Soil Mixes That Truly Understand Your Plants Not all soil mixes are...
Feeding your plants properly is just as important as giving them the right soil. The right nutrients help your plants grow stronger, develop lush foliage, and bloom beautifully. But with so many options and conflicting advice, it can be confusing.
This ultimate FAQ will guide you through everything you need to know about plant food for houseplants — so your plants stay truly happy and healthy.
Plant food provides essential nutrients that help plants grow. It includes macronutrients (N-P-K: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and micronutrients that support different growth functions.
They are often used interchangeably. Technically, fertiliser is the product that supplies nutrients, and "plant food" refers to what plants make from those nutrients. For houseplants, they mean the same thing.
Yes. Over time, soil nutrients run out. Regular feeding supports new growth, strong roots, and better resistance to stress. Only in closed terraria and for carnivorous plants no plant food is needed!
About 6 months after repotting or planting with SYBASoils. Our soils have slow release nutrients for this period, so wait before adding more.
This depends on which fertiliser you use, always read the instructions before adding fertiliser! Use your fertiliser regularly during spring and summer. Pause or reduce feeding in fall and winter.
They may grow slower, develop yellow or pale leaves, and become weak over time.
Yes! Overfeeding can burn roots, cause leaf browning/yellowing, and may even kill the plant.
Look for pale leaves, slow or stunted growth, or smaller new leaves.
No. Most houseplants slow down and rest in winter. Feeding can stress them and result in weak new growth.
A balanced liquid fertiliser works for most foliage plants. Flowering plants may need a fertiliser containing higher phosphorus. While others prefer organic options that are gentler and support soil microbes. You can always check our SYBASoil guide, to see our recommendation per plant species!
Liquid, slow-release granules, sticks/spikes, and foliar sprays. Each has different release rates and application styles.
A concentrated solution which should be mixed with water. It acts quickly and is easy to adjust in dosage.
Granules or pellets that release nutrients gradually over weeks or months. Convenient but harder to fine-tune.
Spraying diluted fertiliser onto leaves for a quick boost. It supplements root feeding but doesn’t replace it. Not all liquid fertilisers are suitable for this, so always check the label before doing so!
Organic fertilisers feed soil microbes and generally release nutrients slowly, reducing burn risk. Synthetic options work faster but can harm beneficial life if overused. But only synthetic fertilisers are suitable for growing plants in selfwatering or semi-hydro set-ups.
They show the ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Each supports different functions like leaf growth, root strength, and overall plant health.
Fertiliser with roughly equal N-P-K ratios, good for general maintenance and growth.
Contains all essential macronutrients and micronutrients needed for healthy growth.
They work for many plants but may not be ideal for plants like orchids, cacti or succulents.
Micronutrients (iron, zinc, etc.) support vital functions even in small amounts. Deficiencies can cause stunted or discolored growth.
Mineral fertilisers are synthetic and provide immediate nutrients but can harm microbes if overused. Organic fertilisers come from natural sources, support soil life, and generally release nutrients more gradually.
Always follow label instructions. If you want to be extra careful: use half or quarter strength for houseplants.
Only with slow-release types. Liquids should always be diluted and applied when watered.
Always check the label instructions on how often to add them! Most plants only need feeding every few weeks.
Dilute properly, avoid long periods of dry soil, and flush the pot with water if necessary.
Yes. Moist soil reduces the chance of burning roots.
Yes, but they provide less control and can create uneven feeding zones.
Spray lightly in the morning, making sure leaves dry before night. Always dilute properly. Never place the plant in direct sunlight after using a foliar spray to prevent sunburn.
No, nutrients settle or degrade in the water. Always mix fresh.
Yes, every few months to remove salts and buildup. If you can use distilled or rainwater to do this.
Yes. Fast growers need more frequent feeding; slow growers and succulents need less. Always be sure to follow label instructions, do not exceed recommended dosages.
Yes, but sparingly and only during active growth. Use low-nitrogen formulas.
Yes. Use gentle, orchid-specific fertilisers. These ensure healthy flowers and balanced growth.
They prefer balanced, mild formulas with a touch more nitrogen for foliage. Or use a green foliage fertiliser, but half the dosage!
Use higher phosphorus “bloom” formulas to support flowers but avoid overfeeding.
Foliage plants need more nitrogen; flowering plants need higher phosphorus and potassium.
About a month before so they can naturally slow down.
Wait 6 months after repotting or planting with SYBASoils. Our soils have slow release nutrients for this period, so wait before adding more. For other soils giving your plants 3-4 weeks to adjust to the new soil and pot is nice to reduce stressing the roots.
Yes, but be cautious; they generally use fewer nutrients. Overfeeding can harm them by leading to weak growth.
Yes, they rely fully on nutrient solutions. Be sure to check if your fertiliser is suited for this set-up before adding it! As not all fertilisers are suitable for this medium.
Start only after strong roots and new growth appear, using half dosage diluted fertiliser.
Yes, but homemade mixes can lack balance. Compost tea or worm casting tea are popular options.
No, it is better to compost it first. Fresh grounds can be acidic and grow mold.
They offer minimal nutrients and can promote bacteria. So, use it sparingly.
A liquid made by soaking compost or worm castings in water to extract nutrients and microbes.
Yes, worm castings are a complete (macro + micro nutrients) type of fertiliser!
Liquid fertilisers that need to be diluted with water, made of seaweed, fish emulsion, or compost extracts that feed gently and support soil microbes.
Yes, there are fertilisers on fish emulsion basis. Be sure to check the label to dilute and apply properly.
Only if there's a magnesium deficiency. It isn’t a full fertiliser. Be sure to check the label or with the producer to make sure the brand is suitable for plants!
Yes! It offers trace minerals and natural growth boosters.
They provide calcium, but break down slowly. They work better when crushed and composted first.
Leaf burn, brown tips, wilting, or white crust on soil.
Yellowing, pale leaves, weak growth, or reddish tint.
Flush soil thoroughly with water and hold off on feeding until recovery.
Not directly, but stressed plants can be more vulnerable.
This is likely due to overwatering or excess organic fertiliser, which can create anaerobic smells.
Overfeeding or wrong dilution. Flush the soil and check the label and adjust the feeding schedule if needed.
Yes, with plenty of water until drainage runs clear.
Possible overfeeding or nutrient imbalance. Flush the soil if needed.
Salt and mineral buildup. Remove the top layer and flush the soil with water.
Indirectly — overfeeding stresses roots, making them more prone to rot.
No, keep out of reach. It can be harmful if ingested. Always consult the packaging before use. In case of any emergencies always contact the local poison office.
Cool, dry, sealed, away from sun and moisture.
Yes, especially liquids. They are usually usable for 1–2 years.
Not recommended unless the label says so. Mixing can imbalance nutrients or overfeed your plants.
Overuse can cause salt buildup, harm microbes, and stain pots.
Clean right away with water. Don’t let it sit on surfaces.
Yes! Organic liquids, compost teas, and worm castings.
No, it’s too concentrated and may harm compost microbes.
Micronutrients bound in a form that’s easier for plants to absorb, especially in challenging pH conditions.
With carefully balanced liquid or slow-release blends tailored to each plant and growth stage.
Root feeding provides long-term nutrition; foliar is a fast, short-term boost applied to the leaves of the plant.
Mineral fertilisers are synthetic, quick-acting, and can disrupt soil microbes. Organic fertilisers are natural, slower, and support overall soil health.
No, they are generally too strong and formulated for outdoor conditions, so not suited for your potted houseplants.
Wrong pH can limit or even block nutrient uptake, even if the fertiliser is present in abundance in the soil.
Balanced but lower nitrogen to help preserve variegation.
Morning, so plants can absorb during daylight and leaves dry before night if sprayed.
It is best to avoid it. Heat stresses the plant, especially the roots; feeding can worsen the damage.
