GUIDE
Feeding & NPK basics
4 steps
How to do it
- 1The three numbers on a fertiliser pack are Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (N-P-K) — nitrogen drives leafy growth, phosphorus supports roots, potassium supports flowers and fruit.
- 2A high-nitrogen feed suits leafy plants (lawns, foliage houseplants); a high-potassium feed suits flowering and fruiting plants.
- 3Feed during active growth only — most plants don't need feeding during winter dormancy.
- 4Always water first if compost is dry, since feeding dry compost can scorch roots.
COMMON MISTAKE
Feeding a plant that isn't actively growing, which wastes the feed and can even damage roots rather than helping.
Plants that use it
Their calendar has a job that points to this guide.
African violetMarchAlocasiaMarchAlpine hebeMarchBearded irisMarchBegoniaMarchBorder phloxMarchBoxMarchCalifornian lilacMarchChinese evergreenMarchChristmas cactusMarchClematisMarchColumbineMarchDumb caneMarchFirethornMarchGarlicMarchHoneysuckleMarchHouseleekMarchHoyaMarchJasmineMarchKumquatMarchLilyMarchMexican orange blossomMarchMock orangeMarchPeonyMarchPeperomiaMarchPhilodendronMarchPhotiniaMarchRhubarbMarchRoseMarchScheffleraMarchSkimmiaMarchViburnumMarchWeigelaMarchWisteriaMarchAeoniumAprilAloeAprilArum lilyAprilBird of paradiseAprilBoston fernAprilBridal wreathAprilButterfly bushAprilCherry laurelAprilChinese money plantAprilDogwoodAprilDracaenaAprilEcheveriaAprilElephant bushAprilFiddle-leaf figAprilFlamingo flowerAprilGardeniaAprilHardy geraniumAprilHaworthiaAprilHollyAprilHydrangeaAprilInch plantAprilIvyAprilJade plantAprilMiscanthusAprilMoth orchidAprilOrnamental salviaAprilPeace lilyAprilPeruvian lilyAprilPothosAprilPrayer plantAprilRhododendronAprilRubber plantAprilSedgeAprilSnake plantAprilSpider plantAprilString of pearlsAprilSweetgumAprilSwiss cheese plantAprilWeeping figAprilYewAprilZZ plantAprilAmaryllisMayDelphiniumMayFuchsiaMayGhost plantMayLewisiaMayAfrican lilyJuneDendrobiumJuneFlowering mapleJuneForsythiaJuneHeathJuneHeatherJuneMillion bellsJuneMoney treeJunePeruvian old man cactusJunePetuniaJuneChilli pepperJulyDahliaJulyTomatoJulyVerbena bonariensisJulyBusy lizzieAugustChrysanthemumAugustCucumberAugust
RELATED GUIDES
Repotting houseplantsPruning shrubs (general principles)Watering wellWatering plants in pots