When to Fertilize Indoor Plants, and When to Stop

Indoor plants need feeding only while they are growing, which for most homes means spring through early autumn. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half the strength on the label, every second watering. Stop entirely in winter, when short days slow growth and unused fertilizer builds up as salts in the soil. White crust on the soil surface or brown leaf tips are signs you have overdone it, and the fix is to flush the pot with plain water until it runs clear. A plant that was repotted into fresh mix does not need feeding for about three months.