Like most succulent growers, you need to do everything you can to ensure your plants thrive.
Succulents are hardy plants that typically thrive with little care, but there are a few things you can do to give them an extra boost.
One of them is fertilizing your succulents.
But do succulents need fertilizer? What kind of fertilizer should you use? How often do you have to fertilize them?
This blog post will answer all your questions about fertilizing succulents!
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Do succulents need fertilization?
Succulents don't always need fertilizer, but they will benefit just like any other plant.
Fertilizer helps give your plants the nutrients they need to grow big and strong.
If you don't fertilize them, your plants will still grow just fine, but they may not be as healthy or vigorous as they would be with a little extra help.
Succulents grow best in nutrient-rich soil.
So if you're not fertilizing your succulents, make sure the potting soil you use is of a high quality.
If you don't have a high-quality potting mix, your plants will do better with a little fertilizer.
Feeding succulents can also help them gain additional energy, allowing them to grow faster and flower more often.
If you don't use fertilizer, your plants will continue to grow well as long as they are in the right conditions and get plenty of sunlight.
If they get enough light, water, and nutrients from the soil, they don't need extra fertilization to thrive.
But adding a little more food from time to time can do wonders for your succulents!
When should I fertilize my succulents?
The best time to fertilize succulents is when they are actively growing.This usually happens in spring and summer when the days are longer and warmer.
During winter and other times when your plants don't get enough light, don't fertilize them at all.
When the days are shorter and there is less sunlight available for photosynthesis, succulents will slow down or stop growing altogether.
When this happens, don't fertilize them as it will do more harm than good.
Instead of using energy to grow new leaves or stems, they use it to process fertilizer. They can eventually die from lack of nutrition.
However, you can fertilize succulents at any time of the year, as long as they are actively growing.
If you need to know if the plants are growing, wait until they show new growth before fertilizing.
If you're still working out, don't worry! Your succulents should do just fine without any additional fertilization.
As long as they get enough light and water to stay healthy, they don't need extra food.
but if you wantsucculents grow fasterOr in order to bloom more often, it will be useful to add a little fertilizer.
Fertilize when your succulents are most active and you will see the best results!
How often should succulents be fertilized?
When it comes to fertilizing succulents, less is more. Over-fertilizing plants can do more harm than good!
If you decide to use fertilizer, do so every few months during the spring growing season (spring and summer).
Fertilize your succulents in early spring, when they start to grow again after winter dormancy. Then do it once or twice in the summer, about every two months.
Do not fertilize succulents in the fall or winter, when they are dormant and do not need additional nutrients.
If you fertilize your succulents too often, the excess fertilizer can burn their roots or cause them to grow too fast. Over-fertilizing makes them more prone to overwatering, root rot, or other problems.
Fertilize every two months during the growing season to prevent this from happening.
If you don't have time to fertilize regularly, don't worry.
They do not need additional nutrients from fertilizers and will grow well without additional food.
It is better not to fertilize than to overfertilize!
But if you want your plants to reach their full potential, adding extra food from time to time will do wonders.
You should also avoid fertilizing succulents after transplanting or planting them in new soil.
The nutrients in the fertilizer will burn up your roots before they have time to acclimate to their new environment!
What fertilizer is best for succulents?
There are many different types of fertilizers on the market, and not all of them are suitable for succulents.
For succulents, it is necessary to use a balanced fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorous and potassium.
Nitrogen helps plants grow, but too much can do succulents more harm than good.
It is best to use a fertilizer that contains less nitrogen and more phosphate and potassium, two nutrients found in most plant fertilizers.
A balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half is ideal for succulents.
You can also use slow-release fertilizers, which release nutrients into the soil over time.
Just make sure it's low in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium!
When looking for a good fertilizer for succulents, keep the following in mind:
- Do not use manure or compost, as these are high in nitrogen and can do more harm than good to plants.
- Do not use fertilizer diluted to maximum concentration as this will burn their roots!
- Do not fertilize during the winter months when the succulents are dormant.
- Use a balanced fertilizer low in nitrogen, high in phosphorus and potassium.
An excellent succulent fertilizer specially formulated for cacti and succulents. You can dilute a balanced liquid fertilizer to half its strength.
Just make sure it doesn't contain manure or compost, they are high in nitrogen and can do more harm than good!
How much fertilizer do succulents need?
When fertilizing succulents, use less fertilizer. A little goes a long way!
Succulents don't need a lot of fertilizer to stay healthy and grow at a normal rate.
If you use liquid fertilizer, do not dilute it to its maximum concentration.
Instead, mix one part diluted solution to two parts water and apply the mixture every few months during the growing season.
For slow-release granular fertilizers, follow package directions for how much to use.
But remember, a little goes a long way!
It is not necessary to fertilize succulents weekly or monthly.
A good rule of thumb is to fertilize every other month in spring and summer (usually between April and September).
If you don't want to fertilize your succulents every two months, don't worry!
Even without any additional succulent plant food, they will grow well and continue to grow at a normal rate.
If you want to give them a little extra nutrition or don't have time to fertilize them every two months, don't worry.
You can skip feedings for a month or two and then go back to regular feedings.
If your succulents get enough water and light during this time, they will grow just fine without any additional plant food!
How to fertilize succulents: a step by step guide
Now that we know about fertilizers for succulents, let's see how to fertilize them correctly.
The best way to fertilize succulents is with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
The following steps will show you how:
1. Water the plants and then allow the soil to dry out.
This is a crucial step to take before fertilizing your succulents. You want the potting soil in your pot or container to be dry before you fertilize. this helpsPrevent succulents from root rot, what is it that you do not want!
After watering your succulents, wait until the soil surface is dry before fertilizing. This usually takes a day or two, but can take longer in cold or wet weather.
If your succulents are in the ground, water before fertilizing.
If you do this too often, you can cause weak roots and do more harm than good!
2. Prepare fertilizer
Once the soil is dry, it's time to prepare the fertilizer.
You should use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half its strength. This means that you should mix one part fertilizer with two parts water.
Do not apply undiluted liquid fertilizers directly to succulents, as this will burn them!
If you use granular fertilizer, you must dissolve it in water before application. Otherwise, the fertilizer will remain on the surface of the soil and do nothing.
3. Add fertilizer to the soil.
Once the fertilizer is half diluted, you're ready to pour it over the plants.
Water the succulents with diluted fertilizer until the fertilizer begins to run out of the pot or container.
If you don't, your succulents won't get enough nutrients from the fertilizer.
4. Don't water succulents for a week.
After fertilizing your succulents, don't water them for at least a week. This will allow the fertilizer to soak into the soil and provide your plants with plenty of nutrients!
During this time, keep an eye on your succulents to make sure they don't wilt or fade.
If so, you probably need to water them ASAP!
After a week, the succulents can be watered normally.
You can do this by checking the soil moisture level and watering when the soil surface is dry.
Succulents don't like to be in water, so don't overwater them!
final thoughts
Growing succulents is easy but requires proper care. But do succulents need fertilizer?
In general, most succulents do not require frequent fertilization. A small amount of fertilizer every two months during the growing season is sufficient.
Too much fertilizer can harm succulents, so care must be taken when fertilizing.
In most cases, less is morejuicy care。
If you decide to fertilize your plants, start slowly and gradually increase as needed.
Some people don't fertilize succulents because they grow best with little to no fertilizer.
Succulents are generally very hardy and will grow well even with infrequent fertilization.
Related Posts
How long can succulents go without watering?Should you spray your succulents and cacti?Do succulents need direct sunlight? (how much sunlight do they like)
FAQs
Do succulents need fertilization? (All you need to know)? ›
However, as a general rule, succulents planted outdoors typically don't require extra feeding. As long as they are planted in healthy soil with plenty of activity, they can typically survive without an extra boost. That's not to say you shouldn't fertilize, but that they will usually be fine without it.
How often do succulents need to be fertilized? ›While you can fertilize succulents as often as once a month, especially if you're using manure tea, they will generally do just fine with one fertilizing each year in the spring. For a lot of succulents this is the beginning of their growing season so they are ready to use the added nutrients.
What type of fertilizer do succulents need? ›All-purpose fertilizers can also be used, but you're better off diluting it to half-strength. Succulents aren't heavy feeders, so you don't need to go overboard. Water-soluble solutions are simple because you can just mix it up into some water and pour it directly into the soil. Easy peasy!
How often do you fertilize cactus and succulents? ›In the springtime, you should inspect your cacti each week for signs of new growth, and begin fertilizing them when new growth appears. After that, fertilizer should be applied every eight weeks throughout the spring and summer. You should fertilize cacti a total of three times during these seasons.
What happens if you don't fertilize succulents? ›However, as a general rule, succulents planted outdoors typically don't require extra feeding. As long as they are planted in healthy soil with plenty of activity, they can typically survive without an extra boost. That's not to say you shouldn't fertilize, but that they will usually be fine without it.
Is Miracle Grow good for succulents? ›All succulents need lightweight, well-draining soil. Improve the planting area by mixing one part Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus with one part native soil. This will improve the soil density and add nutrition to give succulent plants a boost.
Do succulents like Miracle-Gro fertilizer? ›The Miracle-Gro succulent plant food is one of the top-rated fertilizers that works for all types of succulents. With an effective NPK ratio of 0.5-1-1, it feeds the plants and gives them a health boost immediately upon application.
Do coffee grounds help succulents? ›Yes, succulents love coffee grounds, especially when they absorb all of the nutrients that coffee grounds provide. Coffee grounds are very acidic, and succulents grow well and love acidic soil. Coffee grounds are also loaded with nutrients including magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen.
How often should I use Miracle Gro succulent food? ›Instantly feed succulent plants, including cacti with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. The formula is designed for all cacti, jade, aloe, and other popular succulents. Apply directly to the soil, or mix it with water and apply to plants every 2 weeks.
Are tea bags good for succulents? ›A tea bag should be soaked in about 5 gallons of water for 24 – 36 hours until the liquid turns a golden-brown color. This water can replace tap water when your succulent is dry and needs a drink.
How often do succulents need new soil? ›
On average, you should repot your succulents every two years to make sure the soil is fresh and fertile and there is enough space for the plant to grow.
Do succulents in pots need fertilizer? ›Succulents in pots need feeding more than in-ground plants do, because roots access a limited amount of soil. Liquid fertilizer (pots): Give about half the concentration of the dose recommended on the package.
How often must I water my succulents? ›The most important rule for watering succulents is this: Only water when the soil in the succulents' growing container is bone dry. We repeat, let the soil dry out completely between waterings. If the soil isn't crumbly, dry dirt, don't water it. See, most houseplants want their soil moist at all times.