If you want to feed your succulents, the best times are in the spring, when the days are above 60 degrees F, and in the fall or winter, right before it rains. Note: Growers fertilize plants more often to promote faster growth.
Succulents are unique plants that store water in their thick, fleshy leaves and stems. This allows them to survive in arid environments with minimal water. Many succulent species originate from deserts and other dry regions where nutrients are scarce in the soil.
While succulents are adapted to get by on little, providing some fertilizer can promote lush, vibrant growth. The key is knowing what type of fertilizer to use, proper dosage and timing. Read on for tips on choosing the ideal fertilizers for potted and in-ground succulents.
How Much Fertilizer Do Succulents Need?
Succulents have adapted to grow in nutrient-poor soils Too much fertilizer can do more harm than good by burning roots and leaves It’s generally best to use a light hand when feeding these plants.
Indoor succulents only need to be fertilized during the active growing season in spring and summer. A diluted liquid fertilizer once a month is sufficient. Slow release fertilizer spikes or granules can be used in early spring and again in midsummer if desired.
Outdoor succulents typically only need one application per year, in early spring before growth begins. Established plants may benefit from a second, lighter feeding in midsummer. Take care not to overfeed.
Signs Your Succulents Need Fertilizer
How can you tell if your succulents need a nutritional boost? Here are a few clues
- Slow growth
- Pale, washed out color
- Smaller than expected leaves and stems
- Lackluster flowers
Conversely, signs of fertilizer burn include brown leaf tips, lesions on leaves and stems, and stunted growth.
If you see these issues, hold off on fertilizing and flush soil with water to prevent further damage.
Organic vs Chemical Fertilizers for Succulents
You can feed succulents with either synthetic chemical fertilizers or organic options like compost and worm castings. Here’s an overview:
Organic fertilizers break down slowly, providing a gentle release of nutrients over time. Options include compost, compost tea, worm castings, manure tea, and organic granular fertilizers.
Chemical fertilizers are fast acting and provide an immediate nutrient boost. But they also have a higher chance of burning plants if overapplied. Look for options specifically formulated for cacti and succulents.
There are pros and cons to both approaches. Organic fertilizers add beneficial microbes while chemical types provide precise nutrient ratios. Using a combination of both is ideal for optimal plant health.
Liquid vs Granular Fertilizer
Fertilizers are also available as either liquids (applied by watering or spraying) or granules worked into the soil. Here’s how they compare:
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Liquid fertilizers act quickly and distribute nutrients evenly. But they can burn roots if overapplied. Use periodic liquid feeds at a low concentration.
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Granular/spike fertilizers provide nutrients over an extended time as they slowly dissolve. Look for a low nitrogen, slow release formula.
For indoor plants, liquid feeds work well since granules can be messy. Outdoors, granular fertilizers are a low maintenance option. Using both liquid and granular feeds together provides the best results.
Best Fertilizers for Healthy Succulents
When shopping for fertilizers, look for formulas designed specifically for cacti and succulents. Avoid types with high nitrogen as too much can spur excessive, weak growth.
Here are some top options:
Liquid Fertilizers
Cactus Juice – Concentrated liquid with a 1-7-7 NPK ratio, made for cacti and succulents. Use at half strength dilution.
Dr. Earth Succulent Elixir – All natural plant food with added calcium, iron and beneficial microbes. Dilute before applying.
Fox Farm Big Bloom – Liquid kelp and bat guano extract. Boosts microbial activity.
Maxsea All Purpose – Balanced 16-16-16 NPK for frequent feeding at low dilution.
Granular Fertilizers
Espoma Cactus Food – Formulated for cacti and succulents with an NPK of 3-7-7. Made with feather meal.
Jobe’s Organic Cactus and Succulent Plant Food – Time release pellets with added iron, magnesium and sulfur. 2-7-7 NPK.
Piton Cactus and Succulent Food – Slow release granules made specifically for desert plants.
Dr. Earth Exotic Blend – Palm, fern and cactus formula with added probiotics and trace elements.
Organic Fertilizers
Worm castings – Rich in nutrients and beneficial to soil. May be used alone or with liquid kelp.
Compost tea – Provides living microbes and trace elements. Make your own or buy ready to use compost tea bags.
Manure tea – Composted, aged manure diluted in water. Use manure suitable for vegetables like rabbit, chicken or cow.
Kelp meal – Dried seaweed that supplies over 60 nutrients and minerals. May be used as mulch or mixed into pots.
Fish emulsion – Made from fish byproducts and provides nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrients. Has strong odor so use well diluted.
Water Soluble Fertilizer Packets
Single use, premeasured packets of water soluble fertilizer offer convenience and prevent overfeeding. Good options for succulents include:
Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed – Formulated for cacti, palms and citrus. Contains 8 essential nutrients.
Jobe’s Houseplant Spikes – Time release spikes made for cacti and succulents. Just insert into the pot.
Schultz Cactus Plus Plant Food – Contains the 10-15-10 NPK ratio recommended for desert plants.
How to Apply Fertilizer to Succulents
Follow these tips to safely fertilize your succulents:
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Always dilute liquid fertilizers to half strength before use. Or dilute according to label if lower.
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Water plants first before fertilizing to prevent root burn from dry soil.
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Apply liquid feeds at the base of the plant. Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves.
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Scratch granular fertilizer into the soil surface around the plant. Don’t let it touch stems or leaves.
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Follow timing guidelines – early spring for established plants, every 4-6 weeks for indoor plants.
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Don’t fertilize dormant outdoor plants in fall and winter to prevent salt buildup.
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Flush soil regularly with plain water to prevent excess fertilizer salts from accumulating.
With the right type of fertilizer used properly, your succulents will reward you with vibrant, lush growth. But go gently – more isn’t always better when it comes to feeding these plants.
Fertilizing Tips by Succulent Type
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Full sun succulents like cacti, agave and aloe require less frequent feeding than shade plants.
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Echeveria and sedum need more fertilizer to encourage flowering and prevent leggy growth.
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Jade plants only need feeding every 2-3 years when pot bound. Watch for fertilizer burn on jades.
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Kalanchoe benefit from monthly liquid feeding at 1/4 strength when actively growing.
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Give split rock and other mesembs diluted liquid fertilizer 2-3 times per year for best results.
When to Fertilize Succulents
Proper timing of fertilizer applications is key. Here is an overview of when to feed succulents:
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Spring – The ideal season for feeding established outdoor succulents. Apply early, before new growth emerges.
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Summer – Outdoor plants can receive a lighter second feeding in midsummer if needed.
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Fall/winter – Do not feed dormant outdoor plants. Withhold fertilizer for indoor plants as well.
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Indoors – Feed monthly spring through summer when actively growing. Stop during fall and winter rest period.
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New plantings – Wait 2-3 months before feeding young plants to prevent fertilizer burn.
By following best practices for fertilizing, you can have gorgeous, healthy succulents inside and out. Just go slowly and listen to what your plants are telling you. With a little care in choosing and applying fertilizers, your succulents will thrive.
What if I don’t feed my succulents?
It doesn’t much matter. They’ll likely grow faster and larger if you do, but that may not be what you want. New, tender growth is more likely to get damaged by wind, sun, and frost, and you may need to trim it earlier than you planned. If you want to keep succulents small and tight, like those in terrariums and wreaths, I don’t think they should be fertilized.
How do I apply fertilizer to my succulents?
Unless it’s been raining, water plants before feeding them to spread fertilizer more evenly.
I mix liquid fertilizer (like fish emulsion) half-and-half with water in a watering can or bucket, then pour the dilute liquid fertilizer onto a pot’s soil until the solution begins to run out the hole in the bottom.
If the plants have grown all the way to the top of the pot, put it on a pie pan or pot saucer and add the solution to the shallow container. It’ll wick up into the soil through the pot’s hole.
In the garden, spread granular fertilizer per package directions and water it in. I wear disposable plastic gloves, reach into the bag, grab a handful, and toss it onto the ground above where roots likely are. Then I spray the area with a hose.
How and When to Fertilize Succulents | And What Fertilizers to Use
FAQ
What fertilizer should I use on succulents?
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