How to Fertilize Succulents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Feeding succulents at the right time and with the right fertilizer will enhance the plants' health and vigor. Here are answers to your FAQs.
Fertilize potted succulents when they're emerging from dormancy and beginning their annual growth spurt, which for most is spring.
See my video on how to fertilize succulents.
A light feeding of manure tea, diluted fish emulsion, or a balanced fertilizer will help them grow lush and lovely. For container-grown succulents, I use one Moo Poo tea bag per three gallons of water, steeped overnight.
Yes. Otherwise known as Authentic Haven Brand Soil Conditioner, Premium Manure Tea. (Btw, I'm not getting paid to endorse it.)
In-ground succulents don't really need fertilizer, but applying it does promote lusher growth. If this is what you want, spread Ironite before a winter rainstorm. And then in spring, apply a balanced granular fertilizer (like triple 15).
Water the plants, then apply the dilute liquid fertilizer until it begins to run out the pot. In the garden, spread granular fertilizer and water it in.
The brand doesn't matter, but the ratio of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorous) and K (potassium) should be equal.
Succulents need about half the dose recommended on the package.
Apply a topdressing of compost. I like fish emulsion, too, for both pots and in-ground plants (diluted half strength).
The best time to fertilize your succulents is in spring when daytime temps stay above 60 degrees F. Note: Growers fertilize plants more often to promote lush, green growth.
No biggie, but they'll look and perform better if you do. Btw, I don't recommend you feed succulents that you want to keep small and compact, like those in terrariums and wreaths.
That's what many growers do. A little bit of fertilizer with every watering promotes rapid growth. However, such plants are considered "soft" (a nursery term) rather than "hard," meaning tough. It's a trade-off. I grow my succulents hard to help them better endure the open garden.
Soils vary from region to region and even within a garden. The best way to know what your soil lacks is to have it tested, but it's common sense that succulents growing in, say, oak leaf mulch are getting ample nutrients and don't need fertilizing; those living in pots for years or growing in decomposed granite probably do.
Amendments make a difference, too. None is as widely used by succulent growers and collectors as pumice (crushed lava rock). Here’s why.