Cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior) are popular, low-maintenance houseplants with gorgeous, glossy leaves. Although cast iron plants are easy to grow, fertilizing them regularly helps them produce lots of those lovely leaves. In this article, I’ll look at when and how to fertilize cast iron plants for optimal growth each season.
- When and How to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants – The Essentials
- The Best Type of Fertilizer for Cast Iron Plants
- How to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants
- Signs That Your Cast Iron Plant Needs Feeding
- When to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants
- Key Considerations When Fertilizing Cast Iron Plants
- The Role of Fertilizers in Plant Health and Growth
- When and How to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants FAQs:
When and How to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants – The Essentials
Fertilize cast iron plants once a month during spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing cast iron plants during their winter dormancy. Lightly moisten the soil before applying fertilizer. Use liquid fertilizers with balanced NPK ratios. Always dilute liquid fertilizers according to the instructions on the packet.
The Best Type of Fertilizer for Cast Iron Plants
Organic and synthetic fertilizers are both suitable for cast iron plants. However, try and use organic fertilizers whenever possible to promote good soil health. The chemicals and salts from synthetic fertilizers can build up in the soil, potentially causing health problems for your plant.
Cast iron plants prefer all-purpose fertilizers that have a balanced NPK ratio. You can also use fertilizers that have a slightly higher nitrogen content. These fertilizers help your cast iron plant produce lots of those gorgeous, glossy leaves.
Cast iron plants rarely bloom indoors, so high phosphorus fertilizers won’t provide many benefits. Fertilizers that offer a decent amount of potassium are suitable for cast iron plants as potassium improves circulation.
Liquid fertilizers work best for cast iron plants because these fertilizers are easy to apply each month. Slow-release fertilizer granules can work, but you’ll only need to use them once a year. If you want to use granules, apply the recommended dose to the soil during the spring.
I’ve had good results with Jack’s All-Purpose Fertilizer (via Bloomscape).
How to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants
Start fertilizing your cast iron plant during the spring as the growing season gets underway. Feed your plant once a week with a dose of balanced liquid fertilizer. Cease fertilizing before winter arrives so that your plant can go dormant.
Before applying any fertilizer, lightly moisten the soil with some room-temperature water that’s been filtered. Then apply a dose of your chosen fertilizer. Always dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the packet before applying it to the soil.
Signs That Your Cast Iron Plant Needs Feeding
Dull or Fading Leaves
If the leaves of your cast iron plant are dull, fading, or drooping, your plant may need more nutrients. Adding a dose of fertilizer helps your plant keep its leaves healthy and strong.
Stunted or Weak Growth
Cast iron plants will struggle to produce robust and healthy growth if they don’t get enough nutrients. Weaker plants will often have leaves that are smaller than expected.
When to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants
Cast iron plants should be fertilized during spring and summer. This is the active growing season for these popular houseplants. Cast iron plants go dormant during the winter, so you should stop fertilizing them during the colder months.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cast Iron Plant?
Fertilize your cast iron plant approximately once a month during spring and summer. Cast iron plants are slow-growing, meaning they don’t need vast amounts of nutrients. However, fertilizing them once a month helps them produce healthy, beautiful leaves.
Key Considerations When Fertilizing Cast Iron Plants
Although cast iron plants do benefit from fertilizer, applying too much can cause issues. Fertilizers are very intense products that contain chemicals and salts. If fertilizer is applied too frequently, these chemicals can burn your cast iron plant.
The main symptom of over-fertilizing is browning on the leaves, especially at the tips. Other symptoms include curling leaves and patches of salt in the soil. Heavy buildups of chemicals and salts can negatively impact soil health.
Fertilizers should be used in conjunction with the right type of soil. Cast iron plants like loose, well-draining soils that provide plenty of initial nutrients. A mix of coco coir or houseplant potting mix and coarse sand or perlite is ideal.
For more, see our in-depth guide on where to position cast iron plants for optimal care and feng shui benefits.
The Role of Fertilizers in Plant Health and Growth
Over time, plants naturally deplete the nutrients in the surrounding soil. In the wild, these nutrients are replaced by leaf matter and other decomposing material. However, when growing houseplants, fertilizers fulfill this role.
Most houseplants require plenty of nutrients to produce strong, healthy growth. These important nutrients are divided into four main types: structural macronutrients, primary macronutrients, secondary macronutrients, and micronutrients.
The three structural macronutrients are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). During photosynthesis, these nutrients are absorbed from air and water and used to produce glucose. This necessary sugar is then used as fuel to manufacture cellulose, which is the basis of new plant tissue.
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the three primary macronutrients. Plants obtain these nutrients when they absorb water from the surrounding soil. Over time, fertilizer replenishes the exhausted nutrients in the soil.
Nitrogen is essential for producing lots of bushy, strong foliage, while phosphorus is used in flower production. Potassium helps plants circulate water and nutrients more efficiently.
Types of Fertilizer
Fertilizers are divided into two main types: organic fertilizers and synthetic fertilizers. Both fertilizers can be sold as liquid fertilizers or slow-release granules. Liquid fertilizers need to be heavily diluted before use.
Organic fertilizers must be broken down by soil organisms before plants can access the new nutrients. Synthetic fertilizers bypass this, allowing plants to access nutrients quickly. However, synthetic fertilizers may kill beneficial soil organisms due to the powerful chemicals used to produce these products.
All fertilizers come with an NPK ratio. This identifies how much of each primary macronutrient a single dose of fertilizer contains. This is helpful because it allows you to tailor each dose to individual plants and their specific needs.
Fertilizing Cast Iron Plants FAQs:
Should I Fertilize a Cast Iron Plant?
Cast iron plants are slow-growing plants that can benefit from fertilizer. Feed cast iron plants once a month during the spring and summer. Stop feeding them just before winter arrives to allow them to go dormant.
How Do You Fertilize Cast Iron Plants?
Feed your cast iron plant once a month with liquid fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the packet before applying it to the soil. Always moisten the soil lightly first before applying the fertilizer.
What Fertilizer is Best for Cast Iron Plants?
Organic liquid fertilizers are the best types of fertilizers for cast iron plants. Keep in mind that liquid fertilizers must be diluted before being applied. Slow-release fertilizer granules also work well but only need to be applied once a year.
How Do I Get My Cast Iron Plant to Grow More Leaves?
The easiest way to get your cast iron plant to grow more leaves is to feed it. Fertilizing your cast iron plant once a month provides plenty of nutrients to help it produce more leaves. Removing any weak, yellowing, or drooping leaves also helps your plant concentrate on producing new leaves.
Do Cast Iron Plants Bloom?
Cast iron plants seldom bloom when grown indoors. However, cast iron plants may bloom when grown outside. The flowers only last for one day and require warm temperatures, partial shade, and well-draining soils.
How to Fertilize Cast Iron Plants – Wrapping Up
Although cast iron plants are low-maintenance, they can still benefit from fertilizer. Feed cast iron plants monthly during spring and summer using diluted liquid fertilizers. Choose fertilizers with a balanced NPK ratio to help your cast iron plant produce lots of healthy green leaves.
For more, see our in-depth guide to whether cast iron plants are toxic to pets, how to deal with common cast iron plant pests, how to repot cast iron plants, ideal light requirements for cast iron plants, and the amazing uses and benefits of cast iron plants.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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