Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Strawberry Fields gomphrena (Gomphrena haageana 'Strawberry Fields')— schedule & NPK
Also called Strawberry Fields gomphrena, Strawberry Fields globe amaranth, haage globe amaranth.
More about strawberry fields gomphrena
About Strawberry Fields gomphrena
Gomphrena haageana 'Strawberry Fields' · also called Strawberry Fields gomphrena, Strawberry Fields globe amaranth · flowering
A bold, vibrant annual bearing conical, strawberry-red flower-heads on tall, upright 60–75 cm stems. Gomphrena haageana 'Strawberry Fields' is prized for its exceptional heat tolerance, long-lasting colour from summer to frost, and superb vase life both fresh and dried. A standout cut flower and border accent for hot, sunny gardens.
Growth habit: Upright, branching annual; tall cut-flower habit
What fertiliser strawberry fields gomphrena actually wants — and why
Strawberry Fields gomphrena 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 strawberry fields gomphrena: 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 strawberry fields gomphrena, 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 strawberry fields gomphrena:
A single application of balanced fertiliser (10-10-10) at planting is sufficient in average soil. For cut-flower production, a low-nitrogen liquid feed every 3–4 weeks encourages taller, stronger stems. Avoid excessive nitrogen. 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 strawberry fields gomphrena 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 strawberry fields gomphrena
Half strength is the safe default for strawberry fields gomphrena — 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 strawberry fields gomphrena first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the strawberry fields gomphrena watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding strawberry fields gomphrena
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for strawberry fields gomphrena:
- 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 strawberry fields gomphrena
- 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 strawberry fields gomphrena care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of strawberry fields gomphrena 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 strawberry fields gomphrena
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 strawberry fields gomphrena — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does strawberry fields gomphrena 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. Strawberry Fields gomphrena 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 strawberry fields gomphrena?
A single application of balanced fertiliser (10-10-10) at planting is sufficient in average soil. For cut-flower production, a low-nitrogen liquid feed every 3–4 weeks encourages taller, stronger stems. Avoid excessive nitrogen. A single application of balanced fertiliser (10-10-10) at planting is sufficient in average soil. For cut-flower production, a low-nitrogen liquid feed every 3–4 weeks encourages taller, stronger stems. Avoid excessive nitrogen. 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 strawberry fields gomphrena?
Half strength is the safe default for strawberry fields gomphrena — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding strawberry fields gomphrena 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 strawberry fields gomphrena 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 strawberry fields gomphrena?
Flush the pot of strawberry fields gomphrena 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
- Strawberry Fields gomphrena care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water strawberry fields gomphrena — 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 young's weeping birch
- How to fertilise paper birch
- How to fertilise heritage river birch
- All 8452 fertilising guides in the Growli library