Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Carnation of India (Ervatamia coronaria)— schedule & NPK
Also called Carnation of India, Crepe Jasmine, Pinwheel Flower, East India Rosebay.
More about carnation of india
About Carnation of India
Ervatamia coronaria · also called Carnation of India, Crepe Jasmine · tropical
Ervatamia coronaria (syn. Tabernaemontana coronaria, T. divaricata) is a fragrant tropical shrub from South and Southeast Asia bearing waxy, pinwheel-shaped white flowers with a sweet jasmine-like scent. A staple of tropical gardens and temple offerings, it blooms almost continuously in warm climates. In temperate regions it excels as a conservatory specimen. All parts are toxic.
Growth habit: Upright, rounded, branching evergreen shrub
Watch for — Failure to flower: Insufficient light is the most common reason. Ensure at least 4-5 hours of bright light daily. Also review nitrogen fertiliser use — excessive nitrogen encourages lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Switching to a phosphorus/potassium-rich formula in summer promotes blooming.
What fertiliser carnation of india actually wants — and why
Carnation of India is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for carnation of india: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed carnation of india, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For carnation of india:
Feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength. In midsummer, supplement with a high-potash feed to encourage continued blooming. Withhold fertiliser from October to February. Treat that as every 2-3 weeks between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when carnation of india is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for carnation of india
Half strength is the safe default for carnation of india — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water carnation of india first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the carnation of india watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding carnation of india
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for carnation of india:
- Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering.
- A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim.
- Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops.
- Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered.
Signs you are under-feeding carnation of india
- Uniformly pale or yellow-green leaves, oldest first.
- Noticeably small new leaves and stalled growth in good light and season.
- A generally tired, lacklustre look despite correct watering and light.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full carnation of india care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of carnation of india with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for carnation of india
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or worm-casting feed, or fish emulsion if you can tolerate the smell indoors. UK: Westland or Baby Bio Organic, dilute seaweed; US: Espoma Indoor! or Neptune's Harvest fish & seaweed. Slow, gentle and hard to overdo.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A general-purpose houseplant liquid at half strength — UK: Baby Bio, Westland Houseplant Feed or Phostrogen; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Schultz. Convenient and fast-acting; the only risk is overdoing it.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising carnation of india — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does carnation of india need?
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula. Carnation of India is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
How often should I feed carnation of india?
Feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength. In midsummer, supplement with a high-potash feed to encourage continued blooming. Withhold fertiliser from October to February. Feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength. In midsummer, supplement with a high-potash feed to encourage continued blooming. Withhold fertiliser from October to February. Treat that as every 2-3 weeks between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
What strength of feed for carnation of india?
Half strength is the safe default for carnation of india — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding carnation of india look like?
Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering. A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim. Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops. Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered. Feeding carnation of india year-round on a fixed schedule, including dark winter months, is the most common mistake — it cannot use the nutrients in low light and the surplus simply burns the roots and crusts the soil.
Should I flush the soil of carnation of india?
Flush the pot of carnation of india with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Keep reading
- Carnation of India care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water carnation of india — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise laelia rubescens
- How to fertilise sophronitis coccinea
- How to fertilise bulbophyllum elizabeth ann
- All 6887 fertilising guides in the Growli library