Not all plants are like the Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors. Instead of feeding hydrangeas and rose bushes blood and people, the average gardener needs to give their beloved plants the proper nutrients. The right combination can improve health, growth, color, and the number of blooms that appear.
In most plants, the key nutrients are potassium (K), phosphorous (P), and nitrogen (N). All plant foods contain these nutrients, while some include even more.
So what is the Best Plant Food? And are there specific plant foods for certain types of plants? Let’s find out!
Best Plant Food
Out of all of the plant foods currently on the market, one of the best is Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food. This food comes in granules with a porous resin that allows food to seep out slowly. It contains eleven essential nutrients, comes in large containers, and is affordable for even gardeners on the strictest budgets.
For this last reason, Osmocote Plus Smart-Release Plant Food doubles as a budget pick. Where else can gardeners purchase an effective plant food in an 8 lb bag for a low price?
- Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Indoor &...
- This plant food feeds plants for up to 6 months...
- For indoor and outdoor plants, this all-purpose...
- To apply to outdoor container and in-ground...
- One 8 lb. container of Osmocote Smart-Release...
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For more information on the Osmocote Plus Plant Food, see the Product Reviews section below.Runner-Up: Best Plant Food
In second place in this review is Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus. This plant food works on most varieties of garden inhabitants, including fruits and perennials. It’s easy to apply, comes in a reasonably sized container, and is inexpensive. This particular container also comes with a dropper, which is convenient since most plant foods do not.
The main reason the Schultz All Purpose Plus is not in first place is that it lacks some of the nutrients of Osmocote. It also does not come in as many size formats.
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For further details on Schultz’ All Purpose Plant Food Plus, check out the Product Reviews section below.
Plant Food Buyer’s Tips
NPK Ratio
One of the most important aspects of any plant food is the NPK Ratio. This is the ratio of Nitrogen to Potassium to Phosphorus. Depending on the type of soil and type of plant, you may want to target a specific type of fertilizer.
Of course, many fertilizers are “all purpose” and use an NPK Ratio that will hopefully be helpful to virtually all plants. But other fertilizers have more specialized NPK Ratios. These won’t work so well on some plants, while they will work miracles on other plants.
Soil Testing
Before you start fertilizing your plants, you may want to consider performing a soil test with a soil test kit. This will tell you if there are any significant deficiencies or ratios that are off-kilter in your existing soil. Then you can pick a fertilizer that will work with your existing ratio, and improve it to your target.
Fertilizer Format
Some of the fertilizers on our list come in liquid format, while others come in solid granule format. Most find liquid fertilizer easier to dilute with water. Sometimes the granules don’t dissolve completely. You end up with a less-than-optimal mixture of water and granules, and sometimes the fertilizer gets applied unevenly.
Quantity Pricing
Keep in mind that purchasing your plant food in bulk will make it significantly cheaper per ounce. If you think you’ll be going through a lot of it, it’s a good idea to purchase larger quantities.
Organic vs. GMO Fertilizers
Some people only want to use organic fertilizers on any crop. Others don’t care at all, and are fine with GMO on everything. And many will be ok with GMO on flowers, shrubs, and other inedible plants while sticking to organic for anything edible.
You’ll have to choose where you want to draw the line, but you should at least consider this factor when deciding on a fertilizer.
The good news is that while organic fertilizers used to be much more expensive than GMO fertilizers, that is no longer the case.
Plant Food Reviews
In this section, we’ll look at five great options for plant foods, both for indoor and outdoor plants. We’ll start with a comparison table to get oriented, and then dig into the details of each type of plant food. We’ll conclude with our favorites.
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Overall: Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food
Key Points at a Glance
- Works on Indoor and Outdoor Plants
- Includes 11 Essential Nutrients
- No Burn Pledge
- Works on Flowers, Trees, and Other Plants
- Contains N, P, and K (15-9-12)
- Resin-Coated Granules
Dimensions and Specs
- Comes in 1, 2, and 8 lb. Bags
- Average Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 7 x 13.5 in.
- Use 1 Scoop per 4 Sq. Ft.
- A Single Scoop Equals 3 Tablespoons
The Details
The Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food is different from more traditional plant foods because it comes as granules rather than a liquid. This formula can be applied using the scoop that accompanies the product. Each scoop is equal to three tablespoons, and one scoop is enough to feed four square feet of plants.
These granules possess the nutrients on the inside. The outsides are coated with a resin that reacts with water and slowly releases the food. The resin remains even when the food is gone, and gardeners can scoop them out if they want. The resin does not harm plants.
The Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food works on indoor and outdoor plants and is effective with flowers, trees, and most other plants. It’s a great all-purpose fertilizer.
The general fertilizer analysis is 15-9-12 for the three big nutrients, and then there are eight others. Each package comes with a no-burn pledge, meaning the formula won’t harm plants.
You’ll typically want to apply this fertilizer about every six months, as needed.
The product can be purchased in 1, 2, and 8 lb. bags. As usual, the larger the bag, the cheaper the price per ounce.
The Bottom Line
The Osmocote Plus Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food is the best and most dependable plant food on this list. It contains the basic three nutrients as well as eight others to help support your soil. It comes in an easy to measure granule formula, and has a no-burn guarantee so amateur gardeners don’t need to worry about harming their plants.
This food works on most plants and comes in a large package for a low price, so it’s also economical. For all of these reasons, it edges past the competition and earns the trophy for being one of the best plant foods for all plants.
- Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Indoor & Outdoor is fortified...
- This plant food feeds plants for up to 6 months with all-in-one...
- For indoor and outdoor plants, this all-purpose plant food works with...
- To apply to outdoor container and in-ground plants, sprinkle 1...
- One 8 lb. container of Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Indoor &...
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Plant Food For Roses: Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus
Key Points at a Glance
- For Indoor and Outdoor Plants
- Comes with a Dropper
- Contains N, P, K (10-15-10)
- Water Soluble
- Works on Shrubs, Vegetables, Perennials, and Others
Dimensions and Specs
- Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 4.6 x 9.9 in.
- Contains 32 fl. Oz.
- For Use Every 7 Days
- Mix Half a Cap with 2 Gallons
The Details
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus is a liquid plant food that works well for indoor and outdoor plants. Users should mix half a cap of the food with two gallons of water for maximum efficiency. Using too much can burn plants, so start slowly.
The mixture is, therefore, water soluble and has been found to work well on a variety of plants including shrubs, vegetables, perennials, and other common garden growths. This fertilizer is good on vegetables, but if you’re looking to grow tomatoes, it isn’t an ideal choice. Instead, pick a good fertilizer for tomatoes.
The nutrient mixture is 10-15-10 and this fertilizer can be used every seven days.
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus plant food comes in a bottle that contains 32 fl. oz. The interior contains a dropper that makes it easy to measure out the liquids so nothing is wasted. Full product dimensions are 2.8 x 4.6 x 9.9 in. Ths Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus does work on roses, which have a tendency to be finicky.
The Bottom Line
Although simple, the Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus is one of the best plant food deals currently on the market because its effective, costs a low amount, and individuals get a lot in a single bottle. The dropper makes it easy to measure out portions, and the food works well even on more temperamental plants.
The main drawback is that it needs to be applied every seven days, which might seem excessive too gardeners with little time. For these reasons, the Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus comes in second place in this review.
- Country Of Origin: United States
- Product Type : Outdoor Living
- Item Package Dimensions: 1.88" L X 2.88" W X 4.75" H
- Item Package Weight: 0.25 Lb
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
Key Points at a Glance
- Use with Miracle Grow Feeder or Watering Can
- Contains N, P, K (24-8-16)
- Water Soluble
- For Indoor and Outdoor Plants
Dimensions and Specs
- Contains 8 or 16 oz.
- For Use Every 1-2 Weeks
- Covers 600 sq. ft.
- Mix 1 Tablespoon with 1 Gallon of Water
- Product Dimensions: 15.8 x 10.8 x 4.8 in.
The Details
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food is one of the best-selling products in the United States due to its recognizable branding and stable formula. This plant food provides nutrients in a 24-8-16 ratio that works well for most flowering buds, fruits, shrubs, and some variations of trees.
Note that this fertilizer is not considered organic, so if you have issues with GMO fertilizers for foods, stay away from this one on your fruit trees and plants.
The food itself is easily identified and water soluble so it can be mixed with water to be poured onto plants. A single tablespoon should be mixed with one gallon of water and used every 1-2 weeks for the best results. It’s recommended that indoor plants only receive ½ tablespoon per gallon since they have less space to grow.
If you want to use it over a larger area in your garden, pick up the Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder. This makes spreading the plant food much quicker, easier, and more convenient.
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This plant food is available in 8 or 16 oz. packs, or the 10-lb bulk package shown here. A single 8 oz. pack covers roughly 600 sq. ft. of area, making it ideal for individuals with small or medium gardens. It can be used with indoor or outdoor plants.
For best results, avoid overuse or overwatering. Miracle-Gro guarantees that the plant food will not burn plants when used as directed – burns caused by plant food are a common problem because of the surplus of acids and compounds.
The Bottom Line
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food is an effective and efficient plant food designed to be applicable to most flowers, shrubs, and trees. Individuals have had success using it on their annuals, perennials, and most hedges.
The formula is simple, the procedure to use the food is easy, and the product does not need to be used often for healthy growth.
The main issue people have with this particular product is that it’s expensive for how many ounces are contained in the package. It’s a good idea to buy this bulk option in order to keep costs relatively low. Regardless, this is a solid formula with great results.
- Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food grows bigger, more...
- This all-purpose plant food starts working instantly and promotes...
- Use with the Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder or any watering can
- To use with indoor plants, mix 1/2 tsp per gallon of water in a...
- One 10 lb. container of Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant...
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Fertilizer for Fruit Trees: Fox Farm Big Bloom Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer
Key Points at a Glance
- Organic
- Includes Ingredients like Earthworm Casings
- Works on Flowers and Fruits
- Improves Flower Scent
- Supposedly Improves Rate of Essential Oil Production
- Fertilizer Analysis: 1-30-70
Dimensions and Specs
- 16 or 32 fl. oz. Bottle
- Weighs 1.3 lbs.
- Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 7.8 x 2.5 in.
The Details
The Fox Farm Big Bloom Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer is a form of plant food that prides itself on only using organic, non-lab created ingredients like earthworm castings and bat guano. The food can be spread on flowers and plants that grow fruits.
The fertilizer analysis is listed as 1-30-70, which is an unusual ratio of nutrients that will not work on most plants but does work well on general flowers and fruits. It does not work well on roses.
The Fox Farm Big Bloom Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer makes some unusual claims, such as being able to improve a plant’s production of essential oils. For example, mint plants will produce more mint oil.
The plant food can also supposedly improve a flower’s scent by making it stronger. Each bottle contains either 16 or 32 fl. oz. and weighs roughly 1.3 lbs. The product dimensions are 2.5 x 7.8 x 2.5 in.
The Bottom Line
The Fox Farm Big Bloom plant food isn’t a bad product and is certainly unique for being organic in comparison to other products which tend to contain synthesized nutrition. The food is also inexpensive and works well on most flowering plants.
The main problem is that it possesses a specialized, unusual nutritional ratio. This nutrient combination won’t work well on certain popular flowers like roses, and the food also can’t be used on shrubs like the others. It’s definitely not an all-around fertilizer.
Some product claims also lack evidence, such as improving essential oil production.
- Big Blooms Start with Big Bloom: Achieve vibrant, healthy blooms with...
- Formula: Our liquid plant fertilizer delivers essential nutrients...
- Strengthens Roots and Boosts Flavor: Our outdoor and fertilizer for...
- Versatile Use: Our bloom fertilizer is ideal for all flowering and...
- Easy to Apply: This FoxFarm liquid fertilizer mixes effortlessly with...
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food
Key Points at a Glance
- Liquid
- Comes in a Dropper Bottle
- Mixes with Water
- Fast Release Formula
- Works on Roses
- Made by Infinity Lawn and Garden
- Fertilizer Analysis: 10-15-10
Dimensions and Specs
- 8 fl. oz. Bottle
- Mix 7 Drops with 1 Quart Water
- Bottle Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 8 in.
- Weighs 2.8 lbs.
The Details
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food is a liquid plant food designed to be mixed with water to give plants their essential nutrients. The formula is strong. You use seven drops, mixed with one quart of water to make the fertilizer mix. From there, you spray or pour onto gardens, trees, shrubs, and other plants.
Each container of the product holds 8 fl. oz. and is designed with a 10-15-10 ratio of N, P, and K.
The bottle is designed to be a dropper so portions are simple to measure out and dilute with water.
The fast release formula ensures plants are able to absorb nutrients before the food and water evaporate. This leaves behind healthy, shiny flowers, shrubs, and other growths.
This food does work on more finicky flowers like roses, but perhaps not as well as the Schultz All Purpose Plus mentioned above.
The Bottom Line
Schultz All Purpose Plant Food is similar to its counterpart earlier on the list, but with some slight differences. This particular brand is designed to be fast-release and works well on roses, which is rare.
Although a solid plant food, though, the Schultz All Purpose Plant Food doesn’t stand out compared to the others being reviewed and thus did not make the top of the list.
Some people find that the liquid can leak out of the bottle near the cap due to easily broken seals. Be sure to keep the bottle upright when not in use.
- For all Indoor and Outdoor Plants
- Encourages new growth
- Just 7 drops of water every time you water
- 10-15-10 Formula
Last update on 2024-12-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
What’s a gardener to do when they have plants to feed and those containers of instant noodles aren’t working? Purchase a plant food!
Out of those reviewed today, the Osmocote All-Around Plant Food comes out as a winner. It works well in many applications, lasts for 6-months, has a no-burn guarantee, and is reasonably priced. It’s the best plant foood for most needs.
For those who would prefer a liquid, especially for flowers and fruits, this review’s runner up is Schultz All Purpose Plant Food Plus, which contains essential nutrients and works on most garden plants.
If you want an organic fertilizer, check out the Fox Farm Big Bloom. It’s a great choice for those who prefer to stick to organic fertilization.
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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