I have been fertilizing pothos and other houseplants for many years; therefore, I will be happy to share with you my inside knowledge and methods.
Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered if your pothos require fertilization or are facing a nutritional deficiency.
In order to ensure quick and strong development, we discuss in this post how, when, and what kind of fertilizer to provide pothos.
Let’s get started now and quit wasting time chatting.
Why Does Pothos Need Fertilizer?
We should first examine the significance of fertilizer feeding pothos before I get into the main issue of today, which is “how to fertilize a pothos.”
Similar to other plants, pothos needs fertilizer to grow healthily, rapidly, and without deficiency, which would restrict its ability to expand vegetatively and detract from its aesthetic appeal.
Fertilizer should be used in pothos for the following reasons:
- Nutrient Supply
- Healthy Growth
- Compensating for Potting Mix Depletion
- Blooming and flowering
- Leaf color and vigor
- Resilience to stress
- Enhanced Photosynthesis
- Improved water uptake
- Increased nutrient storage
- Overall longevity and beauty
- Etc.
If we did not provide the Pothos nutrition, over time the plant would exhaust those contained in the soil and would go into deficiency. Which leads to having:
Yellow or discolored leaves
- Brown spots on the foliage
- Slowing of growth
- Small leaves
The reason pothos fertilization is overlooked is because it is often treated as a shade plant. And it is then placed in a dark corner of our apartment.
In reality, however, pothos is not a shade plant, and if it does not receive adequate light, it will simply survive.
But it loses many of the characteristics that distinguish it. Like the size of the leaves, the variegation, and the lively appearance it should have.
When you move it near a light window, you will see that it will begin to grow again with a pace and beauty that you haven’t seen in quite some time.
If the Pothos is placed in a bright area, it starts to absorb more water and nutrients because light influences its metabolism.
Thus, it’s critical to combine quality fertilizer with the nutrients that are being used.
When Should I Fertilize Pothos?
Fertilize your pothos from spring through mid-autumn, when they are actively forming.
The time is best due to the longer days and higher levels of solar radiation during these months, which accelerate the plant’s growth by increasing its metabolism.
Pothos is a plant that grows continually; therefore, it may do so all year round.
Even in the fall and winter, pothos may still grow leaves and new branches if it is kept in a warm, sunny area.
In this instance, it’s crucial to keep feeding the pothos throughout various seasons of the year.
Fertilize the pothos while it’s growing, which is when the stems get longer and new leaves appear. No matter when, throughout the year.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Pothos?
A liquid, solid, or hydroponic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer is suitable for pothos plants, but make sure the following minerals are available
The Best Fertilizer For Pothos Is a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and potassium (K) concentration in its fertilizer.
When picking the best fertilizer for pothos, ensure that the fertilizer has equal concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P).
The NKP in the fertilizer month should be equal. Let me give you a brief illustration. For example, a fertilizer with 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NKP might be effective.
It is also important to let you know that A high-quality fertilizer for green plants is perfect for pothos.
It doesn’t matter if the fertilizer you use is liquid, slow-release, or solid, but make sure it is rich in nitrogen and potassium.
In addition, the fertilizer must satisfy every need of pothos and all the other macro- and micro-elements required by the plant.
Nitrogen is necessary for many metabolic processes as well as the formation of green tissue
Liquid Fertilizer
When it comes to liquid fertilizer we often choose liquid fertilizer as a great alternative for fertilizing pothos because it is appropriate for indoor plants.
Liquid fertilizer is among the popular types of fertilizer for houseplants, and it comes in a variety of formulas and NPK levels.
As said earlier, the NKP level must be equal to fit our belonging pothos but more gardeners do use a different ratio of NKP.
This ratio provided in this post is based on our personal experience and results from years of garden.
The reason we choose green plant fertilizer is because its high levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are the most appropriate for pothos.
I do not choose green plant fertilizer because it is high in nitrogen and potassium it also has specific amounts of micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus (P).
We fertilize pothos with liquid fertilizer because it usually contains the elements in mineral form.
The element that makes it ready for use and directly assimilable by the plant, unlike the organic (or biological).
One that requires the action of soil microorganisms to mineralize it and make it available to the plant.
Compared to granular fertilizers, they are less concentrated, so much so that for the same volume, more must be used to reach the same level of salinity.
The advantages of liquid fertilizer are:
It is easy to dose and mix.
- It has a low price.
- It is easily found in garden centers or online.
- The plant can directly assimilate it.
The disadvantages are:
It takes up more space than granular (dry) fertilizer.
- It is easily washed away with water and should, therefore, be administered regularly.
Among the many that I have tried over the years, one that I have found very valid is Cifo’s fertilizer for green plants. [Aff pro] Excellent NPK balance and quality/price ratio.
Slow-release Fertilizer
Among the greatest fertilizers for pothos is granule-based fertilizer (or ball-based fertilizer).
A specific porous membrane that covers slow-release fertilizer ensures that nutrients are released gradually.
You won’t be sorry if you use a slow-release fertilizer on pothos.
Thanks to this, it is extremely convenient because it allows you to fertilize only once or twice a year with excellent results.
Fertilizing pothos with a slow-release fertilizer is a great option because it is also marketed in various formulations.
In the case of pothos, the slow-release fertilizer to prefer is one with a high nitrogen and potassium content.
The advantages of slow-release fertilizer are:
Convenience of use
- It is not washed away by water.
- Easy and convenient to store.
The disadvantages, however, are:
- Difficult to find in the store (especially the one for green plants).
- It does not have an immediate effect and is, therefore, less suitable for treating existing deficiencies.
The product I use and recommend is a slow-release osmocote fertilizer. [Aff Pro]
The Best Fertilizer To Fertilize Pothos In Water (Hydroponics)
If you grow Pothos in water, you will already know the importance of using a good fertilizer to fertilize a pothos is necessary.
For more information on how to grow pothos in water, click here to read more.
Fertilize pothos in water because water is poor in dissolved elements, and over time, the plant runs out of them and enters a nutritional deficiency.
The same happens when you leave Pothos cuttings to root too long.
In this case, it is important to use a fertilizer suitable for hydroponics so that the dissolved elements do not come out of the solution and settle on the bottom. Becoming useless to the plant.
Here, too, various products can be used, but personally, the one I prefer to use for pothos in water is a slow-release hydroponic fertilizer. [Aff Pro]
This allows me to avoid changing the water inside the vase and stimulate the ecosystem inside it.
Five Quick Tips On Fertilizing Your Pothos Plants
The tips I provide here will apply to most indoor plants, so even if you don’t know what to apply to pothos, you can use them for other plants like the snake plant.
- Stop looking at fertilizer as food for the plant.
Fertilizer, it’s not food for the plant that comes from photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is where plants take light, carbon dioxide, and water and create sugars and starches; that’s the food for the plant.
Look at fertilizer, which is almost like vitamins for us humans.
Fertilizer actually helps to get better growth, root growth, a better immune system, and better water uptake.
- Only add fertilizer when your plant is feeling weak.
There can be a lot of different reasons why your plant is not feeling well.
Nutrient deficiency is very rarely the case, no matter how many videos you can find on YouTube on nutrient deficiency.
Usually, nutrient deficiency is something else.
- You’ve watered it too much,
- You have root damage.
- It has not enough light; it has too much.
- Light, it’s hot, it’s cold.
Take care of those problems mentioned above first, and when your plant is showing you that it’s feeling well, that it’s growing, or that you have roots coming out of the drainage holes, then you add fertilizer because that’s when it needs fertilizer number.
- Never give more fertilizer than is recommended on the product label.
Most fertilizers are water-soluble, which means that when they come into contact with water, they dissolve, and what they dissolve into is actually salt and that salt as a solution.
The salt is then picked up by the roots and used as nutrients, but if you add too much fertilizer,
It actually means that you’re watering your plants with salt water, and that could
potentially kill your plants.
So, never use more than the recommended dose, and also never use more frequently than the recommended dose.
- the best time to fertilize
We fertilize when the plant is actively growing. Usually, indoor plants have two dormancy periods.
In the winter and in the middle of summer, when it’s hottest, so we fertilize when it’s active, which means in spring or autumn.
- Be careful when using organic.
Organic compost material as a fertilizer for indoor plants it’s too okay.
But it is okay for outdoor plants in nature, where we have a natural breakdown process where you have microbes, insects, bacteria, and fungi that break down that compost material and make it accessible for the plant roots.
However, indoors in a very closed environment. Inside our pots, we do not have that same breakdown process, so if you use organic materials, make sure that those organic materials are processed and ready to use by the roots.
If you enjoy these tips, consider sharing them with friends.
How To Fertilize A Pothos Step-by-step
To administer fertilizer to a pothos plant, we recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but I will tell you how we carry out our own in our garden craft home.
Step one: water your pothos.
Before applying any kind of fertilizer, liquid or solid, it is best to water your plants.
Watering a home plant before applying fertilizer is a good idea since it facilitates the root’s uptake of fertilizer nutrients.
The water also helps to avoid root burns during the fertilization process.
Step two: measure and dilute the fertilizer.
For every fertilizer, there is a specific measurement required for a plant, depending on its size. The measurement could be a quarter spoon or a full spoon.
Some measurements are in drops if there is liquid fertilizer.
If you are using liquid fertilizer, there is a recommended measurement for dilution that is written on the product label.
All in all, follow the manufacturer’s instructions written on the product label so you won’t overfertilize your pothos.
Some gardeners advise you to reduce the measurement written by the manufacturer instead of increasing or using the exact measurement given.
This is a good idea. I also follow this practice. For example, if the manufacturer instructs you to use a full spoon of fertilizer in 2 liters of water, you can make the water two and a half liters.
This practice is because you are a beginner. Still, I will always advise you to monitor your plant after fertilization to know if the plant is doing well with the measurement you give or to take the manufacturer’s measurement.
Step three: start fertilization.
Applying the fertilizer to the base of your pothos plant avoids direct contact with the leaf because direct contact will end up burning the leaf.
How Much Fertilizer Should I Give To Pothos?
The amount of fertilizer to use depends on the concentration of the specific product being used and the type. As well as the speed at which the plant is growing.
For example, if the pothos is placed in the shade, it grows less and therefore needs little fertilizer. Move it to the light of a window, and its needs will increase.
My advice is never to exceed the dosage recommended by the manufacturer; rather, start with half the dose and gradually increase if deficiency symptoms appear.
In fact, overdoing it with fertilizer can create an accumulation of salts that are toxic to the plant.
The salt prevents the correct absorption of water and nutrients and usually causes dry, yellow, or brown spots along the edges of the leaves.
Before I move further, it is time to introduce an article that will show you why pothos is turning yellow and the solution. Click here now to read if you are interested. [Link]
Fortunately, an excess of salts can be corrected by rinsing the Pothos soil with an abundant quantity of water, but the damage to the leaves will remain evident.
If you see brown leaves on your pothos, I will encourage you to click here to read the causes and solutions.
How Often Should You Feed A Pothos?
Avoid fertilizing your photos at your own pace. The reason is that the frequency of fertilizing your pothos depends on various factors, such as:
Type of fertilizer used, the growing conditions, and the specific needs of the plant.
The best time for fertilizing house plants is every 4-6 weeks in the active growing season, ‘the spring and summer.’ But remember that there are no specific numbers of days or dates for fertilization.
Another important aspect to put into consideration is the dormant season, which comes in the fall and winter.
During this dormant season, it is advisable to reduce fertilization or even stop fertilization altogether, but this depends on the location of your plant.
If the plant stays in an area where it receives sunlight during the winter, then consider feeding it half the dosage of what you usually give it during the summer.
The reason is simple. The plant requires fewer nutrients when it’s not actively growing.
However, it’s important to observe the health of your plants and adjust the fertilizing schedule based on their needs.
Sometimes fertilization can lead to brown tips on the leaves of your pothos, so observe your plans if you have overfertilized them.
There are signs that your pothos might need fertilizing, and those signs include:
Include slow growth, pale leaves, or a generally less vigorous appearance.
In summary, to be saved, I recommend you read the product description and follow the guidelines given on the label for better dilution and application.
Some product labels include when to fertilize and how often you should fertilize your plants.
Over-fertilization is dangerous because it causes your plant to avoid direct contact with the leaves during fertilization.
It is important to note that fertilization can be rescheduled if your plant reacts negatively to the fertilizer.
How To Fertilize Pothos FAQ
How often should my pothos be fertilized?
Consider fertilizing your pothos as providing them with extra nourishment. Try to do this every 4-6 weeks throughout the active development season, which is often in the spring and summer.
However, your plant takes a little rest throughout the winter so that you may cut down on fertilizer during this period.
What type of fertilizer should I use for pothos?
Consider your pothos to be your preferred menu. It prefers a balanced diet, so use a fertilizer that dissolves in water and has equal parts potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen (20-20-20).
Additionally, ones designed especially for indoor plants are available.
How should the fertilizer be diluted?
Diluting is similar to fine-tuning your juice by adding a small amount of water. Examine the fertilizer package directions.
In order to prevent overfertilizing your plant, it is advisable to go a little milder on the concentration.
What is the ideal fertilization time for pothos?
Fertilize your plants with a morning watering routine. Fertilizer burn may occur if you fertilize while the soil is dry.
However, avoid doing so when the soil is dry; it will be like eating porridge without milk.
Is it okay to fertilize pothos using slow-release?
Slow-release fertilizers might be compared to ‘time-release’ capsules for your plants’ nourishment.
You can utilize them, of course. To find out how much and how frequently, just read the label.
If my pothos is not growing very well, should I fertilize?
Consider this as providing food to a buddy who seems to be lacking in energy.
A little amount of fertilizer may be all your plant needs if you see evidence of poor growth or signs that it is feeling lethargic.
Can I use organic fertilizers or compost?
Picture your plant having a full, organic dinner. Of course, you may use organic fertilizers or compost.
For your pothos, they function similarly to slow-cooked meals, releasing nutrients more gradually.
What signs indicate over-fertilization?
You may have applied a little too much if you see browning or yellowing at the leaf margins or if your plant appears a little wilted and stunted. If that occurs, water your plant well to remove any excess.
Can I fertilize a newly repotted pothos??
Fertilizer for a few weeks after the repotting. You should give your pothos plant some time to acclimate before giving it a large meal. Offer no
Do I need to fertilize my pothos differently inside and outdoors?
Think of pothos, both indoors and outdoors, as siblings with comparable preferences and somewhat different requirements.
They may adhere to the same broad recommendations, but because of rain and other outside factors, outdoor plants may need a little more regular feeding.
Should I fertilize my new pothos?
Potting soil frequently has fertilizer pre-mixed, so if the soil is new, you won’t have to bother about feeding pothos for around six months.
Following the fertilizing schedule for pothos will replenish depleted nutrients.
How do I know if my pothos need fertilizer?
If I see that it isn’t growing as much as usual or if I observe that its leaves are fading or falling off.
It means that the pothos plant is alerting me to the possibility that it needs more nutrients.
I ask myself this question when you check on your pothos:
Is it producing new leaves and vines like it normally does?
- Do the leaves seem lush and green?
- Do they appear somewhat yellowish?
Any of these symptoms, or a delay in development, may indicate that my pothos needs a little nutritional assistance.
Furthermore, I assume my pothos could be depleting the nutrients in the soil more quickly if I’ve had them in the same pot for a long time, and it’s beginning to look crowded in there.
A small amount of fertilizer can be comparable to a healthy supper for my plant.
Recall that it’s similar to learning what your plant enjoys eating.
Start with a little amount of balanced fertilizer and see how my pothos reacts since I don’t want to go overboard.
I try to keep it safe by following the directions on the fertilizer box, but it’s kind of a trial-and-error process.
Conclusion
How do you know how to fertilize a pothos? It is important to follow the product description because all products have different recommendations for application.
Dilute the fertilizer if needed according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Avoid overfeeding your pothos during the dormant season, which comes in the fall and winter.
Remember to adjust fertilization according to their individual needs. Monitor your plant after fertilization to see its response.
If you are afraid of fertilizing your plant, you can reduce the quantity of fertilizer listed in the manufacturer’s description.
To learn more about pothos plant, click on the following article.
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How Often To Water Pothos and How To Water Pothos Correctly
