Plants need different elements from the soil to grow. If they are not present in the right
amount the plants will not be as healthy or grow as they should. This is the reason plants
need fertilizer, to add the missing elements (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium). You
can give your plants too much fertilizer and that will have the opposite affect you are
going for.
The same species of plant that is grown indoors or outdoors will have different fertilizing
needs. Plants that are grown indoors have a will not need as much fertilizer as the ones
grown outside. The rate of growth is slower indoors and you can harm your plant by
over-fertilizing it.
How do you know how much fertilizer to give to your plants and when to feed it to them?
If you have purchased a plant meant for the indoors chances are the information tag it
comes with will give fertilizing instructions. But a better method to follow is observing
your plant for any signs that would indicate it is lacking nutrients.
Your plant might need fertilizer if it is not growing as fast as it should. If you notice the
growth of the plant is stunted and it is spring or summer you can safely add fertilizer in
small amounts over a period of one to two weeks. Many indoor gardeners will add
fertilizer as part of routine maintenance each spring and that is fine too. Just be careful
not too over-fertilize. Some signs that you have added to much fertilizer are the tip of the
leaves are turning brown or the leaves are drooping downwards.
All fertilizers are not made the same; they are available in different ratios of nitrogen,
phosphorous and potassium. Purchase a fertilizer meant for indoor plants or one that is
made for a specific type of plant.
