Plants should be fertilized when in active growth, usually from March to October.
Soluble fertilizer may be applied once a month to fast-growing plants, and every other month to
all others.
Fertilizer labels show three figures, representing the percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K),
in that order. The most useful formulations are 20-20-20, 10-30-20, 15-30-15 and 30-10-10.
In general, it is best to wait one month before fertilizing a newly repotted or purchased plant.
Never fertilize a sick plant. Remember to dampen the soil before adding fertilizer.
| Type of plant |
Formula |
| Foliage plants |
20-20-20 |
| Ferns |
20-20-20
Apply fertilizer at half-strength |
| Cacti and succulents |
10-30-20 |
| Flowering plants |
15-30-15 |
| Acid-soil loving plants |
30-10-10 |
|
