How do we choose the best fertilizer for our plant? 

What are the numbers on the label of my fertilizer

When we get a plant, we want it to grow as healthy as possible. We get the best soil, a pot with water drainage and we place it where it can get a good daily amount of natural light. Then we go to the store looking for a fertilizer. That’s where the big challenge starts. How do we choose the best fertilizer for our plant? 

Once at the store, the first thing we notice is that most fertilizers show a series of numbers on the label 10-10-10. These three numbers correspond to a specific type of nutrient. The first one is Nitrogen (N), the second is Phosphorus (P), and the third one is Potassium (K) = (N-P-K). A fertilizer that contains 5-10-10 has 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus (phosphate), and 10 percent potassium (potash). 

Depending on the plant variety, and what you are trying to achieve with the fertilizer, the numbers will vary. For example, if you want the plant to produce greener and larger leaves or better roots, your fertilizer will be high in Nitrogen. But if you want it to bloom, produce fruit, and develop stronger roots it will be higher in Phosphorus. For stronger stems and faster general growth, then Potassium will be the nutrient of choice. 

Luckily, most of our indoor houseplants are tropical, and these can benefit from any commercial well-balanced formula like 10-10-10. That number means that it is an evenly balanced fertilizer. A well-balanced fertilizer is an easy solution as it works for most plants, even if they are not tropical. So, when in doubt, just use a 10-10-10 formula during spring and early summer. Always follow the instructions on the label carefully.