How To Make Your Own Plant Food Bob Villa

With this DIY recipe and smart feeding tips, you can give your plants the nutrition they need without eating a hole in your
wallet. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila
If you want lush healthy houseplants and garden growth but aren’t thrilled about
paying for costly commercial foods with ingredients you can’t pronounce, you’re
in luck! You can easily make your own plant food at home for a fraction of the
price and—as a bonus—know exactly what goes into it.
All it takes to keep your favorite plant species robust and
beautiful are three common ingredients that you’ll find at
any supermarket for around $5 total (if you don’t already
have them on hand). Because this recipe requires such
small amounts and the ingredients last for months, your
cost will literally be pennies per batch!

You may be surprised to learn that the following products possess the properties and
nutrients plants need to thrive:

 Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfur, both of which are beneficial for plant
growth. Sulfur helps plants absorb nutrients from the soil while magnesium
increases the plant’s ability to produce chlorophyll, which is responsible for
maintaining healthy green foliage.
 Baking soda stimulates blooms in flowering plants and also reduces the risk of fungal
disease. This is especially beneficial for potted houseplants, which are prone to
mildew as a result of overwatering and limited air circulation.
 Household ammonia contains nitrogen, a component that promotes healthy root
growth. For plant food, be sure to use plain ammonia, free of other ingredients such
as scent or cleaning additives. And remember, ammonia is toxic to people and pets,
so be sure to label and store your homemade plant food accordingly.
How to Make Plant Food
MATERIALS AND TOOLS 

– 1gallon jug – Baking soda

– Epsom salt – Household ammonia
STEP 1 Measure 1 ½ tablespoons of Epsom salt into a clean gallon jug. A rinsed-out plastic milk
jug with its lid makes a great container for this homemade plant food.
STEP 2
 Add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda to the jug.
STEP 3
Measure a scant ½ teaspoon of household ammonia into the
jug. Scant means slightly less than the full ½ teaspoon. Don’t overdo it
with the ammonia; a little goes a long way!
STEP 4
Fill the rest of the jug with plain tap water, screw the lid on tightly, and
swish well to combine.

STEP 5
Let sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the Epsom salt to completely dissolve. Label the
container and store it in a cool dry spot where kids and pets can’t get into it.

Homemade Plant Food Tips and Tricks

 No need to dilute your homemade plant food. It’s ready to go!

 Feed potted houseplants once every three to five weeks. During the dog days of
winter, when plants grow more slowly, once every five weeks is sufficient. When
plants show renewed growth in spring, increase feedings to once every three
weeks.
 Use the same amount of homemade liquid plant food as you would normally water
indoor plants. For example, if you typically give your potted fern one cup of water,
substitute one cup of homemade plant food, which will provide sufficient water and
nutrients.
 Pour homemade plant food around the base of the plant, rather than on its foliage.
This is the best way for the roots to absorb all the nutrients.
 You can use this homemade plant food as an all-purpose fertilizer in an outdoor
flowerbed or garden. After regular watering, while the ground is still damp, pour two
to three cups around the base of each plant once every three weeks during the
growing season. Stop feeding outdoor plants in late fall, before they go dormant.