Plants in pots run out of food. But "feed them" gets overdone — more fertilizer burns roots faster than it helps. Here's a calm schedule that works.
Less is more
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) at half the label strength. Most houseplants want food only during active growth: spring and summer. Stop in autumn and winter when growth slows.
A simple rhythm
Spring start
Begin feeding when you see new growth, about monthly.
Summer
Every 3–4 weeks at half strength. Flush the soil with plain water monthly to avoid salt build-up.
Autumn & winter
Stop. Dormant plants don't eat.
Yellow leaves between green veins?
That's often a nutrient shortage (usually nitrogen or magnesium), not water. A half-strength feed usually fixes it within a month — but rule out overwatering first.Can I use coffee or banana water?
Homemade "teas" are unpredictable and can sour the soil. A proper balanced fertilizer is safer and cheaper in the long run.
How do I know if I over-fertilized?
Crisp brown leaf edges and a white crust on the soil. Flush thoroughly with plain water and skip feeding for a month.
Reading the label
Fertilizer numbers (like 10-10-10) are N-P-K: nitrogen for leaves, phosphorus for roots/flowers, potassium for overall health. A balanced liquid at half strength covers almost everything. "Slow-release" spikes or granules feed gently over months — convenient, but you still shouldn't use them in winter.
A feeding myth
"More fertilizer = faster growth" is false and harmful. Excess salts build up, burn roots, and show as brown leaf edges and a white crust on the soil. If that happens, flush the pot thoroughly with plain water and skip feeding for a month. When a plant looks off, rule out water and light before reaching for fertilizer — hunger is rarer than we assume.
One more: yellow leaves between green veins usually signal a nutrient gap (often magnesium or nitrogen), while yellow leaves on wet soil signal overwatering. The pattern tells you which.