Fertilizing Your Aralia Plant:
The Dos and Don’ts

Aralia plants are known for their beautiful foliage and are a popular choice for indoor houseplants. To keep your aralia plants healthy and thriving, it’s essential to add the right nutrients through fertilization. However, too much or too little fertilizer can harm your plant. Therefore, it’s crucial to know the dos and don’ts of fertilizing your aralia plant.

The Dos of Fertilizing Your Aralia Plant

1. Choose the Right Fertilizer: Aralia plants prefer a well-balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. You can use a liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets, depending on your preference.

2. Fertilize During the Growing Season: Aralia plants grow actively in spring and summer, so this is the best time to fertilize them. Start fertilizing your plant in early spring and stop by late summer.

3. Dilute the Fertilizer: Always dilute the fertilizer as per the instructions on the package. A concentrated solution can burn the roots of your aralia plant.

4. Apply Fertilizer After Watering: Water your aralia plant before applying fertilizer to avoid burning its roots.

5. Fertilize Regularly: Regular fertilization is essential for maintaining healthy growth in your aralia plant. Apply fertilizer every two or three weeks during the growing season.

The Don’ts of Fertilizing Your Aralia Plant

1. Don’t Over-Fertilize: Over-fertilization can cause salt build-up in the soil, which can harm your aralia plant’s roots. Follow the instructions on the package and avoid using more fertilizer than recommended.

2. Don’t Fertilize During Winter: Aralia plants go dormant during winter, so they don’t need any extra nutrients during this time.

3. Don’t Use Fertilizer on Dry Soil: Applying fertilizer on dry soil can burn your aralia plant’s roots. Water your plant before applying fertilizer to ensure the roots absorb it correctly.

4. Don’t Use Foliar Feed: Aralia plants don’t respond well to foliar feed, which means applying fertilizer directly on leaves. It can cause leaf burn, and the nutrients won’t be absorbed correctly.

5. Don’t Use Homemade Fertilizers: Homemade fertilizers may not provide all the necessary nutrients required by your aralia plant. They may also contain harmful chemicals that can damage your plant.

FAQ Section

1. How often should I fertilize my aralia plant?

You should fertilize your aralia plant every two or three weeks during its active growing season (spring and summer).

2. What type of fertilizer should I use for my aralia plant?

Choose a well-balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.

3. Can I use homemade fertilizers for my aralia plant?

It’s not recommended to use homemade fertilizers as they may not provide all necessary nutrients required by your aralia plant and may contain harmful chemicals that can damage your plant.

4. Can I foliar feed my aralia plant with fertilizer?

No, it’s not recommended to foliar feed your aralia plant with fertilizer as it can cause leaf burn, and the nutrients won’t be absorbed correctly.

5. When should I stop fertilizing my aralia plant?

Stop fertilizing your aralia plant by late summer as it goes dormant during winter and doesn’t need extra nutrients during this time.

In conclusion, proper fertilization is essential for maintaining healthy growth in your aralia plants. Follow these dos and don’ts to ensure that you’re providing the right nutrients without harming your plant.