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Fertilising guide

How to fertilise Temple Bells (Smithiantha cinnabarina)— schedule & NPK

Also called Temple Bells, Cinnabarina Temple Bells.

More about temple bells

About Temple Bells

Smithiantha cinnabarina · also called Temple Bells, Cinnabarina Temple Bells · houseplant

A rhizomatous gesneriad from Mexican cloud forests bearing scarlet, tubular bell flowers on velvety stems from late summer into autumn. It enters a dry winter dormancy, dying back to scaly rhizomes, then resurges in spring. Grow it in bright, filtered light with high humidity and a peat-perlite mix — treat it like a warm, moisture-loving African violet.

Growth habit: Upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial growing from scaly rhizomes; stems are densely covered in soft, red-tinged hairs.

What fertiliser temple bells actually wants — and why

Temple Bells 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 temple bells: 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 temple bells, 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 temple bells:

Apply a high-potassium liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks from the first signs of new growth in spring through to the end of flowering in autumn. Cease completely during winter dormancy. 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 temple bells 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 temple bells

Half strength is the safe default for temple bells — 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 temple bells first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the temple bells watering schedule.

Signs you are over-feeding temple bells

Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for temple bells:

Signs you are under-feeding temple bells

If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full temple bells care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.

Flushing and leaching the salts

Flush the pot of temple bells 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 temple bells

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 temple bells — frequently asked questions

What fertiliser does temple bells 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. Temple Bells 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 temple bells?

Apply a high-potassium liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks from the first signs of new growth in spring through to the end of flowering in autumn. Cease completely during winter dormancy. Apply a high-potassium liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks from the first signs of new growth in spring through to the end of flowering in autumn. Cease completely during winter dormancy. 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 temple bells?

Half strength is the safe default for temple bells — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.

What does over-feeding temple bells 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 temple bells 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 temple bells?

Flush the pot of temple bells 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.

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