Your spring houseplant feeding guide
As the days get longer and light levels rise, your houseplants will start to show it. New leaves, fresh growth, and in many cases a greater demand on your watering can. Spring is the point at which most houseplants shift from resting to actively growing, and liquid feeding becomes a natural part of the watering routine. Think of it as gently supporting their growth, one watering at a time. Our guide makes it simple.
When should I feed my houseplants?
When spring arrives and daylight hours get longer, most houseplants leave dormancy and begin to actively grow again. This is when feeding to support that new growth is essential. Once you start to see new leaves and fresh shoots appearing, that's a great indicator that it's time to apply a feed. As your houseplants continue to put on new growth, you should continue to feed them until they approach dormancy again in autumn.
What should I feed my houseplants?
Purpose-formulated houseplant feeds are widely available, and in most cases are a reliable starting point, with some plants (like orchids and cacti) requiring a feed that is tailored to them. When looking at liquid feeds, you'll notice most packaging includes something called an NPK ratio. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the three core nutrients plants need most. Nitrogen supports leafy growth, phosphorus helps roots and flowers develop, and potassium supports overall plant health and flowering.
Foliage houseplants generally do well with a feed that prioritises nitrogen to support leafy growth, while flowering houseplants may benefit from higher potassium levels to support blooms. Always dilute according to the product's instructions and err on the side of caution, as overfeeding can be just as damaging to a plant as underfeeding, and the effects are harder to reverse.
How should I feed my houseplants?
Most liquid feed is added to water and delivered in the same way, so all the usual indoor watering rules apply: keep it off the leaves, out of direct sunlight, off the furniture, and as targeted as possible. Crucially, if your compost is dry when you come to feed, water it first and allow it to absorb before applying the feed solution, as applying liquid feed to dry compost can stress or scorch the roots. A curved spout helps here, letting you direct the stream to the potting mix before water starts to flow.
What are the signs my houseplants need feeding?
Unlike plants growing in the ground, houseplants are confined to a fixed volume of potting mix. Over time, their roots use up the available nutrients, and without replenishment, growth begins to suffer. This is why regular feeding through the active growing season matters.
Some signs are subtle. Slow or stunted growth, smaller than usual new leaves, or foliage that looks pale or washed out can all suggest a plant isn't getting the nutrients it needs. You may also notice older leaves dying back, which is a natural process by which the plant redirects nutrients from its oldest growth to its newest. It's worth noting that many of these symptoms can point to other issues too. Too little light, inconsistent watering, or a pot that needs sizing up can all produce similar results, and should be considered before increasing feed.
For most foliage houseplants, once or twice a month from March through to October is a sensible baseline, but always follow the guidance on your chosen product and observe your plants, as recommendations vary by plant type and formulation, and your plant's environment is a key factor too.
Can I feed my houseplants through their leaves?
Some plants can be fed by applying diluted feed directly to the foliage, known as foliar feeding. It works for certain species, but it isn'tsuitable for all houseplants and it doesn't replace feeding at soil level. If you're unsure whether your plant is a good candidate, check the guidance on your feed product, or stick to soil-level feeding as the default.
Spring cleaning
To make the most of the longer days, spring is a good time to give your houseplants' leaves a gentle wipe down with a damp cloth. Dust settles on leaf surfaces over winter and can reduce how much light the plant is able to absorb, and it's a good opportunity to give each plant a little health check while you're there. Work from the base of the leaf outward and support it from underneath as you go, taking care not to apply too much pressure. While you're at it, a clean window makes a bigger difference than you might expect, letting in as much of that early spring light as possible.
Caring for your can
Liquid feed flows like water, but the nutrients, salts and minerals in it can react with the material of your watering can, so it's worth knowing what yours is made from.
Plastic cans are the most forgiving option for use with liquid feed, though good practice is still to rinse after every use and not leave diluted feed sitting in the can, whereas metal cans require a little more care.
Leaving liquid feed to stand in a steel or painted steel watering can accelerates corrosion, so rinsing promptly after every use is key.
Copper and brass cans are more tolerant than steel, but feed splashes will speed up patina formation over time. Rinse the inside thoroughly after use and wipe down the exterior, paying attention to any splash marks.
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