the manual. For easy and precise application, the manufacturer also includes a free measuring spoon.

The fertilizer is designed for use on all foliage and flowering plants such as ficus, pothos, philodendrons, palms, spider plants, and others.

You can use this product in two ways. The first one is by dissolving it in water for regular use or using it in a more concentrated form over a few months.

The fertilizer can be used as either a leaf spray or can be applied to the roots. In any case, you’ll get effective treatment for plants.

9. Bloomingo Indoor Houseplant Fertilizer

Highlighted Features

• Fast results
• Time-saving
• All-purpose
• Safe and trustworthy

Regardless of whether you’re an amateur or a beginner gardener, the Bloomingo all-purpose fertilizer will satisfy all your plant’s needs.

The proven 9-18-9 liquid mix will increase leaf growth, boost blossoms, stop plant wilting, and improve their overall condition.

Since it has really simple instructions, you’ll be able to follow and apply them to your plants without any problems.

This product is water-soluble and easy to prepare, so you won’t spend too much time dealing with it.

Plus, the unique measuring cap will make all the mixing hassle-free and enjoyable!

Its versatile formula allows you to use the fertilizer on a variety of plants leaving them with healthier leaves and a more robust root structure.

Moreover, it’s a high-quality American product made with gentle ingredients that won’t harm your indoor plants.

10. Indoor Plant Fertilizer by TUKNON

Highlighted Features

• Versatile formula
• Easy to use
• Ideal for most houseplants
• Stimulates healthy growth

TUKNON’s liquid formula is suitable for all types of plants. This organic fertilizer is extremely versatile and can be used for vegetables, tomatoes, and indoor plants.

It promotes healthy plant growth and it’s really easy to use. All you need to do is dissolve it in water with the included easy measure cap.

Moreover, it gives a perfect balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic natural Norwegian seaweed extract to promote vibrant plant growth.

Your indoor plants will simply love this product. Also, it can stop potential wilting, improve plant health, and boost flower blossom.

Once you start using this product your plants will have brighter green leaves, healthy roots, and strong stems.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, we’d like to emphasize that you should never confuse fertilizing with feeding.

Plants get their energy i.e. food from sunlight and fertilizers are just used to provide additional nutrients.

Thus, the combination of proper feeding and fertilizing is a must when it comes to upkeeping a healthy indoor garden.

As it’s outlined in the article, there are different types of fertilizers available on the market. To make your shopping easier, we’ve presented a detailed list of the 10 best fertilizers for indoor plants.

Choosing the right one for your indoor plants is vital because it’ll improve your plant growth, blossom, and improve the plants’ overall health.

If you’re still thinking which way to go, but ready to invest in your indoor garden, we recommend our top pick Miracle-Gro food spikes.

They’re made especially for indoor plants and will provide all essential nutrients.

However, if you’re working with a smaller budget and need a cheaper option, then you should go for Osmocote’s smart-release plant food.

The smart release formula will provide your plants with continuous fertilizing in the next 6 months.

Happy gardening!