Succulent fertilizer is something you should consider if you’re not satisfied with the growth of your plants. But not all succulents are created equal: some require more nutrients than others do, and some types can’t tolerate succulent fertilizer at all. Before you add any succulent fertilizer to your garden, it’s important to understand what kind of plant it is and how much fertilizer it needs. In this article we’ll explain how often you should use succulent fertilizer as well as what type of fertilizer works best for each type of plant—and when not to use them at all!
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Fertilize During Growth
If you do choose to use succulent fertilizer, don’t overdo it. Succulent plant food can be harmful if too much is applied at one time. It should be applied in small amounts throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons to encourage healthy growth and coloration.
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Imbalanced Fertilizer
If you have soil that’s too acidic or low in nutrients, it can cause your plants to grow more leaves and stems but less roots and flowers. This is called “nitrogen deficiency.” The opposite is called “nitrogen overabundance,” which means that there’s not enough nitrogen in the soil for healthy growth of roots and flowers.
You’ll want to use succulent fertilizer with a balanced blend of NPK (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium) levels so that each type of plant has what it needs!
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How Much Fertilizer
When it comes to succulent fertilizer, there are some rules you should follow. First and foremost, use only half the recommended amount at first and gradually increase the amount if necessary. If your plant is growing slowly or shows no signs of growth, try increasing the dose again until you find a dosage that works for your plant.
If you’re looking to add more nutrients than just nitrogen and phosphorus (P), look into using other types such as potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca). These elements can help strengthen root systems so they grow stronger over time—a great way to make sure they don’t get lost in all that dirt!
Also be careful not let too much succulent fertilizer touch the leaves; this could lead them toward nutrient burn which means losing all their leaves except one which leads directly into death due how severe it gets when left untreated long enough.
My favorite type of commercial succulent fertilizer is a solid kind that I just mix into the soil. The nutrients are released slowly so as to not burn the succulents. You can find it here: https://amzn.to/3A5ih7a
Overuse of Fertilizer
Overusing succulent fertilizer on soil can have a number of negative effects on soil fertility and plant health, including:
- Soil Salinity: Excessive succulent fertilizer application can lead to an accumulation of salts in the soil, which can cause soil structure to degrade and make it difficult for plants to absorb water and nutrients.
- Algae and Microbial Growth: Fertilizer runoff into water bodies can lead to excessive algae and microbial growth, which can cause a decrease in oxygen levels and harm aquatic life.
- Nutrient Imbalances: Overfertilization can create imbalances in soil nutrients, which can lead to deficiencies or toxicities of certain elements and affect plant growth and health.
- Soil Acidity: Certain types of succulent fertilizers, such as ammonium-based fertilizers, can acidify soil and cause an imbalance in pH levels.
- Leaching: Excessive succulent fertilizer application can lead to leaching of nutrients beyond the root zone of plants, where they can no longer be absorbed and used, leading to waste and environmental pollution.
- Increased Pest and Disease Pressure: Overfertilized plants may be more susceptible to pests and diseases, as they are less able to withstand stress and may be more attractive to insects and pathogens.
By using succulent fertilizer in moderation and applying it in a way that is consistent with soil test results and the needs of the plants being grown, you can help to maintain soil fertility and promote healthy plant growth.
8 Homemade DIY Succulent Fertilizer Recipes
While it’s possible to purchase commercial succulent fertilizers, there are also several household items that can be used as a natural and cost-effective alternative. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some common household items that can be used as homemade fertilizers for succulents.
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Benefits of DIY Succulent Fertilizer
Using homemade succulent fertilizer has several benefits, including:
- Cost-effectiveness: Most household items used as fertilizers are things that you already have on hand, saving you money on commercial fertilizers.
- Convenience: No need to make a trip to the store, simply use what you already have in your home.
- Sustainability: Using natural, biodegradable products is a more sustainable option than commercial succulent fertilizer, which may contain chemicals that can harm the environment.
Here are some common household items that can be used as DIY homemade succulent fertilizer:
Compost/Compost Tea
Compost is an excellent source of slow-release nutrients for plants, including succulents. To use compost as a homemade succulent fertilizer for succulents, simply mix it into the soil around the base of the plant. The microbes and bacteria in the soil will take it from there. Another way you can use compost is to make compost tea.
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Compost tea is a liquid succulent fertilizer made by steeping compost in water. The process of making compost tea is simple and can be done at home with a few basic materials. Here’s how to make compost tea:
- Fill a large container with water.
- Add compost to a burlap sack or cheesecloth bag and tie it closed.
- Submerge the bag of compost in the water and let it steep for 24 to 48 hours.
- Stir the mixture occasionally to help release the nutrients from the compost into the water.
- Remove the bag of compost from the water and strain the liquid into a separate container.
- The compost tea is now ready to use as a fertilizer for your succulents. Simply dilute the tea with water to the desired strength and use it to water the plants.
It’s important to note that compost tea should be used fresh, as it can quickly become contaminated with harmful bacteria. To maximize the benefits of compost tea, it should be applied within a few hours of being brewed.
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Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using compost or compost tea as a succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Improves soil structure
- Helps retain moisture, so be careful and use compost sparingly
- Provides a slow-release source of nutrients to plants
Cons:
Keep a small compost bin in your kitchen so you can toss your scraps and empty it easily.
Eggshells
Eggshells are a natural source of calcium, which is important for strong cell walls and root development in plants. To use eggshells as a DIY succulent fertilizer, first remove the membrane inside the shell, crush the shells into fine pieces and sprinkle around the base of the succulent. Over time, the eggshells will break down and release calcium into the soil. The smaller the eggshell bits, the faster the calcium will be released into the soil. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using eggshells as a homemade succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Provides a natural source of calcium
- Supports strong cell walls and root development
Cons:
- Can raise the soil’s pH if used in excess, making it too alkaline for succulents
Banana Peels/Banana Peel Water
Banana peels are a rich source of potassium, which is important for plant growth and flowering. To use banana peels as a DIY succulent fertilizer, bury them in the soil near the roots of the succulent. Alternatively, chop up the peels and boil them in water to make a potassium-rich tea. Let the tea cool to room temperature before using it to water the succulent. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using banana peel or banana peel water as a succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Rich source of potassium
- Supports plant growth and flowering
Cons:
- Can raise the soil’s potassium levels if used in excess, leading to poor growth and stunted development in succulents.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are a rich source of nitrogen, which is important for leafy growth and healthy green foliage in plants. I love using coffee grounds as succulent fertilizer because I drink at least a pot of coffee every morning, so I might as well put those grounds to good use! To use coffee grounds as a homemade fertilizer, sprinkle them on top of the soil or mix them into the soil around the base of the succulent. Sometimes, I’ll just add it to my soil bin if it is more convenient for me. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using coffee grounds as a homemade succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Rich source of nitrogen
- Supports leafy growth and healthy green foliage
Cons:
- Can lower the soil’s pH if used in excess, making it too acidic for succulents
Fish Tank Water
Fish tank water is a rich source of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are important for plant growth. We used to have a 40 gallon fish tank and when I’d use fish tank water to water my succulents, they thrived like never before. It almost makes me want to keep another fish tank just for the water! To use fish tank water as a succulent fertilizer, simply dilute it and use it to water your succulents. You would think it could make the soil stinky because fish, but that isn’t the case at all. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using fish tank water as a homemade succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Rich source of nutrients
- Supports overall plant growth
Cons:
- Can contain harmful chemicals or toxins if the fish tank is not properly maintained
- Can raise the soil’s salinity levels if used in excess, leading to poor growth in succulents
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a rich source of magnesium, which is important for photosynthesis and healthy chlorophyll production in plants. This is probably the DIY fertilizer I’m least likely to use since I love taking hot baths with Epsom salts. I digress… To use Epsom salt as a fertilizer, dilute it in water and use it to water the succulent once a month. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using Epsom salt as a homemade succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Rich source of magnesium
- Supports photosynthesis and healthy chlorophyll production
Cons:
- Can raise the soil’s salinity levels if used in excess, leading to poor growth in succulents
Be sure to get plain, unscented Epsom salt like the one below:
Wood Ash
Wood ash is a rich source of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, which are important for plant growth and flowering. My husband likes to smoke meats and he usually dumps the used wood pellets in my soil bin to boost the nutrients and put them to good use. To use wood ash as homemade plant food, sprinkle it on top of the soil or mix it into the soil around the base of the succulent. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using wood ash as a homemade succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Rich source of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus
- Supports plant growth and flowering
Cons:
- Can raise the soil’s pH if used in excess, making it too alkaline for succulents
Rice Water
Rice water is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are important for plant growth. In this house, we pretty much always have a pot of rice in the rice cooker and before hitting that cook button, I always rinse my rice at least twice so it isn’t a gooey mess. I have a dedicated watering can under the sink that I put the rice water in so I can water my plants with it. For convenience sake, my houseplants are usually the recipients of the rice water fertilizer.
To use rice water as a succulent fertilizer, simply soak rice in water, strain the water, and use it to water the succulent. Other guides will say to soak your rice overnight, but that’s excessive. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when using rice water as a succulent fertilizer:
Pros:
- Rich source of vitamins and minerals
- Supports overall plant growth
Cons:
- Can raise the soil’s salinity levels if used in excess, leading to poor growth in succulents
Succulents are not hard to care for, but they may seem a little overwhelming at first. If you’re new to succulents, then it may seem like there’s a lot to learn about them. But once you get the hang of it, caring for your succulent garden will be easy and fun! We hope this guide has helped you understand some basic tips on how best to fertilize your plants without causing any harm. It’s important that we all take care of our gardens so they’ll remain healthy long into future generations.
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