In Order To Thrive, These Are The Recommendations For 4 Types Of Fertilizers For Indoor Ornamental Plants

Illustration of a good type of fertilizer for indoor plants (Unsplash/Kaufmann Mercantile)

JAKARTA – Ornamental plants need enough nutrients to thrive and sprout beautiful leaves. Even if placed indoors, fertilizer that contains nutrients is needed for every plant, both leaf ornamental plants and cacti such as succulents.

So what kind of fertilizer is good for indoor ornamental plants? Quoting Savvy Gardening, Wednesday, February 16, in the tropics, it is enough to apply fertilizer for ornamental plants regularly throughout the year. Here are the types of fertilizers that are good for indoor plants and when is the right time to give them.

1. Liquid ornamental plant fertilizer

This liquid fertilizer is most easily soluble and absorbed by plants. This type of fertilizer contains organic materials from plants and animals as well as minerals. Well, what makes it easier to use liquid fertilizer, there is little risk of burning plants.

If you want indoor plants to grow densely, it is recommended to use a liquid fertilizer. They are full of various micronutrients, vitamins, amino acids, mineral elements, and plant hormone enhancers that play a role in the growth and vigor of ornamental plants.

Illustration of types of fertilizers for indoor ornamental plants (iStockphoto)

2. Granular fertilizer

This fertilizer has a pellet-like texture, made from dried worm castings, bone meal, potassium sulfate, limestone, phosphate, and other mineral materials. There is also a granular fertilizer based on synthetic chemicals that are safe for ornamental plants. To find out the granular fertilizer ingredients, you can look at the ingredients list on the back of the packaging. If there is no list of ingredients, it means synthetic fertilizers are included.

3. Fertilizer granular 'spikes'

There are two types of granular fertilizers based on how they are applied to plants. First, sprinkled on the surface of the soil as recommended for use. The second type is shaped like a 'nail' that is plugged into the ground so that it touches the ornamental plants.

4. Slow-release chemical fertilizer

Referred to as synthetic chemical fertilizers, the fourth type of fertilizer for indoor ornamental plants is known as slow release fertilizer. The nutrients in this type of fertilizer are packaged in layers. Well, this layer will dissolve slowly and release nutrients in low doses and in the long term.

By using this type of fertilizer, you don't have to spend time giving regular fertilizers throughout the year. But please note that this fertilizer is made from synthetic chemicals and is less environmentally friendly.