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Houseplant fertilizer

Course DIY
Keyword epsom salt, frugal gardening, houseplant food, indoor plants
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Two houseplant feeds: an Epsom salts, baking powder and ammonia mix, and a gelatin feed for nitrogen.

What You’ll Need

Epsom salts plant fertilizer

  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) Epsom salts
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) saltpeter
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml.) ammonia
  • 1 gallon (4 L.) of water

Gelatin plant food (also )

  • 1 package gelatin
  • 1 cup (240 ml.) hot water
  • 3 cups (720 ml.) cold water

Directions

  • Epsom salts fertilizer: Mix the dry ingredients and the ammonia into 1 gallon of water and keep it in an airtight container. Use it every four to six weeks.
  • Gelatin food: Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water, then stir in the cold water. Use it once a month.

Notes

A simple spray: 1 tablespoon Epsom salts in 1 gallon water, once a month. A weak green tea feed: 1 teabag in 2 gallons water, every four weeks. Test any home mix on a small part of the plant first; never apply on a hot or brightly sunny day. Gelatin gives nitrogen, and not all plants want lots of nitrogen.
Safety: Ammonia fumes are irritating: mix in a ventilated area with gloves, and NEVER combine ammonia with bleach. Saltpeter (potassium nitrate) is an oxidizer; store away from heat and out of reach of kids. Label the jug clearly as plant food, not for drinking, and keep it away from pets.