Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Scarletta Leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Scarletta')— schedule & NPK
Also called Scarletta leucothoe, Scarletta fetterbush, Scarletta dog hobble.
More about scarletta leucothoe
About Scarletta Leucothoe
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Scarletta' · also called Scarletta leucothoe, Scarletta fetterbush · flowering
A compact, award-winning cultivar of drooping leucothoe, 'Scarletta' (syn. 'Zeblid') is celebrated for its brilliantly scarlet new foliage in spring, transitioning to deep, shiny green in summer then rich bronze-purple in winter. Denser and more symmetrical than the species, it suits smaller gardens, containers, and mixed borders in dappled shade and acidic soil.
Growth habit: Dense, compact, arching evergreen shrub; slower-growing and more symmetrical than the species
Watch for — Loss of scarlet colour: Deep shade prevents the intense spring flush of red. Position where new growth receives some morning light. Nutrient-deficient acidic soils can also reduce colour intensity; ensure adequate ericaceous fertiliser.
What fertiliser scarletta leucothoe actually wants — and why
Scarletta Leucothoe is an acid-loving plant — it can only take up nutrients in acidic soil, so the feed itself matters less than using an ericaceous formula and never liming.
An ericaceous (acidic) fertiliser, formulated to keep the soil pH low and supply iron and trace elements in a form acid-loving roots can absorb. Ordinary feeds and any lime lock out iron and yellow the leaves.
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 scarletta leucothoe: 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 scarletta leucothoe, 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 scarletta leucothoe:
Apply ericaceous slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support vigorous, colourful new growth. Supplement with an acidic liquid feed at half-strength in early summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of winter colour. In practice: an ericaceous feed in spring as growth resumes, repeated through the main growing months; never apply lime, bonemeal or wood ash, which raise pH.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when scarletta leucothoe 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 scarletta leucothoe
Follow the ericaceous product's own rate — these are formulated for the plant, so the dilution on the label is right for scarletta leucothoe. The variable that actually matters is pH, not concentration.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water scarletta leucothoe first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the scarletta leucothoe watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding scarletta leucothoe
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for scarletta leucothoe:
- Brown, scorched leaf margins from too strong or too frequent a dose.
- White salt crust on the soil surface.
- Soft, lush growth that fruits or flowers poorly.
Signs you are under-feeding scarletta leucothoe
- Yellowing leaves with green veins (iron chlorosis from high pH).
- Weak growth, poor cropping and an overall pale, stressed look.
- Stunted new shoots in spring despite adequate water and light.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full scarletta leucothoe care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush scarletta leucothoe with rainwater (not hard tap water, which raises pH) if salts build up; better still, mulch with pine needles or composted bark and water with rainwater to hold the acidity.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for scarletta leucothoe
Organic options
Composted pine bark, pine-needle mulch, used coffee grounds and an organic ericaceous feed gently maintain acidity. UK: Vitax or Westland Ericaceous; US: Espoma Holly-tone or Dr. Earth Acid Lovers. Slow, soil-improving, hard to overdo.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A liquid or granular ericaceous feed — UK: Miracle-Gro Ericaceous, Vitax or Westland; US: Miracle-Gro Acid-Loving Plant Food or Espoma Holly-tone. Pair with rainwater and an acidic mulch for it to work.
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 scarletta leucothoe — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does scarletta leucothoe need?
An ericaceous (acidic) fertiliser, formulated to keep the soil pH low and supply iron and trace elements in a form acid-loving roots can absorb. Ordinary feeds and any lime lock out iron and yellow the leaves. Scarletta Leucothoe is an acid-loving plant — it can only take up nutrients in acidic soil, so the feed itself matters less than using an ericaceous formula and never liming.
How often should I feed scarletta leucothoe?
Apply ericaceous slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support vigorous, colourful new growth. Supplement with an acidic liquid feed at half-strength in early summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of winter colour. Apply ericaceous slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support vigorous, colourful new growth. Supplement with an acidic liquid feed at half-strength in early summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of winter colour. In practice: an ericaceous feed in spring as growth resumes, repeated through the main growing months; never apply lime, bonemeal or wood ash, which raise pH.
What strength of feed for scarletta leucothoe?
Follow the ericaceous product's own rate — these are formulated for the plant, so the dilution on the label is right for scarletta leucothoe. The variable that actually matters is pH, not concentration.
What does over-feeding scarletta leucothoe look like?
Brown, scorched leaf margins from too strong or too frequent a dose. White salt crust on the soil surface. Soft, lush growth that fruits or flowers poorly. Feeding scarletta leucothoe an ordinary fertiliser, or growing it in hard tap water / limey soil, is the defining mistake — it triggers lime-induced chlorosis (yellow leaves, green veins) no amount of feeding fixes until the pH comes down.
Should I flush the soil of scarletta leucothoe?
Flush scarletta leucothoe with rainwater (not hard tap water, which raises pH) if salts build up; better still, mulch with pine needles or composted bark and water with rainwater to hold the acidity.
Keep reading
- Scarletta Leucothoe care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water scarletta leucothoe — 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 streptocarpus caulescens
- How to fertilise sinningia concinna
- How to fertilise sinningia tubiflora
- All 8452 fertilising guides in the Growli library