Fertilising library
How to fertilise your plants
— a real feed plan for 200 species.
Pick a plant for the exact NPK and feed type it wants, how often and which months to feed, what strength to mix, and how to read over- vs under-feeding. No generic “plant food” advice — a barely-feed cactus page reads nothing like a bloom-boosted orchid or a heavy-feeding monstera, because each plan is built from that plant's real nutrient needs.
Barely feed — cacti, snake plant, ZZ
Desert plants and tough survivors that store their own reserves. A weak feed once or twice a season at most — over-feeding, not starvation, is what kills them.
How to fertilise snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Light feeder. Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 6-8 weeks from spring to early autumn is plenty.
How to fertilise zz plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise cast iron plant
Aspidistra elatior
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 8-12 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise yucca
Yucca elephantipes
Half-strength balanced feed every 8 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise cacti (general care)
Cactaceae
Half-strength cactus or low-nitrogen feed once a month during the growing season.
How to fertilise lithops
Lithops
Almost never; a single quarter-strength cactus feed in autumn before flowering is enough.
How to fertilise lucky bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
A drop of liquid feed in the water vase every couple of months is enough.
Light-feeding succulents
Echeveria, jade, the string-of-things. A gentle low-nitrogen cactus feed a few times in growth keeps them plump without forcing weak, stretched tissue.
How to fertilise jade plant
Crassula ovata
Half-strength cactus fertiliser every 8 weeks during the growing season; not at all in winter.
How to fertilise aloe vera
Aloe barbadensis
Half-strength cactus feed every 8 weeks in spring and summer only.
How to fertilise string of pearls
Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)
Quarter-strength cactus feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season only.
How to fertilise ponytail palm
Beaucarnea recurvata
Half-strength cactus feed every 8-12 weeks during the growing season; not in winter.
How to fertilise echeveria
Echeveria
Quarter-strength cactus feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise sedum
Sedum
Light feeder. Quarter-strength cactus feed once a month for indoor types; garden sedums rarely need feeding.
How to fertilise haworthia
Haworthiopsis attenuata
Quarter-strength cactus feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise string of hearts
Ceropegia woodii
Quarter-strength succulent feed monthly in spring and summer.
How to fertilise string of bananas
Senecio radicans
Quarter-strength succulent feed monthly in spring and summer.
How to fertilise string of dolphins
Senecio peregrinus
Quarter-strength succulent feed monthly in spring and summer.
How to fertilise burro's tail
Sedum morganianum
Quarter-strength succulent feed every 6-8 weeks in spring and summer.
Light-feeding foliage houseplants
Most easy green houseplants — a half-strength balanced feed through the growing months, nothing in the dark winter weeks.
How to fertilise dracaena
Dracaena fragrans / marginata
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 6 weeks during the growing season; sensitive to over-feeding.
How to fertilise peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise prayer plant
Maranta leuconeura
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 4 weeks during the growing season; over-feeding burns the edges.
How to fertilise calathea
Calathea (Goeppertia) spp.
Quarter-strength balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise chinese evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 6 weeks during the growing season; sensitive to over-feeding.
How to fertilise schefflera
Schefflera arboricola
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia seguine
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise areca palm
Dypsis lutescens
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season; sensitive to over-feeding.
How to fertilise english ivy
Hedera helix
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise wandering dude
Tradescantia zebrina
Half-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise boston fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during the growing season; ferns are sensitive to over-feeding.
How to fertilise money tree
Pachira aquatica
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise maidenhair fern
Adiantum raddianum
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season; ferns burn easily.
How to fertilise norfolk island pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Half-strength balanced feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise fittonia
Fittonia albivenis
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise chinese money plant
Pilea peperomioides
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise zinnia
Zinnia elegans
A balanced feed at planting and again at flowering.
How to fertilise peony
Paeonia
A spring top-dress with compost and bone meal; avoid heavy nitrogen feeds.
How to fertilise weeping fig
Ficus benjamina
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise clivia
Clivia miniata
Balanced liquid feed monthly from spring to summer; stop in autumn for the dormancy trigger.
How to fertilise polka dot plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise dragon tree
Dracaena marginata
Quarter-strength balanced liquid feed every 6-8 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise corn plant
Dracaena fragrans
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 6-8 weeks during growth.
How to fertilise sago palm
Cycas revoluta
Slow-release palm fertiliser once in spring.
How to fertilise lady palm
Rhapis excelsa
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in growing season.
How to fertilise kentia palm
Howea forsteriana
Half-strength balanced feed every 6-8 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise majesty palm
Ravenea rivularis
Balanced palm fertiliser monthly in growing season; magnesium supplement prevents yellowing.
How to fertilise fishtail palm
Caryota mitis
Palm-specific fertiliser monthly during growth.
How to fertilise ming aralia
Polyscias fruticosa
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring and summer.
How to fertilise sweetheart plant
Hoya kerrii
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 6 weeks in growing season; pause in winter.
How to fertilise wax plant
Hoya carnosa
Half-strength balanced feed monthly; high-potash feed encourages flowering.
How to fertilise coleus
Coleus scutellarioides
Half-strength balanced feed every 2-3 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise lemon button fern
Nephrolepis cordifolia
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in growing season.
How to fertilise asparagus fern
Asparagus aethiopicus
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in growing season.
How to fertilise button fern
Pellaea rotundifolia
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 6-8 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise kimberly queen fern
Nephrolepis obliterata
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in growing season.
How to fertilise crocodile fern
Microsorum musifolium
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise false shamrock
Oxalis triangularis
Half-strength balanced feed monthly during growth.
How to fertilise pansy
Viola × wittrockiana
Balanced feed at planting; light liquid feed every 3-4 weeks during flowering.
How to fertilise impatiens
Impatiens walleriana
Half-strength balanced feed every 2-3 weeks during flowering.
How to fertilise begonia
Begonia × hortensis
Half-strength balanced feed every 3-4 weeks during flowering.
How to fertilise flowering coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Half-strength balanced feed every 2-3 weeks.
How to fertilise salvia
Salvia splendens
Balanced feed at planting; light liquid feed monthly during flowering.
How to fertilise lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus
Light feed at planting; legume — fixes own nitrogen.
How to fertilise forget-me-not
Myosotis sylvatica
Compost top-dress at planting.
How to fertilise hellebore
Helleborus orientalis
Leaf-mould top-dress in autumn and balanced feed in spring.
Heavy-feeding tropicals
Monstera, philodendron, the big aroids. Genuinely hungry in bright warmth — feed often and weak, not occasionally and strong.
How to fertilise monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks from spring to early autumn; skip in winter.
How to fertilise pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4-6 weeks from spring to early autumn.
How to fertilise fiddle leaf fig
Ficus lyrata
A balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season. Skip in winter.
How to fertilise philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise rubber plant
Ficus elastica
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise alocasia
Alocasia macrorrhiza
Half-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during the growing season only.
How to fertilise croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Half-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise elephant ear
Colocasia esculenta
Balanced feed at half strength every 3-4 weeks during the growing season; heavy feeder.
How to fertilise rex begonia
Begonia rex
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
How to fertilise arrowhead plant
Syngonium podophyllum
Balanced liquid feed at half strength monthly from spring to early autumn.
How to fertilise cordyline
Cordyline fruticosa
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise golden pothos
Epipremnum aureum 'Golden'
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise marble queen pothos
Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'
Half-strength balanced feed every 6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise neon pothos
Epipremnum aureum 'Neon'
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise silver pothos
Scindapsus pictus
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise swiss cheese vine
Monstera adansonii
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise philodendron brasil
Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise heartleaf philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise philodendron micans
Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise tree philodendron
Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
Balanced liquid feed at half strength monthly in growing season.
How to fertilise caladium
Caladium bicolor
Half-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during active growth.
How to fertilise ficus audrey
Ficus benghalensis
Balanced liquid feed at half strength every 4 weeks in growing season.
How to fertilise white bird of paradise
Strelitzia nicolai
Balanced liquid feed monthly in growing season.
Bloom-boosted flowering plants
Orchids, African violet, peace lily, anthurium. Feeding to flower, not to grow leaves — a higher-phosphorus specialist feed, weakly and weekly.
How to fertilise peace lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
Balanced liquid feed at quarter strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season; over-feeding burns leaf tips.
How to fertilise hoya
Hoya carnosa
Half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season; switch to a bloom feed when buds form.
How to fertilise anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Quarter-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during the growing season; switch to a bloom feed in spring.
How to fertilise kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Half-strength cactus or bloom feed monthly during the growing season; switch to a higher-phosphorus feed when buds form.
How to fertilise christmas cactus
Schlumbergera bridgesii
Half-strength balanced feed every 4 weeks during the growing season; switch to a bloom feed in late summer.
How to fertilise african violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Quarter-strength African violet feed with every watering during the growing season, or a half-strength feed every 2 weeks.
How to fertilise orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
Quarter-strength orchid feed weekly while in active growth ("weakly weekly"). Skip during winter rest.
How to fertilise cattleya orchid
Cattleya
"Weakly, weekly" — quarter-strength balanced orchid feed at every watering during active growth.
How to fertilise dendrobium orchid
Dendrobium
Quarter-strength balanced orchid feed weekly during active growth; stop completely during winter rest.
Epiphytes — air plants, staghorn, bromeliads
No normal roots in soil. Nutrients go onto the leaves or into the soak water, very dilute — never poured into a pot or the central cup.
How to fertilise bromeliad
Bromeliaceae (various genera)
Quarter-strength orchid feed misted onto leaves monthly during the growing season; never apply to the central cup.
How to fertilise staghorn fern
Platycerium bifurcatum
Tuck a banana peel behind the shield frond every couple of months, or use a quarter-strength balanced liquid feed in soak water during the growing season.
How to fertilise air plant
Tillandsia
Add a quarter-strength bromeliad or air-plant fertiliser to the soak water once a month during the growing season.
How to fertilise guzmania
Guzmania lingulata
Quarter-strength balanced liquid feed in the cup every 4-6 weeks during growth.
How to fertilise vriesea
Vriesea splendens
Quarter-strength balanced feed in the cup every 4-6 weeks during growth.
Acid-loving plants
Blueberries and blue hydrangeas. The feed barely matters next to using an ericaceous formula and never liming the soil.
Citrus & fruit trees
Lemon, avocado. Hungry evergreens that need a specialist citrus feed with magnesium and iron, switched between summer and winter formulas.
Fruiting vegetables
Tomatoes, peppers, squash, strawberries. Balanced to build the plant, then high-potash the moment flowering starts to fill a heavy crop.
How to fertilise tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Balanced feed at planting; switch to a higher-potassium feed (tomato food) once flowering starts.
How to fertilise pepper
Capsicum annuum
Balanced feed at planting; switch to a higher-potassium feed once flowering begins.
How to fertilise cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Balanced feed at planting; side-dress with compost or a balanced liquid feed every 3 weeks once vines run.
How to fertilise pea
Pisum sativum
Compost at planting is usually enough; no extra nitrogen needed.
How to fertilise squash
Cucurbita pepo
Balanced feed at planting and a side-dress of compost or a balanced liquid feed every 3 weeks.
How to fertilise strawberries
Fragaria × ananassa
A balanced feed in early spring and a high-potash tomato feed every 2 weeks once flowers appear.
How to fertilise raspberries
Rubus idaeus
A balanced feed in early spring and a mulch of well-rotted manure or compost annually.
How to fertilise zucchini / courgette
Cucurbita pepo
A balanced feed at planting; switch to a high-potash tomato feed once flowering starts.
How to fertilise pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering starts.
How to fertilise butternut squash
Cucurbita moschata
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise acorn squash
Cucurbita pepo
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise spaghetti squash
Cucurbita pepo
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise delicata squash
Cucurbita pepo
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise eggplant / aubergine
Solanum melongena
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Balanced feed at planting; light side-dress when pods start.
How to fertilise bell pepper
Capsicum annuum
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise jalapeño
Capsicum annuum
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering. Too much nitrogen reduces heat.
How to fertilise habanero
Capsicum chinense
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise cantaloupe
Cucumis melo
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise honeydew melon
Cucumis melo
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flowering.
How to fertilise asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Compost top-dress in spring; balanced feed after spear harvest ends.
How to fertilise rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Compost top-dress and balanced feed in spring.
How to fertilise fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Compost at planting; light balanced feed mid-season.
Leafy vegetables
Lettuce, kale, the brassicas. Nitrogen is the priority — steady feeding keeps growth fast, tender and unbolted.
How to fertilise lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Compost at planting is usually enough; a half-strength balanced feed every 3 weeks for cut-and-come-again types.
How to fertilise spinach
Spinacia oleracea
A nitrogen-leaning feed every 3-4 weeks while harvesting.
How to fertilise kale
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
A balanced feed at planting; top-dress with nitrogen every 6 weeks during heavy harvesting.
How to fertilise cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
A balanced feed at planting; nitrogen side-dressing once heads start forming.
How to fertilise broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
A balanced feed at planting; nitrogen side-dressing 4 weeks after transplanting.
How to fertilise corn
Zea mays
High-nitrogen feed at side-dressing once 30 cm tall; balanced feed at planting.
How to fertilise swiss chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
Balanced feed at planting; nitrogen side-dress mid-season.
How to fertilise brussels sprouts
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Compost-rich soil at planting; mid-season nitrogen side-dress.
How to fertilise cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Balanced feed at planting; nitrogen side-dress mid-growth.
How to fertilise arugula / rocket
Eruca sativa
Light balanced feed at planting.
Root vegetables
Carrots, beetroot, potatoes. The reverse of leafy crops — go easy on nitrogen, which forks the roots and grows tops instead of a crop.
How to fertilise garlic
Allium sativum
Compost at planting and a balanced feed at the spring growth resume; stop feeding once bulbs start sizing.
How to fertilise carrot
Daucus carota
Low-nitrogen compost-amended soil. Excess nitrogen produces leafy tops and forked roots.
How to fertilise onions
Allium cepa
A balanced feed at planting; side-dress with nitrogen once leaves are growing strongly.
How to fertilise radish
Raphanus sativus
Light feeders; an annual top-dress with compost is plenty.
How to fertilise potato
Solanum tuberosum
A balanced feed at planting; nitrogen feed at earthing-up. Avoid excessive nitrogen — it produces leaf at the expense of tubers.
How to fertilise sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas
Low nitrogen — excess produces leaf at the expense of tubers; high-potash feed at flowering.
How to fertilise beet
Beta vulgaris
Balanced feed at planting; light side-dress mid-season.
How to fertilise turnip
Brassica rapa
Light balanced feed at planting; avoid heavy nitrogen.
How to fertilise parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Light compost top-dress; high nitrogen produces forked roots.
Beans & peas
Legumes fix their own nitrogen. Feeding them nitrogen is wasted at best and suppresses the nodules at worst.
How to fertilise bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
No nitrogen needed; a balanced feed at planting and compost mulch carry the crop.
How to fertilise pole beans
Phaseolus vulgaris
Light balanced feed at planting; avoid high nitrogen.
How to fertilise lima beans
Phaseolus lunatus
Light balanced feed at planting; avoid high nitrogen.
How to fertilise snap peas
Pisum sativum
Light balanced feed at planting; avoid high nitrogen.
How to fertilise snow peas
Pisum sativum
Light balanced feed at planting; avoid high nitrogen.
Heavy-feeding flowers
Roses, petunias, dahlias, geraniums. Big appetites and a high-potash feed through the season is what drives a long, dense display.
How to fertilise bird of paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Balanced feed at half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season; potassium-heavy feed once a year encourages flowering.
How to fertilise rose
Rosa
Specialist rose feed in early spring and again after the first flush. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure.
How to fertilise hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
A high-potash feed every 2 weeks during flowering; halve in winter rest.
How to fertilise geranium (pelargonium)
Pelargonium × hortorum
A high-potash feed every 2 weeks through summer.
How to fertilise petunia
Petunia × hybrida
A high-potash feed weekly through summer; petunias are heavy feeders.
How to fertilise dahlia
Dahlia pinnata
A balanced feed at planting; switch to a low-nitrogen high-potash feed once buds appear.
How to fertilise sunflower
Helianthus annuus
A balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed once flower buds form.
How to fertilise iris
Iris germanica
Low-nitrogen feed (5-10-10) in spring and after flowering.
How to fertilise snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed monthly during flowering.
How to fertilise sweet pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Balanced feed at planting; high-potash feed every 2-3 weeks during flowering.
How to fertilise primrose
Primula vulgaris
Compost top-dress in autumn.
Flowers that want it lean
Lavender, nasturtium, cosmos. Feed them and you get leaves instead of flowers — poor soil is the technique.
How to fertilise lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Almost none; lean soil produces strong scent. A spring top-dress with compost is plenty.
How to fertilise chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
None required in average garden soil.
How to fertilise marigold
Tagetes
A balanced feed at planting; too much nitrogen produces foliage at the expense of flowers.
How to fertilise nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
None needed; rich soil produces leaf at the expense of flowers.
How to fertilise cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
None needed; over-feeding produces leaf at expense of flowers.
Bulbs
Tulips, daffodils, crocuses. They feed for next year, not this one — the critical window is after flowering, leaves still green.
How to fertilise tulip
Tulipa
Bulb fertiliser at planting; bone meal in autumn is traditional.
How to fertilise daffodil
Narcissus
Bulb fertiliser at planting; a light potassium feed after flowering helps next year’s buds.
How to fertilise crocus
Crocus vernus
Bulb fertiliser in autumn at planting; light feed in spring as leaves emerge.
How to fertilise hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Bulb fertiliser at planting; light feed as leaves emerge.
How to fertilise lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
Leaf-mould top-dress in spring.
Restrained-feed herbs
Rosemary, thyme, sage. The aromatic-oil flavour is strongest on poor soil, so feeding actively makes them worse.
How to fertilise rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Very light feeder — a quarter-strength balanced feed once or twice a season is plenty.
How to fertilise thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Almost none required; an annual top-dress with compost is plenty.
How to fertilise oregano
Origanum vulgare
Very light feeder; a top-dress of compost in spring is enough.
How to fertilise sage
Salvia officinalis
A spring top-dress with compost is plenty.
How to fertilise french tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
Compost in spring; minimal additional feeding.
How to fertilise sweet marjoram
Origanum majorana
Light feed at planting; lean soil concentrates flavour.
How to fertilise catnip
Nepeta cataria
None needed in average soil.
How to fertilise summer savory
Satureja hortensis
Light feed at planting; lean soil concentrates flavour.
How to fertilise winter savory
Satureja montana
None needed in average soil; lean conditions intensify flavour.
How to fertilise wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
None needed in average soil.
Leafy culinary herbs
Basil, parsley, mint. Soft, fast and harvested hard — a modest balanced feed keeps tender growth coming without bolting.
How to fertilise basil
Ocimum basilicum
Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season; nothing fancy needed.
How to fertilise herb garden
mixed culinary herbs
Light feeding only — over-fed herbs lose flavour. A half-strength balanced feed every 4-6 weeks during growth.
How to fertilise mint
Mentha
A balanced feed every 6 weeks during the growing season is plenty.
How to fertilise parsley
Petroselinum crispum
A balanced feed every 4 weeks during heavy harvesting.
How to fertilise cilantro / coriander
Coriandrum sativum
A balanced feed at planting and again at 4 weeks; over-feeding reduces flavour.
How to fertilise dill
Anethum graveolens
Light feed at planting; avoid high nitrogen.
How to fertilise chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Compost top-dress in spring.
How to fertilise lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
Light compost in spring.
How to fertilise lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora
Balanced feed monthly in growing season.
How to fertilise lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Balanced feed monthly during growth.
How to fertilise stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
Balanced feed monthly during growth; low nitrogen for sweetest leaves.
How to fertilise bay laurel
Laurus nobilis
Balanced feed monthly in pots during growing season.
How to fertilise fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Light feed at planting; legume so avoid high nitrogen.
How to fertilise anise hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Light compost in spring.
Not sure when to feed?
Open the Growli app, add your plant, and I'll track its feeding season, remind you on the right weeks, and pause automatically over winter rest. Prefer the background first? Read the houseplant fertiliser schedule or get the full care brief at /plant-care.
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