Daily gardening tip · Southern hemisphere · Monday 24 August 2026 · late winter
Stop feeding indoor plants too early
Many beginners think feeding indoor plants in late winter gives them a head start for spring, but fertilizing too early can actually damage their roots.
5 minuteseasyindoor plants
Examine your indoor plants closely for any signs of active new growth.
Keep your plant fertilizer in the cupboard if the plant is still dormant with no new leaves.
Water your plants only when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Wait until you see consistent new spring leaves before you apply any liquid fertilizer.
Why it works
During late winter, indoor plants are still resting and their growth is slow. Because they are not growing actively, they cannot absorb fertilizer nutrients, which then build up in the soil and can chemically burn the dormant roots.
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