Guide to Fertilizing Your African Mallow Shrub

African mallow shrubs are a popular ornamental plant, prized for their beautiful foliage and showy flowers. Proper fertilization is essential to keeping your African mallow healthy and actively growing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through when, how, and what to feed your African mallow shrub. Follow these tips and your plant will thrive for years to come!

Why Fertilize African Mallow?

While African mallow shrubs are generally quite hardy fertilizing on a regular schedule provides important nutrients the plant needs to look its best. Fertilizer supplies key macronutrients like nitrogen phosphorus, and potassium. It also provides vital micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Fertilizing your African mallow shrub will:

• Promote lush green foliage growth
• Encourage abundant and vibrant blooms
• Help the plant develop a full, dense form
• Strengthen resistance to pests and diseases
• Replace nutrients lost from the soil over time

Without proper fertilization, you may notice your African mallow has yellowing leaves, sparse flowers, or a spindly, irregular shape. Feed your plant on schedule to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

When to Fertilize African Mallow

Timing is important when fertilizing African mallow shrubs. Feed your plant at the right time of year to fuel growth and flowering cycles.

The optimal times to fertilize African mallow are:

• Early spring, just before new growth emerges
• Late fall, after flowering finishes

Spring feeding invigorates your shrub right at the start of the growing season. Fall fertilizing helps your plant store nutrients through winter. Avoid fertilizing during summer heat or winter dormancy.

What Type of Fertilizer to Use

Look for a well-balanced fertilizer formulated specifically for ornamental shrubs. The percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) should be roughly equal for optimal growth.

Recommended fertilizers:

• 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 NPK ratios
• Slow-release or controlled-release formulas
• Granular, liquid, stakes, or spikes

Avoid “weed and feed” products, as these contain herbicides that can harm your African mallow. Organic options like compost, manure, and bone meal also work well.

How Often to Fertilize African Mallow

For best results, fertilize your African mallow shrub 2-3 times per year:

• Early spring before growth starts
• Mid-summer if needed
• Late fall as blooms fade

For the first application in spring, use a granular fertilizer scratched into the soil surface around the shrub. Liquid feeding can be used for mid-summer touch ups. In fall, spikes inserted 12 inches deep are ideal.

Slow-release fertilizers only need to be applied once in early spring. Follow packaging instructions for reapplication frequency.

How Much Fertilizer to Use

When feeding your African mallow shrub, always follow product label directions to avoid over-fertilizing. As a general rule for granular fertilizers, apply 1⁄2 to 1 cup evenly around the base of the plant. Adjust this amount depending on the size and age of your shrub.

If using liquid fertilizers, dilute to half strength before feeding your African mallow. Concentrated liquids can easily burn the roots if over-applied.

Err on the side of less when in doubt. It’s always better to under-fertilize than risk fertilizer burn. Start with smaller amounts and increase slowly over time.

Fertilizing Tips and Caution

Follow these tips to safely and effectively fertilize your African mallow shrub:

• Always water the plant thoroughly before and after feeding.
• Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves and stems.
• Switch up fertilizer formulations each season.
• Apply several smaller doses vs. one large dose.
• Rake any excess granules back into the soil.
• Stop fertilizing after late fall application.
• Watch for signs of fertilizer burn like browning leaves.

By learning the optimal schedule, fertilizer sources, dosage, and techniques, you can promote robust growth and flowering in your African mallow shrub. Pay close attention to the plant’s needs and adjust your feeding regimen accordingly. With a proper fertilization plan, your African mallow will thrive and enhance your landscape for years to come.