Good soil and the right feeding do more for your plants than most people expect. The wrong soil can suffocate the roots, and too much fertiliser can burn them. This guide explains what to use in your pots, how to mix it and how to feed your plants safely.
Why garden soil is not good for pots
Soil from the garden or the roadside packs down hard in a pot. It holds too much water, leaves little air for the roots and can carry weed seeds and pests. In a pot, plants need a light mix that holds some moisture but drains quickly. That is why potting mix is different from ordinary soil.
What goes into a good potting mix
- Cocopeat (coir): light, holds water well and drains easily. It is also easy to find in Pakistan.
- Compost or vermicompost: adds nutrients and helps the soil hold moisture.
- Perlite or coarse sand: opens up the mix so that extra water drains away fast.
- Garden loam (a small amount): adds body, but should be mixed with the others and not used on its own.
Simple recipes you can try
- General houseplants (money plant, spider plant, peace lily): 2 parts potting mix or cocopeat, 1 part compost, 1 part perlite or coarse sand.
- Succulents and snake plants: half potting mix and half coarse sand or perlite, so the mix dries quickly.
- Herbs such as rosemary and lavender: 2 parts potting mix, 1 part coarse sand and a handful of compost.
- Leafy herbs and flowers such as mint and marigold: potting mix with plenty of compost, kept evenly moist.
Always use a pot with a drainage hole. Even the best soil will fail without drainage. Our guide on how to repot a plant shows you how to put new soil to use.
What the numbers on fertiliser mean
A bag of fertiliser shows three numbers, such as 20-20-20. These stand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
- Nitrogen helps leaves and green growth.
- Phosphorus helps roots and flowers.
- Potassium helps overall strength and health.
For foliage plants, such as the money plant or the rubber fig, a balanced fertiliser is fine. For flowering plants, such as hibiscus and marigold, a fertiliser with a higher middle number helps flowers.
Types of fertiliser
- Liquid fertiliser: mixed with water and easy to control. Good for houseplants.
- Slow-release granules: placed on the soil and feed the plant over weeks.
- Organic options: well-rotted compost, vermicompost and similar. These are gentle and improve the soil at the same time.
How often to feed
Feed during the growing season, which is spring to early autumn for most plants. As a rule, a diluted liquid feed every two to four weeks is plenty. Always read the label, and use half of the dose it suggests if you are not sure.
- Always water the plant a little before you feed it. Fertiliser on dry roots can burn them.
- Do not feed plants that are stressed, sick, newly repotted or resting in winter or in extreme heat.
- Never add more fertiliser because you think it will help faster. It will not.
Signs of too much fertiliser
- A white, salty crust on the soil or the edges of the pot.
- Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges.
- Wilting even though the soil is moist.
If you see these signs, flush the pot. Pour plenty of plain water through the soil, let it drain well and stop feeding for a month or two.
Signs of too little fertiliser
- Slow growth and small new leaves.
- Pale or yellowing older leaves.
Yellow leaves can have many causes, and watering is the most common, so check the soil first. Our watering guide will help.
Final tips
- Fresh potting mix once every one or two years keeps plants healthy.
- Mix a little compost into the soil when you repot.
- Use a stylish outer planter over a plain plastic pot with drainage, so you get both looks and good drainage.
For help with a specific plant, call or WhatsApp us on 03128018787.