Succulents, because of their ability to store moisture and nutrients, usually require less watering and fertilizer than other varieties of houseplants. In this article, we will talk about the best fertilizers for succulents.
First, we will talk about homemade fertilizers for succulents, i.e., those that we can make ourselves at home. Then we will talk about commercial succulent fertilizers in case you don’t feel like making one.
Do Succulents Need Fertilizer?
Succulent plants do not need fertilizer to survive. With the right fertilizer, they will grow healthier and stronger. Believe me, they will thank you.
With the right nutrient’s succulents grow better, bloom fully, and will look better. They will respond better to environmental stresses. With a light fertilizer, your succulents will thrive.
When to Fertilize Succulents?
To know when to fertilize your succulents you need to know when they are actively growing. Most succulents begin their annual growth in spring. Others grow in winter.
Ideally, fertilize them as soon as their growing season begins. Never fertilize them when they are resting.
If your succulent grows during spring and summer, it is best to fertilize only during these months. In autumn and winter, it will not be necessary to fertilize your succulents.
What Fertilizer for Succulents?
When choosing the right fertilizer for succulents you can opt for:
- Buy a specific fertilizer for succulents.
- Use a universal fertilizer for indoor plants.
- Make our homemade fertilizer for succulents as we will explain later.
The truth is that there are not many succulent-specific fertilizers on the market, and that is partly because there is such a diversity of succulents with such different needs that it is difficult to produce a fertilizer that fits them all.
At the end of this article, we will leave you the links to some succulent fertilizers that we tested ourselves on our plants and had success with.
What Fertilizer NOT to Use for Succulent Plants
Do not use fertilizers with high nitrogen content. Excessive amounts of nitrogen will make the plant grow fast, but it will be weak to defend itself against common pests. Don’t use fertilizers if the amount of nitrogen is higher than 10.
Do not use slow-release fertilizers. These are extremely potent and can burn succulents instead of helping them grow.
Fertilizer for Succulents with Banana Peels
To make this tea is very simple, you will need:
The peel of 5 bananas.
32 oz of water (1 liter).
Preparation:
We put to heat the water and when it is boiling add the banana peels, lower the flame and let it boil for about 10 to 15 min. Once the time has elapsed let it cool, remove the peels and the liquid is what we will use to fertilize our succulents.
This fertilizer or fertilizer is advisable that you use it in those succulents and cactus that are blooming, this way you will provide them with an additional source of potassium that will benefit them in their flowering, add it preferably once every two weeks.
You can also place the peel directly in the substrate if you wish, but for this, we recommend that you let the peels dry very well and cut them into very small pieces to put them in the pot.
Don’t forget that because this fertilizer is organic it can decompose quickly, so make it preferably one day before you are going to use it and use it in its entirety.
Fertilizer for Succulents with Eggshells
Eggshells are an excellent calcium contributor for our succulents, all you have to do is wash the eggshells very well (you only need water) making sure to remove all traces of white and yolk that might have been left on them.
Once you have cleaned them well, let them dry perfectly (preferably in the sunlight) and then grind or grind them with the help of a blender, the more pulverized they are the better.
You can mix this fertilizer in the substrate of your succulents and cacti, the amount will depend on the size of the pot and if you add it once a month it will be more than enough.
Fertilizer for Succulents with Rice Water
Just as you have read them, if you usually cook rice, you will know that to use it, it is recommended that you wash it, well, you will no longer have to throw that water away thinking that it is useless, save it for your succulents.
This fertilizer contains starch, so all you have to do is to take a portion of rice and add 3 portions of water at room temperature, stir it well and strain it, the resulting water is what will serve as fertilizer for our succulents.
You can use this fertilizer once a week, it will help especially those succulents that you have indoors and those that are blooming. Like the banana fertilizer, it is recommended that you use it as soon as it is ready and do not save anything for later because it will not work.
Best Fertilizers for Succulents
If we do not want to make our homemade fertilizer for succulents, we can get specific fertilizers of very good quality and which we have tested with success.
We must make sure that they are in proportion 8-8-8-8 or 10-10-10 and follow the manufacturer’s instructions because depending on the brand vary a little the proportions to fertilize our succulents.
Here are the ones we recommend; you will be able to buy directly from the links we leave without any extra cost.
Remember not to use fertilizer if the first number (nitrogen) is greater than 10. For example, you can use 3-4-6, 5-8-10, or 6-12-12. Try to use a fertilizer with less nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium.
Learn more about How to Take Care of Succulents.
