Like most people, you may be wondering if adding fertilizer to your succulents is necessary. When I first started caring for succulents, I had similar questions.
Succulents are often viewed as low-maintenance plants that require little attention, but the truth is that they do benefit from occasional fertilization. Fertilizers can provide essential nutrients that are sometimes lacking in the soil, leading to healthier and more vibrant plants.
However, it’s important to understand the best practices for fertilizing succulents to avoid over-fertilization, which can be detrimental to the plant’s growth.
In this article, we will explore the benefits and types of succulent fertilizers, the best time to fertilize your plants, and how often you should do so.
Benefits of Fertilizing Succulents
While it’s not essential to fertilize your succulents, it can be beneficial. It helps provide your plants with the nutrients to help them grow healthy.
- Improved growth: Succulents need nutrients to grow, and fertilizers can provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that help promote healthy growth.
- Enhanced color: Fertilizers can help enhance the color of your succulents by providing the necessary micronutrients that the plants need.
- Stronger roots: Fertilizers can help strengthen the roots of your succulents, which is important for their overall health and growth.
- Improved resistance to pests and diseases: Succulents that receive regular fertilizer applications tend to be more resistant to pests and diseases.
- Increased bloom production: Certain fertilizers can help promote blooming in succulents.
It is important to keep in mind that too much fertilizer can be harmful to succulents. Over-fertilization can lead to nutrient imbalances, which can cause root burn, leaf drop, or other issues. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fertilizer application rates and frequency and to only fertilize your succulents during the growing season when they are actively growing.
What Is The Best Time To Fertilize Succulents?
For optimal results, it’s recommended to fertilize your succulents during their active growing season, which typically occurs during the warmer months of spring and autumn when the daytime temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius (~ 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
This is the time when your plants will begin actively growing and require the extra nutrients provided by the fertilizer.
How Often Do Succulents Need Fertilizing?
As for how often, it’s best to do it sparingly – about once a month or every other month. Over-fertilizing can lead to root burn and other issues, so it’s important to use a light hand.
If you have succulents indoors, I recommend only fertilizing them once a year. Indoor succulents need a lot more light to keep their compact shape. If you give them fertilizer they will grow faster and if they aren’t getting enough sunlight, they will start to stretch.
How To Fertilize Succulents
Fertilizing your succulents is a key part of their care if you want to provide added nutrients that help them grow and stay healthy. There are several different ways to fertilize your succulents, and each method has its own benefits.
Fertilizing Succulents in a Pot
When it comes to fertilizing succulents in a pot, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to choose the right type of fertilizer. Fish emulsion, manure tea, or an all-purpose granular fertilizer are all good options.
Fish emulsion is a liquid fertilizer made from fish waste and is a good source of nitrogen. Manure tea is made by steeping manure in water and can be a good source of nutrients like potassium and phosphorus. All-purpose granular fertilizer is a balanced blend of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Fertilizing Succulents in the Garden
Succulents that are planted in the ground typically don’t require fertilization. However, if you want to give them a little extra love in the spring, applying a balanced granular fertilizer can do the trick (although it’s not essential).
To promote growth for the following spring, consider applying Ironite in the autumn. For best results, apply before a rainstorm to help the nutrients penetrate the soil.
Commercial Fertilizers
When it comes to choosing the best fertilizer for your succulents, look for a product that’s specifically formulated for cacti and succulents. Remember to look for fertilizers that have an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Liquid Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer is an easy and effective way to provide essential nutrients to your succulents.
Start by diluting your liquid fertilizer, such as fish emulsion, in a watering can. Mix the fertilizer and water in a half-and-half ratio. Next, pour the diluted fertilizer directly onto the soil. Keep pouring until you see the solution run out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. This ensures that the roots are thoroughly watered and helps to prevent any potential root damage.
If your succulent’s leaves completely cover the top of its pot, it may be difficult to pour the fertilizer solution directly onto the soil. In this case, you can place the succulent pot on a saucer and add the solution to the pot. This will allow the soil to absorb the liquid and nourish the roots without damaging its delicate leaves.
Granular Fertilizer
Granular fertilizer is a slow-release source of nutrients that can be a convenient and effective way to provide essential nutrients to your succulents.
- Choose a balanced granulated fertilizer that has an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, such as a 10-10-10. The label will typically have ‘all-purpose fertilizer’ or ‘all-purpose granular plant food’ and show ‘10-10-10’ or ‘triple 15’
- Water your succulent thoroughly a day or two before applying the fertilizer. This will help prevent the roots from burning.
- Sprinkle a small amount of granulated fertilizer onto the soil surface around the base of your succulent, following the instructions on the fertilizer package for the amount to use.
- Use a small hand rake or your fingers (I wear disposable gloves) to gently work the granules into the top inch of soil.
- Water your succulent after applying the fertilizer to help activate it and prevent the roots from burning.
- Avoid getting the fertilizer on the leaves or stem of the succulent, as this may cause damage.
- Apply the granulated fertilizer every two to three months during the growing season or as recommended on the package instructions.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to start with a small amount of fertilizer and gradually increase it if necessary. Over-fertilizing can cause harm to your succulents, so it’s better to err on the side of caution
Organic Alternatives
Organic fertilizers can offer a slower, more long-lasting approach to providing nutrients to your succulents, as well as helping to improve soil quality and support beneficial microbial activity. Let’s have a look at some organic alternatives.
ManureTea Fertilizer
Manure tea is an organic fertilizer that can provide a nutrient boost to your succulents.
It’s important to choose appropriate manure. Only use composted manure from herbivores such as cows, horses, goats, or sheep. You can either get fresh manure from a local farmer or buy bagged manure at your nearest nursery or garden center.
Here are 2 ways to make manure tea fertilizer for succulents:
Manure Tea in a Bucket:
- Fill a large bucket or container with water, adding the manure to the water in a ratio of ⅓ manure to ⅔ of water.
- Stir the mixture well to ensure the manure is evenly distributed.
- Let the mixture steep for at least three days, stirring it once a day. If the weather is hot, keep the mixture in a shaded area to prevent it from overheating.
- After three days, strain the manure tea through a cheesecloth or fine mesh to remove any solids.
- Pour the diluted manure tea directly onto the soil around your succulents, avoiding contact with the leaves. Water the plants as you would normally after applying any fertilizer.
Manure Tea Bag:
A manure tea bag is exactly what it sounds like, manure steeped in water. This creates a nutrient-rich liquid that can be easily diluted and applied to your garden plants for optimal growth.
- Fill a large muslin or cheesecloth bag with the manure, making sure to tie the top securely. You can use a cotton pillowcase if you wish.
- Fill a large bucket or container with water, adding the manure to the water in a ratio of ⅓ manure to ⅔ of water.
- Let the manure tea bag steep in the water for at least three days, stirring it once a day. Again, if the weather is hot, keep the container in a shaded area.
- After three days, remove the manure tea bag from the container and gently squeeze out any excess liquid.
- Pour the manure tea directly onto the soil around your succulents, avoiding contact with the leaves.
- Now you can add the used manure back into your compost.
Use manure tea sparingly as over-fertilizing your succulents can harm them. Apply once a month during the growing season or when your succulents appear to need a nutrient boost.
Already Made Manure Tea Bag:
If you want a simple option, I recommend Authentic Haven Brand Natural Brew, available from Amazon. One tea bag makes around 5 gallons of manure tea. It’s as simple as adding the tea bag to your bucket of water and allowing it to sit for 6 – 24 hours, depending on how much you’re making.
If you’re making 1 gallon, I would let the manure tea bag steep for 6 hours, for 5 gallons, I would allow it to steep for 24hrs. Once your tea has finished steeping, simply remove the teabag and pour the tea in a watering can and pour it over your succulents.
Egg Shell Fertilizer
Fertilizing your succulents with eggshell fertilizer is a natural and easy way to provide them with essential nutrients. Here are the steps to follow:
- First, collect eggshells and rinse them clean. You can use eggshells from any type of egg, but it’s best to use organic eggs if possible.
- Let the eggshells dry out completely. Once they are dry, crush them into small pieces. You can use a mortar and pestle or a food processor to do this.
- Sprinkle the crushed eggshells onto the soil around your succulents. Mix the eggshells into the soil gently, being careful not to damage the roots.
- Water the soil around your succulents lightly to help the eggshell fertilizer settle into the soil
Eggshells are a good source of calcium, which is essential for succulent growth and health. The calcium in eggshells is slowly released into the soil as the shells break down, providing a natural source of fertilizer for your succulents.
It’s important to note that eggshell fertilizer should be used in moderation, as too much calcium can lead to nutrient imbalances and other issues. Use eggshell fertilizer once every three to four months during the growing season, and avoid using it during the dormant season.
Succulent Fertilizer FAQs
Authentic Haven Brand Organic Succulent Fertilizer is my personal favorite. This fertilizer is easy to use, and whether you’re starting from seeds, planting directly in the ground, or arranging them in pots, I’ve found it consistently produces great results.
You don’t have to fertilize indoor succulents but it will help them thrive. You will only need to fertilize them once a year. Make sure they get enough sunlight or they will start to stretch in search of sunlight.
I recommend waiting at least a month after repotting your succulent before fertilizing it. This allows the roots to settle in their new soil and reduces the risk of harming your succulent.
Overfertilization can cause various issues, such as burnt roots, leaf drop, and stunted growth. Excess fertilizer can also build up in the soil, leading to salt accumulation, which can further damage your succulent
Succulents do not necessarily require special fertilizer, but they do have specific nutritional requirements for them to thrive. When selecting a fertilizer for succulents, it is important to choose one that is specifically formulated for cacti and succulents, as these plants have different nutritional needs than other types of plants.
Make sure you follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging carefully, as over-fertilizing can cause damage to your succulent.
Succulents thrive in harsh conditions, so they don’t necessarily need fertilizer. Looked after well, they will continue to grow as they are.
If you’re happy with your succulent’s current size and growth rate, then you may not need to use a fertilizer. If however, you want your succulent to grow bigger and fuller than usual, then I would recommend using fertilizer.
Wrapping Up
Fertilizing your succulents is an important aspect of their care that can have numerous benefits. Using a good quality fertilizer can enhance their growth, color, and overall health.
The best time to fertilize your succulents is during their active growing season, which typically occurs in the spring and autumn months. When applying fertilizer, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully and avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm your gorgeous succulents.