Home remedies for feeding indoor flowers

Houseplants require regular fertilization to ensure vigorous growth and flowering. Fertilizing houseplants with readily available home remedies makes life easier for gardeners—there's no need to search for special fertilizers and spend money on them (although some components may need to be purchased). They're easy to prepare and use; just follow the instructions.

The need for fertilizing houseplants

Indoor plants, like plants grown outdoors, constantly expend energy on growth and development, deriving the bulk of their nutrients from the soil. However, the growing area in a flower container is small, and the soil is rapidly depleted.

Even after replacing the substrate, after just a couple of months the plants begin to show signs of starvation, as evidenced by a deterioration in their appearance: growth slows, leaves turn pale, become smaller, turn yellow, become spotted, or begin to shed their leaves, flowers fall off or stop blooming altogether.

All of this can be avoided with timely fertilization. Moreover, fertilizing (both root and foliar) helps produce beautiful flowers that will delight you year-round. It's especially important to fertilize the plant during the most labor-intensive budding period to ensure long-lasting and abundant flowering, and large, vibrant blooms.

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Seasonal support for indoor plants

Plants develop differently throughout the year based on their morphological characteristics. At home, you can provide them with seasonal support.

In the spring

With the arrival of spring, sunlight streams through the windows, and indoor plants begin to grow vigorously. From this point on, they can be fed once every two weeks, and in April, more frequently (depending on the flower species).

The choice of fertilizer is a personal choice. Liquid complex fertilizers are recommended. They are easy to dissolve in water and water as usual. However, simpler homemade fertilizers are also available and are equally beneficial. These include pomegranate peels, citrus zest, banana peels, tea leaves, sugar, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, castor oil, wood ash, succinic acid, yeast, aloe vera juice, nettle, etc.

In summer

In summer, fertilizing can be done twice a month. All of the above-mentioned folk remedies are suitable. Mineral fertilizers include ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium salt, and superphosphate.

In the fall

For most green houseplants, autumn is a time to prepare for winter dormancy. This leads to changes in their feeding schedule.

Some species (monstera, dieffenbachia, syngonium, aglaonema, dracaena, ivy, Saintpaulia, phalaenopsis, fatsia, maranta, palm, croton, anthurium, episcia, hypoestes, etc.) have almost no winter rest.

Therefore, fertilizing in the fall and winter is not stopped, but rather gradually reduced in frequency (to once a month) and the dosage halved. Complex fertilizers with microelements are suitable for these species. Araceae, palms, and ivy can be fed with low-concentration organic matter.

30-60 days before the onset of dormancy, you can feed tuberous begonias, achimenes, hippeastrum, glorisa, zephyranthes, oleander, myrtle, pelargonium, bougainvillea, clerodendrum, cacti, and most succulents with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (nitrogen fertilizers are harmful at this time). This fertilizer will increase resistance to cold and disease. Stimulation later is not recommended.

In winter

Most plants slow or stop growing during the cold season and therefore don't require nutrients. However, this doesn't apply to azaleas and gardenias, camellias and cyclamens, gerberas and violets, Christmas cacti and begonias, and some orchids, as they bloom vigorously during this time.

They will benefit from feeding (twice every 30 days) with monopotassium phosphate in combination with micro- and macroelements (such as Cytovit) and humic substances (such as Potassium Humate). Specialized and complete fertilizers with low nitrogen content are usually selected for each type of houseplant.

The following are used as natural winter fertilizers:

• 1 teaspoon of aloe juice per 1.5 liters of water;
• infusion of pomegranate and citrus peels;
• soft water after soaking peas in it and rinsing cereals;
• used aquarium water.

Homemade recipes for feeding indoor plants

There are many such recipes. After all, flower owners are constantly experimenting, trying unexpected solutions. Depending on the flower type and growing conditions, they can achieve the desired effect.

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Hydrogen peroxide

H2O2 is effective in strengthening weakened plants. Dilute 25 g (1.5 tbsp) of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1 liter of water and water the soil with this solution once a week. It is advisable to water the leaves and stems only as a preventative measure against pests and diseases.

Castor oil

Castor oil is made from the seeds of the castor bean plant, which is poisonous to humans and animals. The plant is grown as an ornamental, and the product made from it is a beneficial and nutritious fertilizer. Castor oil stimulates plant growth and development. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to 1 liter of water and stir thoroughly.

Iodine

Another effective pharmacy product, which is a component of many mineral fertilizers, is also available. Experimental gardeners swear that flowers (especially geraniums) respond well to iodine supplementation. Dissolve 1 drop of iodine in 1 liter of water and water carefully around the edges of the pot to prevent burning the plant's roots. 50 ml is enough for one flower pot.

Yeast

Yeast is an excellent growth stimulant. Preparing the fertilizer is quite simple:

• mix 10 g of regular yeast with 1 tbsp. of sugar and dissolve in 1 liter of water;
• let the solution sit for 2 hours;
• dilute the solution with water (1:5).

The resulting infusion can be used to water the soil around plants.

Succinic acid

To prepare a nutrient solution, dissolve one tablet (0.25 g) or powder of this acid in 1 liter of water. Watering or spraying with the solution is acceptable once a year, as the substance is potent. Recommended for chlorophytums, ficus, citrus, jade plants, aglaonemas, haworthias, and prickly pears.

Wood ash

It is used in dry and liquid form (in infusions and decoctions for irrigation):

1. Dry ash is added to the soil during or after replanting, simply sprinkling it over the soil and mixing the top layer. During spring replanting, 2 tablespoons of this natural fertilizer are mixed with 1 kg of substrate, then the flower is planted in this mixture and watered. Cyclamens, fuchsias, begonias, and geraniums respond particularly well to ash.

   

2. To prepare the infusion, dilute ash (3 level tablespoons) in 1 liter of water, let it steep for 1 week, and shake daily to ensure even dissolution. Water the plants once every 1.5-2 weeks. For a 1-liter pot, 100 mg of the infusion is sufficient. It can be combined with ammonia-free organic fertilizers.
3. To make the decoction, you'll need 2 cups of water and 20 grams of ash. Boil the mixture for 1/2 hour, strain, and then dilute it in 2 liters of water. Excessive ash concentration can be harmful. The decoction is suitable for spraying for two purposes: foliar feeding and pest control. To improve the product's adhesion to the leaves, you can add another ingredient—a bar (1/3) of laundry soap.

Tea leaves

Using tea leaves can not only stimulate plant growth but also cause an infestation of sciarids—tiny black flies. Therefore, it's best to use tea leaves only as a drainage medium. They should first be dried and then mixed with the substrate (1:3) when repotting. Furthermore, feeding with tea is only recommended for flowers with delicate root systems, such as violets, peperomias, begonias, and the like.

Sugar

Sugar includes glucose, which is the energy source for all vital processes in plants. Furthermore, glucose facilitates the formation of complex organic molecules.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon of sugar in 0.5 liters of water or sprinkle granulated sugar on the soil and water with warm water. It is recommended to do this no more than once a month. To prevent mold and root rot, use sugar in combination with EM products (for example, Baikal EM-1).

Banana peel

Banana peels are rich in potassium. They should be added after preliminary preparation. First, dry them (6-7 days), then finely chop them (preferably using a blender) and mix them with soil in a flowerpot. It's best to do this when repotting flowers.

You can make an infusion: soak fresh banana peel in water until foam appears, strain, and water the plants with the resulting compote once every 2 weeks.

Nettle

A good green fertilizer that enriches the soil with nitrogen and minerals, it helps plants grow stronger and healthier. Nettle infusion is prepared as follows: soak the shoots in warm water for 24 hours, then strain. Water the flowers with the infusion once every 2 weeks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Only high-quality care, including fertilizing, can ensure the health and attractive appearance of your green houseplants. This can all be easily accomplished at home. There are a wide variety of folk remedies and recipes, but it's important to apply fertilizers promptly and provide the plants with only the necessary nutrients in the optimal amounts.