As a plant lover, you may be wondering why you should fertilize your indoor plants. Fertilizer is a crucial component in the growth and development of plants, and it can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your indoor plants.
What is fertilizer?
Fertilizer provides essential nutrients that plants need to grow, from macro nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. To micro nutrients boron, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine. These nutrients are necessary for the development of healthy roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Without these nutrients, plants may struggle to grow and may become weak and susceptible to pests and diseases.
Why should I fertilize?
Indoor plants are particularly vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies because they are mostly grown in pots that have a limited amount of soil to draw nutrients from. Over time, the nutrients in the soil can become depleted, and the plant may not have access to the nutrients it needs to thrive. Fertilizer can help replenish these nutrients and ensure that your indoor plants have everything they need to grow strong and healthy.
In addition to providing nutrients, fertilizer can also improve the soil structure and promote beneficial microorganisms. This can help improve the overall health of your indoor plants and make them more resistant to pests and diseases.
How do I choose a fertilizer?
When choosing a fertilizer for your indoor plants it’s good to pick a fertilizer that has micro nutrients aswell as the three macro nutrients. For chemical fertilizers a general rule is to use it at half the recommended strength to avoid fertilizer burn. For natural fertilizers you can use them at full strength, as they are more gentle and less likely to cause burn (and still highly effective!)
Indoor plants have specific needs and each plant is different, it is a good idea to do some research on how frequently to fertilize the particular plants that you have.
In conclusion
Using fertilizer on your indoor plants is essential for their growth and development. It provides essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and promotes beneficial microorganisms. By choosing the right fertilizer and following the instructions, you can ensure that your indoor plants have what they need to thrive.
