Making homemade fertilizer for potted plants It is an increasingly valued option for those looking to take care of their indoor and outdoor plants, save money, and contribute to the environment. Reusing organic waste From the home, we can obtain essential nutrients for the vigorous growth of our plants, both in pots and planters, without resorting to chemicals. Below, you'll find a comprehensive guide with all the methods, materials, and practical recommendations for preparing natural fertilizers and applying them correctly, adapting the best reference techniques and the latest trends in sustainable gardening.
Why make homemade compost for potted plants?
Preparing compost at home allows take advantage of food waste and other organic materials we generate daily, transforming them into a rich and balanced source of nutrients. This represents an ecological and economical alternative to artificial fertilizers and contributes to reducing the amount of household waste.
- We reduce the environmental impact and waste of resources.
- We provide natural nutrients adapted to the needs of each plant.
- We promote biodiversity in the substrate, improving the health of the soil and roots.
- Prevents the accumulation of salts and chemicals which can be harmful in the long term to the substrate of the pots.
What are the key nutrients for homemade compost?
The success of the fertilizer is in achieving a balanced intake of macronutrients and micronutrients:
- Nitrogen (N): Essential for the growth and development of leaves and stems.
- Phosphorus (P): Essential for the formation of strong roots and flowering.
- Potassium (K): Strengthens plant resistance, improves flowering and fruit production.
- Iron, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals: Necessary in smaller quantities but essential for processes such as photosynthesis and the overall health of the plant.
Combining different food scraps and materials promotes the proper proportion of each element and stimulates microbial activity, which enables decomposition. For more information on specific techniques, you can consult our guide on how to make homemade foliar fertilizer.
Best homemade natural fertilizers and compost for potted plants
There are different ingredients and techniques that you can use to enrich the substrate and meet your plants' needs at different stages. Here are the most effective and easy-to-prepare ones to prepare at home, along with key recommendations for their application:
- Banana peels: Rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. You can use its banana tea Boil the peels in water for 15 minutes. Use this liquid to water flowering or growing plants.
- Eggshells: Rich in calcium and some additional minerals, they're excellent for plants that require less acidic soil. Wash them, let them dry, grind them into a fine powder, and mix them into the soil or sprinkle them on the surface. They also act as a natural repellent for snails and caterpillars.
- Coffee grounds: They provide nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and a touch of acidity. Ideal for acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas, camellias, azaleas, and ferns. They can be mixed dry with the soil (no more than 10%) or made into a diluted infusion for irrigation.
- Wood ash: It contains potassium, calcium, and other minerals. It's useful for acidic soils but should be avoided in acid-loving or alkaline soils. Dissolve a handful in water and water or sprinkle it around plants.
- Manure (rabbit, goat, chicken...): Very rich in nitrogen and organic matter. Rabbit manure can be applied directly. The rest should be composted first to avoid possible damage from excess freshness. You can also learn how to prepare rabbit manure. homemade organic fertilizer.
- Lentil sprouts: They stimulate rooting and provide phytic acid, which acts as a plant hormone. Grind the sprouts in water, filter, and dilute one part in ten parts water before watering.
- Rice water: The liquid resulting from rinsing rice contains micronutrients and helps plants better absorb water and minerals. Ideal for succulents and fast-growing plants.
- Alcohol-free beer: Provides nitrogen and micronutrients. It can be used occasionally and diluted to prevent unpleasant odors or fermentation.
- Garlic infusion: In addition to being an excellent fertilizer, it works as a natural repellent for insects and fungi.
Bring the garlic cloves to a boil, let it cool, and use the infusion to water or spray on plants. - Apple vinager: Improves acidic soils. Dissolve one teaspoon in one liter of water and water acid-loving plants every two to three months at most.
- Natural Yogurt: It provides calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and probiotics that stimulate roots and overall plant health. Mix one tablespoon of yogurt with the same amount of water and apply it around the base of the plant once or twice a month. It's essential to use only unsweetened, unflavored, natural yogurt to prevent pests.
- Potato peels: Very rich in potassium and phosphorus, they contribute to root development and flowering. Make sure they are finely chopped and mix with the compost. For more tips, you can check out our guide on how to plant zucchini.
- Onion skins: They provide minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron, and have antifungal and antibacterial properties. You can add them to compost or prepare a decoction as a liquid fertilizer.
- Rice grains: They leave a residue rich in phosphorus and potassium, which you can use either dry or using the soaking water.
Taking advantage of these wastes by following some basic recipes guarantees a natural and balanced contribution of nutrients to your home garden, with excellent results in the health and flowering of your plants.
Homemade compost: the organic fertilizer par excellence
El homemade compost It's the best way to obtain balanced fertilizer from household organic waste. It provides a wide variety of nutrients to the soil and contributes to improving the structure and biodiversity of the substrate. To obtain quality compost, it's recommended to follow these steps:
- Use a suitable container, at least one meter deep, with holes to promote aeration and drainage. Choose the size based on the amount of waste generated. You can learn more in our section on .
- Cover the bottom with soil (four or five fingers). If the container is larger, increase the amount proportionally.
- Add organic waste: fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, potato peelings, etc. Avoid animal remains except eggshells, as they can attract pests or generate unpleasant odors.
- Cover the waste with a new layer of soil to avoid bad odors and accelerate decomposition.
- Remove the contents every two weeks with a shovel or suitable tool, swapping the top and bottom layers. This aeration is essential for a homogeneous, odor-free decomposition. You might also be interested in our tips for remove weeds.
The composting process depends on temperature and humidity. In warm climates, compost can be ready in approximately two months. If started in colder climates, decomposition can take up to five months. The finished compost will have a lumpy appearance and dark color, and it will smell like damp earth.
How to apply homemade fertilizer to pots and planters
Correct application of homemade fertilizer is essential To maximize its benefits and avoid damage to the roots or substrate, keep the following recommendations in mind:
- The best way to spread the fertilizer is with a rake. or other tool, making sure to spread it evenly around the roots.
- Do not bury the compost too deep.Ideally, it should be mixed superficially with the soil to prevent root suffocation and promote nutrient absorption.
- Avoid fertilizing during the hottest hours, as this can burn the roots or reduce nutrient availability.
- Apply fertilizer during active growth phases, flowering or after transplanting, when the plant needs it most.
- Do not exceed the dose: A thin layer every month or month and a half is usually sufficient for most potted species.
Homemade Liquid Fertilizers: How to Prepare and Apply Them
Apart from solid compost, Homemade liquid fertilizers are very useful for potted plants. that require rapid absorption of nutrients.
- Banana tea: Boil the peels of two bananas in one liter of water for 15 minutes. Let it cool, strain the liquid, and water your plants with this potassium-rich infusion.
- Coffee grounds infusion: Mix a small amount of coffee with water, let it sit overnight, and use the diluted liquid to water acid-loving plants.
- Lentil fertilizer: Grind the sprouts in water, strain and dilute one part in ten parts water before applying.
- Diluted apple cider vinegar: One teaspoon per liter of water, ideal for acidifying the substrate in plants that require it.
Always apply these liquids in moderate doses and never in excess, alternating with regular watering. It's advisable to alternate the types of fertilizers depending on the plant's stage and species.
When and how often to apply homemade fertilizer
Homemade fertilizer should be applied During periods of peak vegetative activity, such as spring and summer, or just before transplanting or after pruning to stimulate regrowth. The most common frequency is monthly, but it can be adjusted depending on plant growth, the type of substrate, and environmental conditions.
Observe signs such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering, which may indicate a lack of nutrients and the need for fertilization.
Common mistakes when making and using homemade compost in pots
- Abuse of fertilizers that are very rich in nitrogen: can cause excessive leaf growth but little flowering.
- Using uncomposted animal waste, except eggshell: attracts flies, pests and generates bad odor.
- Do not aerate or stir the compost.: causes anaerobic decomposition and bad odor.
- Applying fertilizer in excess or at the wrong time: can suffocate roots or cause burns.
- Mix alkaline fertilizers with acidophilic plants (azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, etc.).
- Use sweetened or flavored yogurts: Only natural, sugar-free yogurt is useful and safe.
Advantages of homemade compost over commercial fertilizers
- Zero or very low cost: you take advantage of household waste without having to buy additional products.
- Lower risk of overfertilization: Nutrients are released progressively and naturally, avoiding damage to the roots.
- Provides quality organic matter: improves the structure and moisture retention in the substrate, in addition to promoting beneficial microbial life.
- Contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the use of packaging, emissions and chemical waste.
- Stimulates curiosity, experimentation and learning on nutrient cycling and plant health.
Preparing and applying homemade fertilizer for potted plants is a simple and highly beneficial practice for both the home garden and the environment. With just a few materials, following the recipes and recommendations described, you can achieve excellent results in the growth, flowering, and vigor of your plants. Incorporate these techniques into your care routine and watch how your pots look healthier, stronger, and full of life, while actively contributing to reducing waste and respecting nature.
