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Embrace the timeless elegance of the Kentia Palm, a symbol of tropical grace and sophistication.

With their graceful fronds and tropical allure, indoor palms are cherished for their ability to transform any indoor space into a lush oasis. Whether adorning living rooms, offices, or lobbies, these botanical beauties exude elegance and tranquility. While indoor palms like the Kentia Palm and Lady Palm are renowned for their adaptability and low-maintenance nature, providing them with the right nutrients can significantly enhance their growth and vitality. Read on to discover the best fertilizer for indoor palms and how to effectively fertilize these iconic plants for optimal health and beauty.

Understanding the NPK Ratio

The Best Plant Food for Indoor Palms

Can Fertilizing My Indoor Palm Help It Thrive?

When to Fertilize Your Indoor Palm

Understanding the NPK Ratio

Indoor palms are slow growers and, like other plants, have specific nutrient requirements essential for their growth and well-being. When choosing a fertilizer for indoor palms, it's crucial to consider the NPK ratio, which represents the proportion of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the fertilizer formulation. For indoor palms, a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or similar is recommended. This balanced blend ensures that your indoor palms receive the essential nutrients necessary for robust growth and vibrant foliage.

The Best Plant Food for Indoor Palms

While various fertilizers can effectively nourish indoor palms, opting for a high-quality, all-natural liquid plant food is ideal for promoting optimal growth and vitality. Our Boost Vitaminé is specifically formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of indoor palms, providing them with the essential nutrients they need to thrive. Enriched with natural ingredients, Boost Vitaminé promotes healthy root development, lush foliage, and overall plant vigor, ensuring your indoor palms remain vibrant and flourishing.

Can Fertilizing My Indoor Palm Help It Thrive?

While indoor palms may not bloom like their outdoor counterparts, proper fertilization can significantly enhance their overall health and appearance. By providing your indoor palms with the right nutrients at the appropriate times, you can stimulate robust growth, vibrant foliage, and a thriving, verdant presence in your indoor space.

Elevate your indoor palms with Boost Vitaminé Plant Food – the ultimate nourishment for vibrant growth and lush foliage!

When to Fertilize Your Indoor Palm

Timing is key when it comes to fertilizing palms to ensure optimal growth and vitality. During the active growing season, typically from spring to summer, incorporate a balanced liquid fertilizer into your watering routine every two to four weeks. This regular feeding schedule provides your indoor palms with the necessary nutrients to support healthy growth and vibrant foliage. As fall and winter approach and your palms begin to receive less light throughout the day, reduce fertilization to once every two months to prevent overfeeding and maintain overall plant health.

At Léon and George, we're on a mission to bring the beauty of nature into your daily life. Our hand-selected, California-grown plants such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, Ficus Audrey, and Bird of Paradise are carefully chosen for their quality, health, and beauty. We believe in simplicity, fairness, and sustainability, sourcing our plants from trusted local growers who share our values. When you bring a Léon and George plant into your home, you're not just getting greenery – you're getting a piece of nature treated with our all-natural products and staged for optimal growth. We're here to make plant ownership accessible and enjoyable for everyone, fostering a connection between people and the natural world.

Care Guide, Plant CareLéon & GeorgeFebruary 15, 2024Kentia Palm, Palm, Fishtail Palm, Ponytail Palm, indoor plants, houseplant, Fertilizing, plant foodComment

The Best Fertilizer For Dracaenas

The Dracaena Lisa adds a touch of elegance to any space, showcased here in a Coral Mid-Century Pot atop a Light Wood stand.

With their striking upright leaves and air-purifying qualities, Dracaenas are a sought-after choice for both seasoned indoor gardeners and newcomers to plant care alike. Originating primarily from tropical regions of Africa and Asia, Dracaenas boast resilience and adaptability, making them ideal companions for indoor environments. While these low-maintenance beauties can thrive on minimal care, providing them with the right nutrients can elevate their growth and vitality. Read on to discover the best fertilizer for all varieties of Dracaenas and how to effectively fertilize these beloved houseplants.

Understanding the NPK Ratio

The Best Plant Food for Dracaenas

Can Fertilizing My Dracaena Enhance Growth?

When to Fertilize Your Dracaena

Understanding the NPK Ratio

Booste Vitaminé plant food: the secret for thriving plants.

When it comes to fertilizers, deciphering the NPK ratio is crucial. The NPK ratio represents the proportion of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the fertilizer formulation. Different plants have distinct nutrient requirements, so selecting a fertilizer tailored to your Dracaena's needs is essential for optimal growth and health.

For Dracaenas, a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or similar is recommended. This balanced blend ensures that your Dracaena receives essential nutrients necessary for robust growth and overall well-being.

The Best Plant Food for Dracaenas

While there are various fertilizers on the market suitable for nourishing Dracaenas, consider opting for a high-quality, all-natural liquid plant food that is gentle yet effective. Our Boost Vitaminé is a premium plant food crafted to promote growth, strengthen roots, and enhance overall plant vigor. Formulated with natural ingredients, Boost Vitaminé provides Dracaenas with the nutrients they need to flourish, offering a convenient solution for your plant care routine.

Can Fertilizing My Dracaena Enhance Growth?

Dracaenas are prized for their unique foliage and air-purifying properties, but they are not necessarily fast growing plants. While Dracaenas can occasionally produce fragrant flowers, particularly when grown outdoors in optimal conditions, indoor specimens typically do not bloom. Regularly fertilizing your Dracaena will help it maintain steady growth, but again, these are not super fast growing plants.

By selecting the right fertilizer and adhering to a simple feeding regimen, you can ensure your Dracaena thrives and maintains its beauty. Dracaenas are resilient and forgiving plants, making them suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

When to Fertilize Your Dracaena

Timing plays a crucial role in fertilizing Dracaenas. These plants exhibit active growth during the spring and summer months, making this period ideal for providing them with nutrients. Incorporate a balanced liquid fertilizer into your watering routine every four to six weeks during the growing season to ensure your Dracaena receives adequate nourishment.

As fall approaches and your Dracaena enters a phase of slower growth, reduce fertilization to once every two months. During the dormant season, Dracaenas require fewer nutrients, and excessive fertilization can negatively impact their health.

By understanding the unique nutritional needs of Dracaenas and selecting the appropriate fertilizer, you embark on a journey of fostering growth, strength, and resilience in your beloved houseplants. With each carefully measured dose of plant food, you nourish not only the roots and leaves but also the spirit of your Dracaena.

Discover our curated selection of Dracaenas that will add a touch of elegance and vitality to your indoor space here.

Designed to Thrive

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Care Guide, Plant CareLéon & GeorgeFebruary 11, 2024Dracaena Lisa, Dracaena Compacta, Dragon Tree, Plant Care, Fertilizing, indoor plants, houseplantComment

What To Know Before You Fertilize Your Plants

Fertilizing your plants is like giving them a nutrient-packed smoothie – it's the secret recipe for their vibrant and blooming success!

Like all living creatures, plants have certain needs in order to live their best lives: they require light, water, and nutrients to thrive. While most of the nutrients come from the soil, potted plants can experience nutrient depletion over time. This is where fertilizer steps in, and is an important part of keeping your plant “well-fed” over time. But before you dive into feeding your leafy companions, there are a few important things you should know about fertilizers.

When to Fertilize
What Type of Fertilizer to Use
Types of Fertilizers
Recommended Fertilizers for Indoor Plants
How to Fertilize Indoor Plants

When to Fertilize

Timing is everything when it comes to fertilizing your plants. In general, you should fertilize during the growing season, which usually spans spring and summer. During these months, increased warmth and light stimulate plant growth that might slow down in the colder, darker winter. Feeding your plants with nutrients at the right time helps boost their growth.

When it comes to indoor houseplants, you might also fertilize in the fall and winter, particularly if the plant is putting out new growth. Feeding it lightly during this time will support that new growth!

What Type of Fertilizer to Use

Fertilizers typically contain three primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, often abbreviated as NPK. These nutrients are represented by numbers on the fertilizer's packaging, such as 10-20-15 or 15-15-15, and they correspond to the percentages of N-P-K in the fertilizer. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer usually has them in equal proportions. However, there are specialized fertilizers for specific plants, like orchids or roses, which may have different NPK ratios and additional micronutrients tailored to the plants' needs. The fertilizer's label should provide all the necessary information about its intended use. Also check out the best fertilizer for popular plants like the Bird of Paradise, Snake Plant and Fiddle Leaf Fig!

Types of Fertilizers

Liquid Fertilizer: This water-soluble fertilizer is added directly to your watering can every two weeks. Be sure to follow the label instructions carefully for accurate measurements, as overdoing it can harm your plant's leaves. The benefits of liquid fertilizer include precise control over nutrient delivery and the ability to observe your plant's reaction and adjust future feedings accordingly.

Slow Release: At the start of the growing season, incorporate slow-release fertilizer directly into your plant's soil. These fertilizers release nutrients gradually over 2-3 months, reducing the need for frequent feeding. It's particularly handy if you're planning a vacation, as your plants will receive the nourishment they need in your absence.

Recommended Fertilizers for Indoor Plants

While any indoor plant food will suffice, here are some recommended products to consider:

Boost Vitaminé Natural Plant Food: This natural plant food, with only four ingredients, is suitable for use with any indoor plant. What makes it stand out is its gentle formula, making it safe to use sparingly even in winter.

Potion Magique Foliar Feed: Ever tried foliar feeding? It might not be as effective for promoting new growth, but it increases nutrient intake through the plant's leaves. Potion Magique is a potent, all-natural foliar feed that you can incorporate into your misting routine. Plus, it smells divine!

Boost Vitaminé Natural Plant Food: The four-ingredient wonder that's gentle enough for your indoor plants, even when the winter chill sets in!

How to Fertilize Indoor Plants

Always follow the guidelines provided with your chosen fertilizer. Some come in liquid form to mix with your watering, while others are solid and can be placed in the soil or sprinkled on top. As a general rule, fertilize your plants 1-2 times per month in spring and summer. Reduce to once a month or cease fertilizing during the winter, depending on the strength of your plant food.

Remember, it's entirely possible to over-fertilize your plant, leading to "burning" or yellowing/browning of the leaf tips. Also, be aware that new commercial potting mixes often contain fertilizer, so you should wait about a month before fertilizing a newly potted plant.

Now that you're equipped with these fertilizer fundamentals, go ahead and nurture your hungry plants to ensure they flourish and thrive. Happy feeding!

Designed to Thrive

Premium plants, potted and delivered, plus lifetime access to 24/7 Plant Doctor support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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Care GuideLéon & GeorgeNovember 3, 2023Fertilizing, indoor plants, houseplantComment

The Best Fertilizer For Snake Plants

Help your Snake Plant live its best life with a regular fertilizing routine!

Understanding the NPK Ratio
The Best Plant Food for a Snake Plant
Can Fertilizing My Snake Plant Help It Grow?
When To Fertilize Your Snake Plant

With their striking upright leaves and air-purifying qualities, Snake Plants (Sanseverias) are a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts and novices alike. Native to the arid regions of West Africa, they are well-suited to indoor environments due to their ability to tolerate low light conditions and infrequent watering. While Snake Plants are known for their adaptability, providing them with the right nutrients can boost their growth and overall health. Keep reading to learn about the best fertilizer for all varieties of Snake Plants and how to best fertilize these low-maintenance plants effectively.

Understanding the NPK Ratio

Fertilizer labels often display an NPK ratio, representing the ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the product. Different plants have specific nutrient requirements, so it's important to choose a fertilizer that matches your Snake Plant's needs.

Snake plants thrive with a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or similar. This balanced ratio ensures that your Snake Plant receives essential nutrients for overall growth and health.

The Best Plant Food for a Snake Plant

While various fertilizers with the right NPK ratio can effectively nourish your Snake Plant, consider using a high-quality, all-natural liquid plant food that is gentle enough to use year round. Our Boost Vitaminé is an all-natural plant food that promotes growth, strengthens roots, and enhances overall plant vigor. It's suitable for Snake Plants and many other indoor plants, offering a convenient solution to your plant care needs.

Feed your Snake Plant's inner beauty with the secret to lush leaves: the perfect fertilizer.

Can Fertilizing My Snake Plant Help It Grow?

Snake Plants are primarily grown for their attractive foliage and air-purifying qualities, making them a favorite for those seeking low-maintenance greenery. While Snake Plants can occasionally produce small, fragrant white flowers, especially when grown outdoors, indoor Snake Plants rarely bloom as indoor houseplants. Fertilization may encourage leaf growth and overall plant health but is unlikely to trigger flowering in indoor settings.

By choosing the right fertilizer and following a simple feeding schedule, you can keep your Snake Plant thriving and looking its best. Remember that Snake Plants are hardy and forgiving, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts.

When To Fertilize Your Snake Plant

Timing is key when it comes to fertilizing Snake Plants. These plants experience active growth during the spring and summer months, making this the ideal time to focus on providing them with nutrients. To ensure your Snake Plant receives the nourishment it needs, incorporate a balanced liquid fertilizer into your watering routine every four to six weeks during the growing season.

Liquid fertilizers like the Natural Plant Food are convenient for Snake Plants because they are easy to apply and less likely to cause fertilizer burn (when you give your plant too much fertilizer), provided you follow the package instructions and dilute the fertilizer correctly in water.

As fall and winter approach and your Snake Plant enters a period of slower growth, reduce feeding your Snake Plant to once every two months. During this dormant phase, Snake Plants require fewer nutrients, and over-fertilizing can harm their health.

Good luck! The Snake Plant is an easy-going houseplant that requires little to no maintenance over time, but by giving it a little nutrient boost, you’ll enjoy its beauty for years and years to come!

Care Guide, Plant CareLéon & GeorgeOctober 13, 2023Fertilizing, snake plant, plant food, Plant Care, Plant delivery, plant tipsComment

The Best Fertilizer for A Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise plants, with their stunning tropical foliage and vibrant blooms, add a touch of exotic beauty to any indoor or outdoor space. To ensure these majestic plants thrive and reach their full potential, providing them with the right nutrients is essential. Just like any other living organism, Bird of Paradise plants require nourishment to grow healthy leaves and (if you’re lucky!) produce those iconic, colorful flowers. In this article, we'll explore the best fertilizer for Bird of Paradise and guide you on how to fertilize these plants effectively.

Bird of Paradise plants, scientifically known as Strelitzia reginae, originate from South Africa and are accustomed to nutrient-rich soils. While it's challenging to recreate the exact conditions found in their natural habitat, we can still strive to provide them with optimal care. By choosing the right fertilizer, you can supply your Bird of Paradise with the essential nutrients it needs to flourish and achieve its full potential.

When To Fertilize Your Bird of Paradise

When it comes to fertilizing Bird of Paradise plants, timing is crucial. The growing season for these plants typically occurs during spring and summer when they experience active growth. It's during this period that you should focus on providing them with adequate nutrients. To ensure your Bird of Paradise receives the nourishment it requires, incorporate a liquid fertilizer into your watering routine every other week. Liquid fertilizers are easy to use and generally safe for your plants. However, it's crucial to follow the instructions on the package carefully, diluting the fertilizer into water to avoid over-fertilization and potential fertilizer burn.

As fall approaches and your Bird of Paradise enters its dormant stage, it's important to adjust your fertilization routine accordingly. During this period, you should taper off fertilizing and reduce it to every three or four weeks. This adjustment allows the plant to prepare for its dormant phase in winter when growth slows down. If your plant is no longer growing at all, you can completely stop fertilizing until the spring.

What NPK Ratio Does The Bird Of Paradise Need?

Understanding fertilizer terminology can be daunting, particularly if you're new to plant care. Fertilizers are often labeled with an NPK ratio, representing the ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) they contain. Each plant species has specific nutritional requirements, which is why it's recommended to choose fertilizers tailored to the plant you are nurturing.

Bird of Paradise plants, similar to their foliage-loving counterparts, benefit from fertilizers with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. This ratio signifies a higher nitrogen content, which is essential for promoting healthy leaf growth and overall plant vigor. Nitrogen supports the production of chlorophyll, which is responsible for the plant's lush green foliage. Our all-natural liquid plant food is gentle enough to use on your Bird of Paradise year round, and has an excellent NPK ratio not just for Birds of Paradise but for all indoor plants.

What’s The Best Plant Food For A Bird Of Paradise?

Now that we've covered the basics of fertilizing Bird of Paradise plants, you may be wondering which specific fertilizer is best for your beloved plant. While there are several fertilizers available with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2 that can work effectively, Boost Vitaminé, an all-natural plant food with just four ingredients, will work wonders for your Bird of Paradise. This specialized fertilizer is formulated specifically for indoor plants and provides comprehensive instructions on the best care practices, ensuring optimal growth and blooming potential.

Will Fertilizing My Bird Of Paradise Help It Grow Flowers?

If you are caring for an outdoor Bird of Paradise, then yes! Fertilizing will absolutely promote your plant’s beautifully vibrant flowers. However, it is very rare for this plant to produce flowers when grown indoors.

Care Guide, Plant CareLéon & GeorgeJune 1, 2023Bird of Paradise, Fertilizing, Plant Care, plant food, Plant ShopComment

When and how often should you fertilize indoor plants?

Plants need light, water, and nutrients. Most plants get their nutrients from the soil, but over time a soil’s nutrients can get depleted, especially with potted plants. This is when fertilizer comes in handy. But there are a few things you should know about fertilizer before feeding your plant.

When to fertilize
Different types of fertilizer
Recommended fertilizers
How to fertilize indoor plants

When to fertilize indoor plants

The general guideline is to fertilize during the growing season, which is usually spring and summer. The extra warmth and light during these seasons stimulates plant growth that pauses during the cold and dark of winter. This is also why plants need less water during the winter. Adding nutrients at the right time helps spur that growth.

What type of fertilizer to use

Most commercial fertilizers include three main nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK for short). These are often listed as numbers on a fertilizer’s packaging, in the form of 10-20-15 or 15-15-15. The numbers correspond to the percentages of N-P-K in the fertilizer. All purpose fertilizer usually has them in equal proportions, but the labeling should be clear. There are special fertilizers for plants like orchids or roses that have different proportions of NPK and other micronutrients the plants might need, and there are even fertilizers for stages of growth (ex: younger plants often need more phosphorous). A fertilizer’s label should tell you all you need to know about what it’s meant to be used for.

Liquid Fertilizer

A water soluble fertilizer that you add directly to your watering can every 2 weeks. Any brand will do, just follow label instructions closely for proper measurements. Overdoing it can scorch the plant’s leaves.

Benefits:

gives you more precise control over the amount of nutrients your plants are getting
allows you to see results faster, observe how your plants are reacting, and adjust future feedings (amount & length of time in between) accordingly

Slow Release

At the beginning of the growing season add slow release fertilizer directly to your plants’ soil. Any brand will do, but follow label instructions closely.

Benefits:

you'll only have to feed your plants once during this growth season as these fertilizers release a small amount of nutrients into the soil intermittently over 2-3 months
if vacationing is on your agenda, you can leave knowing your plants have the food they need to flourish in your absence

Recommended fertilizers for indoor plants

Any indoor plant food is suitable, but here are some recommended products worth checking out:

Boost Vitaminé Natural Plant Food

This natural plant food contains only four ingredients and is designed to be used with any indoor plant. We love it because unlike harsher, chemical-based fertilizers, it’s gentle enough to use sparingly even in the winter!

Potion Magique Foliar Feed

Ever tried foliar feeding? While it won’t be as effective in boosting new growth on your plant, it will increase nutrient intake through the plant’s leaves, and also works as a wonderful rescue remedy for sad or neglected plants. Try Potion Magique, a potent, all-natural foliar feed that you use in your misting routine (and also smells divine!).

How to fertilize indoor plants

Always follow the guidelines that come with the fertilizer you’ve purchased. Some fertilizer is liquid that you mix in when you water the plant, and some comes in solid form you stick in the soil or sprinkle above it. Generally speaking, fertilize your plants 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer, and reduce to one time per month or no fertilizing during the winter (depending on the strength of your plant food).

Something to note is that it’s very possible to give a plant too much fertilizer. It’s possible to “burn” a plant with too much fertilizer at once, and you’ll notice this if the tips of the leaves turn yellow/brown.

Also note that new commercial potting mix generally already has fertilizer in it, so you wouldn’t want to fertilize a freshly potted plant right away – wait about a month or so.

That’s about it. Now go forth and feed your hungry plants!

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

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Plant CareMarie ClaireMarch 21, 2023Plant Care, Fertilizing

Plant Food 101: What is Foliar Feeding?

Natural Plant Food: Foliar Feeding

Fertilizing your indoor plants is an important step in caring for your plants, as it ensures they get the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy over time.

While most people think of indoor liquid fertilizers to use in the soil, what many don’t know is that your plant can also actually consume food through its leaves, or foliage. This is called foliar feeding, and it’s an excellent addition to your plant care routine.

Here’s a simple rundown on the ins and outs of foliar feeding, the most gentle (and most fun!) method of fertilizing your plants.

Plant Food Through Foliage

It would be understandable to assume that by applying foliar feed only to a plant’s leaves, you would be nourishing its leaves exclusively. But that’s just not the case! The natural, nurturing plant food that you apply to your plant’s foliage travels throughout your plant, boosting its health from root to leaf.

It makes sense: the leaves of your plant do most of the work in terms of photosynthesize. They capture more light than any other part of your plant, and contain the most chlorophyll to absorb it (you can think of chlorophyll as the “net” that captures rays of light and converts them into the sugary carbohydrates that make every part of your plant grow).

Stems and branches also photosynthesize, but to a lesser degree, because they contain less chlorophyll. So when using foliar feed, it is best to focus on applying it to your plant’s leaves.

How to Apply Foliar Feed

One of the great benefits of foliar feed is that, unlike regular liquid fertilizer, it is gentle enough to apply across all of the year’s seasons. Traditional fertilizers like Boost Vitaminé are typically applied during spring and summer, and usually only once every few weeks, and foliar feed can be used in alternation with them.

Our natural foliar feed, Potion Magique, should be diluted with water in a spray bottle or mister. The formula calls for three drops of Potion Magique to be diluted for every eight ounces of water. The spray bottle or mister should then be shaken lightly to mix ingredients. Once blended, the mix can be sprayed directly onto your plant’s leaves and voilà- that’s that! You do not need to wipe the mixture off of your plant’s leaves. Simply allow it to do its work, and enjoy the results.

Our new collection of plant care essentials, L’Alchimie Botanique, comprises a few gold-star products that we know our customers will use and love. From two varieties of plant food (liquid fertilizers) to our organic, olive oil based black soap, L’Alchimie Botanique has all the plant elixirs you crave-- but none has been more hotly anticipated than Potion Magique, our new foliar feed. This gentle indoor plant fertilizer was designed to provide your plant with health-boosting nutrients all year round, and as the name implies, its results are truly magical! But if you don’t spend your time in deep studies of recreational horticulture, you may be at a loss as to what “Foliar Feed” really means. We hear you!

**NATURAL FOLIAR FEED - Potion MagiQUE**

A nourishing plant mist and foliar feed, derived from nature’s most potent ingredients. Experience the drift of Potion Magique’s soothing aroma as you care for your plants.

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Plant CareLéon & GeorgeOctober 27, 2021Plant Care, FertilizingComment