Succulents generally do not need too much care, but choosing the best fertilizer for succulents would do wonders for your plants. If this is your first time taking care of a succulent, then you may not know much about the fertilizers that you can use.
Most people think that succulents do not need fertilizers since they can survive in hot temperatures with no moisture, for example, a cactus. However, when you plant a succulent in your home, then fertilizers would help in making the plants more hospitable to the change in the environment.
By using the best fertilizers for succulents, you can grow them faster and better in any weather condition. There are various options when you are searching for plant fertilizer for succulents.
No matter which kind of succulent plant you are growing in your house, you will find the right fertilizer for it. Here we have reviewed some of the best fertilizers for succulents, which can help you in the process.
Table of Contents
Best Fertilizer for Succulents Plant
1. Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food
One of the best fertilizers for succulents and a very well-known brand is the Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food. This fertilizer is perfect for any kind of succulent, whether it is cacti, aloe, or jade. The fertilizer is so fast in its results that you will see noticeable change within a few days.
The fertilizer can be applied in two different ways and also has a pump bottle. This makes the measurement quite easy so that you accidentally do not add too much of the fertilizer. The standard size of the bottle is eight ounces, and you can use this bottle for a long duration.
CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON!2. EarthPods Premium Cactus and Succulent Plant Food
The EarthPods Premium Cactus and Succulent Plant Food is an organic fertilizer that is good for your plants. The fertilizer contains natural hormones for growth, trace minerals, soil microbes, and nutrients that are beneficial for your succulents.
One tube of fertilizer contains a hundred pods that are sufficient for one large succulent or many small succulents for almost six years. Each of the pods has nutrients that slowly mix into the roots, thereby benefitting the plant.
You can use one or two pods for a small plant, two or four pods for a medium plant, and four or eight pods for a large plant. Just open the pods and mix the contents in the soil, and water it.
This product is our editor’s choice for a best fertilizer for succulents.
CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON!3. Grow More 3130 Cactus Juice
If you are looking for the best liquid fertilizer for succulents, then Grow More 3130 Cactus Juice is one of the best. From its name, you may think that it is specifically made for cacti. However, this liquid fertilizer works great for other succulents as well.
The fertilizer contains calcium as well as other nutrients that are helpful for the growth of a plant. You will just have to take one teaspoon of the fertilizer and mix it in a gallon of water. Drench the soil base with the fertilizer completely. You can use fertilizer every two weeks.
The bottle is 16 ounce, and the longevity of the bottle will depend completely on your usage.
CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON!4. Schultz Cactus Plus Liquid Plant Food
Another best liquid fertilizer for succulents is the Schultz Cactus Plus Liquid Plant Food. This product is good for cacti, jade, aloe vera, and most kinds of succulents. The formula is perfect for growing strong and gorgeous plants.
The product comes with a dropper, which can be used to measure the dosage. You will have to add seven drops of the fertilizer to every quart of water. This is the standard measurement that is mentioned by the brand.
The measurement is perfect if you feed the plants at least one or two times a month. If the feeding schedule is less frequent, then you can use around 14 drops to the same measurement of water.
CHECK THE PRICE ON AMAZON!The Right Time to Fertilize Succulents
The first thing to keep in mind while fertilizing succulents is that you should not use too much. It is not mandatory to use fertilizers on succulents, but most people use it to keep the plants healthy and strong.
If you use too much fertilizer, then it will damage the roots and make the plants weak. Fertilizers on succulents should be applied at the right time. Most of the succulent plants that you have at home will be dormant during the fall to the spring season.
For holding the natural pattern of growth, you should never feed the plants during this dormant period. You can feed them throughout the winter so that they continue growing. During this period, you have to ensure that the plant is exposed to enough sunlight and water, which can contribute to its growth.
Only adding the fertilizers would not do the job. For the proper growth of the succulents, you need to provide them with every necessary ingredient. Make sure that you apply the best fertilizer for succulents following the natural growth cycle.
The cycle differs in every plant, and it is better to know the growth cycle of your plant before applying the fertilizer. The period from early spring ranging to late summer, is the perfect fertilizing time for most succulents.
If you are unsure about the growth cycle of the particular succulent, then it is better to ask the person you have purchased the succulent from. Ask the seller for any other necessary tips regarding succulent care.
Start feeding the plants at the starting of the spring season so that it can absorb the necessary nutrients during its dormant period. The right fertilizer will deliver a strong grown plant when the dormant season ends. The application frequency will also depend on the fertilizer you are using.
Frequency of Fertilizing Succulents
Now that you know the right time to fertilize the succulents, you need to learn how often it is safe to fertilize the plants. This would depend on several factors starting from the kind of succulent you have to the fertilizer you are using. Every fertilizer is different, and you need to choose the one that suits your plants the best.
Before you choose plant fertilizer for succulents, you need to conduct as much research as possible. You need to know which the best fertilizers for succulents that you have chosen are. Also, you have to see if you are comfortable with the application process of the fertilizer that you are choosing.
The fertilizer that you choose will have instructions written on the package. You can follow the standard instructions if you wish to be safe. The formulation of the fertilizers will also be different from each other. Some of the fertilizers deliver quick results by releasing the nutrients fast, while some fertilizers take a long time and work the nutrients in a slow process.
Certain succulents as well fertilizers are just a single application, while some may need to be applied more than once for best results. As stated above, the best time to apply fertilizers is during the spring season.
For the single application fertilizers, you will just have to mix them to the base during the spring season. For the ones that require multiple applications, the right time may be mentioned on the package, or you need to ask an expert for advice. Summer may be the right time to go for a second application for most succulents.
The feeding time also depends on the capacity of the plant. Some succulents are capable of handling monthly feeds while some can get damaged or even burnt if fed too much of fertilizers. For these succulents, you need to use a fertilizer that is quite mild.
Research is the key to understanding how much fertilizer is suitable for your plant. You have to be very aware of how much you are using to keep your succulent alive. It does not take much to destroy a succulent if the right measurements are not followed.
The Process of Fertilizing Succulents
The application process of the succulent would depend on the type of fertilizer that you are using.
Pellets
The most common form of fertilizer is a pellet. These are small balls that are coated with nutrients that slowly mix with the soil. The application process of pellets is generally very easy.
You will have to add the pellets and then pour water over them to mix it with the soil. IF you are focusing on new growth, then it is better to spread the pellet all over the pot. For fertilizing existing plants, you can add it in one area and then mix it using water.
Capsules
Capsules or pods are another very common type of fertilizer. You can place the whole capsule in the soil near the base and then water the soil. For better results, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the nutrients into the soil directly.
It will be much easier to mix with the soil than the whole capsule. For plants that require proper growth, you can use the second method. Be very careful while applying capsules since more can be very harmful to the plant.
Concentrated Fertilizers
When using liquid fertilizers, concentrating it is the best option. All you have to do it take the right amount of fertilizer in a spray bottle and mix it with the required amount of water. This is one of the easiest ways to apply fertilizer.
You have perfect control over the amount of plant food you are providing to the succulents. Moreover, you can also spread them in different areas that you think need the fertilizers. You will have to spray the fertilizer near the roots to ensure that it works properly.
Concentrated fertilizers should also be diluted in water and not applied directly. The direct application may weaken the plant base.
Spray Fertilizers
Some fertilizers come in a spray bottle itself, and these are also very easy to apply. These spray fertilizers are generally short-lasting and need frequent applications. Depending on your succulents and the spray fertilizer you are using, prepare a proper schedule for the feeding.
FAQs
1. Can I Use All-Purpose Fertilizer On Succulents?
Using fertilizers for succulents is a good idea if you want them to grow properly. However, you need to be very cautious about the kind of fertilizer you are using. If you wish to use an all-purpose fertilizer, then it must be only of the best brand.
Opting for all-purpose fertilizers that are not good for your succulent will damage it. Search for all-purpose fertilizers that are highly recommended and very commonly used by most people.
2. Can You Give Succulents Miracle Grow?
Miracle Grow is quite a famous brand when it comes to planting food. Irrespective of the kind of succulent you are using, Miracle Grow can be quite good. If you are searching for the best liquid fertilizer for succulents, the Miracle Grow is perfect.
The best thing about Miracle Grow is that it can be used for both outdoors and indoors succulents. Quite easy to use, this fertilizer can be used directly on the soil or mixed with water. Miracle Grow also comes in a pump bottle, which means that you can measure the amount of fertilizer you are using.
3. When to Fertilize Cactus and Succulents?
Feeding your succulents and cacti should be done only once a year. This is because using too much fertilizer can weaken the plants. If there are new growths in the plants, it will also be very weak. That is why experts advise not to use a great deal of fertilizer.
Some people water the plants by adding a slight amount of fertilizer. This method is called fertigation. Some people give monthly feeds to the plant. The right time to feed the plants would be during the growing season or before it. The amount of fertilizer used should also not be much.
4. Are Coffee Grounds Good For Succulents?
When using fertilizers for succulents, you can use diluted coffee. However, a coffee ground is not the best option when it comes to potted succulents. This is because potted plants do not have the right amount of microbes to break the coffee grounds to benefit the succulent.
For the best use, the coffee grounds can be brewed into coffee and then diluted with water. This diluted form of coffee can then be used as a fertilizer. It will work better than any chemical fertilizer and help in the growth of the succulent.
Use a good brand coffee ground so that it does not harm your plants.
5. How do I make my succulents thrive?
Be sure that your succulent plants have enough lighting. You have to change their position frequently by rotating .
The choice of the container is also important – choose one with derange
Watering depending on the season. It is important to keep the plants clean and pest free .
6. Are eggshells good for succulents?
You can certainly add eggshells to your succulent plants. By adding them, you feed your plants with an extra dose of calcium, as well as a bit more extra potassium.
Your succulents will probably need nitrogen, so you might consider adding an additional product that contains it.
7. Are banana peels good for succulents?
Yes, you can use banana peels as a fertilizer for your succulent plants, as they contain some essential minerals that are good for them.
James Fields is the founder of Gardener to Farmer. His passion for gardening goes back to his childhood days when he would visit his grandfather during the holidays and help him with the plants in the backyard. This has now translated to creating a dependable resource for gardening.