The Philodendron is a beloved foliage plant among many enthusiasts and collectors. It has been gaining a lot of attention thanks to its no-fuss care and maintenance, vibrant vines, and easy-going nature. But just like other plants, Philodendrons can still use some help from fertilizers as long as it is done correctly.
If you also own some orchids, chances are you have some leftover orchid fertilizer after you are done watering. Whether it is to save some money, or you are just curious, you might want to know if your orchid and Philodendron can share the same fertilizer.
Can I use orchid fertilizer on Philodendron?
Yes, you can safely apply orchid fertilizer to your Philodendron without causing it any harm. Just remember that many household plants need a lower dose of fertilizer instead of the higher concentration of the solution that orchids often need.
How Much Fertilizer Do Philodendrons Need?
Philodendrons are known to be fast-growing plants that boast versatility and resilience to different conditions. But for your Philodendron to grow fast and healthy, it requires an adequate amount of nutrients to promote growth. Fertilizers can help your Philodendrons get all the nutrients they need.
If you are just getting started with growing Philodendrons, you might be wondering about the right way of fertilizing them and the specific type of fertilizer that best suits your Philodendrons.
The general rule of thumb is that Philodendrons thrive better if you dose them with a high-quality well-balanced fertilizer that has a 20:20:20 NPK ratio. You can fertilize your Philodendrons once monthly throughout the growing season. To prevent overfertilizing, you can also dilute the fertilizer to half the suggested dosage.
The market is now filled with different types and forms of fertilizer, and you can pick the one you think will be suitable for your Philodendrons.
Why is It Important to Fertilize Your Philodendrons?
Philodendrons living in their natural habitats acquire the nutrients they need from the soil naturally. Different deposits like humus and wood make the soil rich in nutrients. But the moment you grow them in pots, the soil will lose most if not all of its nutrients in just a matter of months.
Although water also contains nutrients, these won’t be enough for your plant. Fertilizers can help replenish the nutrients in the soil that can encourage growth.
For your Philodendrons to grow fast and thrive, you need to give them all the nutrients they need for it to happen. If you don’t use a well-balanced fertilizer on your Philodendrons, the plants will suffer from a nutrient deficiency. The most common signs of nutrient deficiency in plants include:
- Leggy growth
- New leaves droop and turn yellow
- Slow growth
- Weak roots
- Brown or yellow edges on leaves
Once you notice any or all of these signs on your Philodendrons, make sure you check if you are using the right fertilizer for your plants. On the other hand, if you are not using any fertilizer at all, it might be time to look for a well-balanced one and use it right away.
Fertilizers can provide the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients that promote growth and ensure that your plant remains healthy and green. A lack of fertilizers will lead to slow growth and weaker plant parts including the leaves, stems, and roots.
What Nutrients are Found in Fertilizers?
Fertilizers contain various types of nutrients. NPK ratio refers to the necessary nutrients that plants require for growth and survival. NPK stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
Nitrogen is essential as it helps in the plant’s development and growth. Phosphorus assists with the development of plant roots, while potassium transfers nutrients to the different plant parts.
Your Philodendrons need fertilizers with a 20:20:20 NPK ratio. It means you should use a fertilizer with 20% each of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
In addition to this, the fertilizer should also contain macronutrients and micronutrients that include the rest of the nutrients needed by plants.
NPK belongs to the category of macronutrients that plants need the most as they help promote growth. Other macronutrients that plants need include calcium, magnesium, and sulphur.
Fertilizers should also have micronutrients although they should be in smaller quantities. These micronutrients include elements such as zinc, iron, and copper.
By understanding the nutrient content of fertilizers, it will be easier for you to choose the right fertilizer to use on your Philodendrons.
How Much Fertilizer Do Philodendrons Need?
It is not recommended to fertilize Philodendrons with high doses of fertilizers since these can pose the risk of burning your plants and reducing their ability to absorb nutrients.
This is why you should use a half-strength dose that can be achieved by diluting the liquid fertilizer. You can also add a handful to the pot if you plan to add compost. See to it that you thoroughly water your Philodendron to ensure that the nutrients spread well all over the soil.
How Often Should You Fertilize Your Philodendron?
Spring is the ideal time to fertilize your Philodendron. It is the season when plants grow at their best, which means they will also need lots of nutrition.
Philodendrons can be fertilized once monthly during the spring months. it depends on the growth of your plants. But you need to cut back on the frequency of fertilizing your Philodendrons when the fall season starts. You should completely stop fertilizing when the winter comes. Since your plant stays dormant during winter, it wouldn’t need any help from fertilizer.
Applying fertilizers during the winter months can also end up burning the plant’s roots.
How Do You Fertilize Philodendrons?
Fertilizing Philodendrons is easy and simple. After choosing the right fertilizer, just follow the steps below:
- Prepare half of the suggested dosage of the suitable fertilizer.
- Add the fertilizer to one gallon of water. Apply this water to your plants.
- You can also add a handful to the soil if you are using compost. Just don’t do it too often. Instead, add the fertilizer just once every two months.
- Make sure you water the plants before and after you fertilize them. The plant can get dehydrated if you add fertilizer to dry soil.
