Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Pau's Germander (Teucrium carolipaui)— schedule & NPK
Also called Pau's Germander, Bitter Germander.
More about pau's germander
About Pau's Germander
Teucrium carolipaui · also called Pau's Germander, Bitter Germander · flowering
Teucrium carolipaui is a small, aromatic subshrub endemic to southeastern Spain (Murcia and Alicante provinces), where it grows in the driest scrubland, rocky ravines, and stony steppes on calcareous, gypseous, or marl-saline soils. It is closely allied to other compact Iberian germanders and produces the typical two-lipped flowers of the genus in summer. Excellent drainage and full sun are the key requirements; it is well adapted to poor, alkaline substrates and summer drought. The plant is mildly toxic if ingested, consistent with the hepatotoxic diterpene chemistry documented across the Teucrium genus.
Growth habit: Compact, bushy, semi-evergreen to evergreen subshrub with aromatic foliage.
What fertiliser pau's germander actually wants — and why
Pau's Germander 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 pau's germander: 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 pau's germander, 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 pau's germander:
No regular feeding required; this species is adapted to lean, nutrient-poor soils and excess nitrogen produces weak, untypical growth. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season 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 pau's germander 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 pau's germander
Half strength is the safe default for pau's germander — 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 pau's germander first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the pau's germander watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding pau's germander
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for pau's germander:
- 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 pau's germander
- 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 pau's germander care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of pau's germander 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 pau's germander
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 pau's germander — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does pau's germander 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. Pau's Germander 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 pau's germander?
No regular feeding required; this species is adapted to lean, nutrient-poor soils and excess nitrogen produces weak, untypical growth. No regular feeding required; this species is adapted to lean, nutrient-poor soils and excess nitrogen produces weak, untypical growth. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season 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 pau's germander?
Half strength is the safe default for pau's germander — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding pau's germander 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 pau's germander 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 pau's germander?
Flush the pot of pau's germander 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
- Pau's Germander care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water pau's germander — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
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- All 10153 fertilising guides in the Growli library