In their native habitats, plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and these nutrients are regularly replenished by cycles of decay. By contrast, houseplants are limited to the soil in their containers and must receive proper nutrition from you. Snake Plants in containers greatly benefit from regular fertilizer applications at the correct times to provide them with needed nutrients that are not available in potting soil.
Why Fertilize Snake Plants
Like most houseplants, Snake Plants can benefit from proper fertilizer application. Fertilizer can help the plant with its growth and benefit its overall health. Fertilizer replenishes needed nutrients that are depleted from potting soil over time. Fertilizing a Snake Plant can also increase the likelihood of getting the plant to bloom. Snake Plant flowers are rare and occur only once a year if at all. If you have a flowering variety, fertilizer can help encourage flowers. While Snake Plants are slow growers, fertilizer can encourage healthy growth and vibrant foliage variegation. Fertilizer will also strengthen the plant’s root system and benefit its overall health.
How Often To Fertilize Snake Plants
Snake Plants are native to dry rocky areas with low-fertility soil and are therefore not heavy feeders. The frequency of fertilizer application depends on the time of year. During the active growing season from spring to fall, Snake Plants will enjoy being fertilized no more than once a month. In the dormant period from late fall into early spring, Snake Plants do not need to be fertilized. Over-fertilizing can damage the plant, and plant food should not be applied more frequently than needed.
How To Tell If Snake Plants Needs Fertilizer
Following a regular fertilizing schedule is a good guide for knowing when a Snake Plant wants to be fertilized. Snake Plants can also show signs that they need or would benefit from fertilizer. A general lackluster appearance and slow growth are signs that your Snake Plant could benefit from a fertilizer application. Yellow or brown tips are another indication that your plant needs to be fertilized. Fertilizing should not be your first impulse though if these signs appear. Fertilizing a stressed Snake Plant can do more harm than good, so make sure to not fertilize too frequently.
Best Fertilizer For Snake Plant
When choosing a fertilizer for your Snake Plant, look for a balanced NPK ratio around 10-10-10. Liquid fertilizer is a great choice for fertilizing Snake Plants because it is easy to dilute. A great method to avoid over-fertilizing your plant is to dilute the recommended application dosage by half. This will ensure that the plant's roots are not shocked or burned with too many nutrients in one application. A great liquid fertilizer choice with a 2-2-2 NPK ratio is Espoma Organic Indoor Plant Food. Granular fertilizers can also be used but should be applied much less frequently than liquid fertilizers.
Snake Plant Fertilizing Tips
- Snake Plants have low fertilizer needs
- Fertilizing can benefit the overall health of the plant
- Fertilize no more than once a month in the active growing season
- Do not fertilize in the winter when dormant
- Liquid fertilizers are a good choice because they can easily be diluted
Warnings
-Always wear protective gloves and a face mask when handling chemical fertilizers.
-Closely follow all directions and storage guidelines that are on the fertilizer label.
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Author Katie Endicott - Published 5-22-2023 |