Their characteristic frugality is expressed, among other things, in the fact that succulents require little water and even fewer nutrients. However, the strikingly shaped houseplants cannot do without fertilizer. You can find out here when and how to properly fertilize the exotic desert beauties.
How and when do you properly fertilize succulents?
Succulents require special succulent or cactus fertilizer, which is used every other watering session (1 ml per 1 l of water) from May to September. Fertilization should not take place in winter. Garden succulents are content with starting fertilization in April/May.
Conventional flower fertilizer is counterproductive
The care of succulents is characterized by a water and nutrient balance at a low level. The high-dose NPK concentration of commercial flower fertilizers floods the frugal plants with nutrients. The consequences are fattening, weakened growth and the absence of the longed-for flowers. Therefore, please only use special succulent fertilizer, which is usually available in stores under the name cactus fertilizer.
Fertilize succulents professionally – this is how it works
Your succulent plant beauties don't need additional nutrients all year round. You can only use succulent fertilizer to compensate for the depleted nutrient reserves during the growth and flowering period. During the winter period of dormant growth, stop giving fertilizer. How to do it right:
- Add liquid cactus fertilizer to lime-free irrigation water from May to September
- Add about 1 ml of liquid fertilizer to 1 l of water every second watering pass
- Pour the nutrient solution either directly onto the substrate or over the leaves and shoots
- Water with clear water before and after fertilizing
Unlike other houseplants, succulents have a stable epidermis so that they can absorb fertilizer through their leaves, shoots and roots. As an exception, overhead watering is permitted for cacti and other succulents.
Succulents in the garden are content with starting fertilization
If you cultivate hardy succulents outside in the bed, the plants have permanent access to nutrient reserves thanks to the surrounding soil. With an organic starter fertilizer in April/May you can get growth and flowering going. You can either apply liquid cactus fertilizer or work acidic leaf compost into the soil.
Tip
If the succulent leaves become soft, this dilemma is not due to a lack of nutrients. Rather, succulents with soft plant parts signal that their water supplies are running low because too little has been watered. Especially in summer, please water the plants regularly as soon as the substrate has dried to a depth of around 2 cm.
