Aaron’s beard, also known as Soleirolia soleirolii, is a trailing houseplant adored for its lush, cascading foliage. With proper care including fertilization, these plants can thrive indoors for years. This comprehensive guide will teach you how and when to fertilize your Aaron’s beard to keep it healthy and growing strong.
Why Fertilize Aaron’s Beard?
While Aaron’s beard isn’t the most heavy-feeding plant, fertilizing provides important nutrients to support optimal growth and vibrancy. This includes:
- Nitrogen for lush, green foliage.
- Phosphorus to develop a healthy root system.
- Potassium for disease resistance and drought tolerance.
Over time, even the best potting soil will become depleted of nutrients. Fertilizing replenishes the missing elements so your plant can photosynthesize and grow properly
When to Fertilize
Timing is important when feeding your Aaron’s beard Avoid fertilizing in winter when growth has slowed The optimal time to fertilize is during the active growing seasons of spring through summer.
- Spring: Fertilize as new growth emerges in early spring. This fuels rapid growth as days lengthen.
- Summer: Fertilize regularly every 2-4 weeks during peak growing season.
- Fall: Reduce fertilizing as days shorten and growth naturally slows.
What Type of Fertilizer to Use
Choose a balanced liquid fertilizer made for houseplants. Avoid quick-release fertilizers which can burn roots. Look for:
- A NPK ratio like 10-10-10 with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Added micronutrients like magnesium, iron, and calcium.
- Organic or synthetic options work well.
Liquid fertilizers are easy to mix into your watering can and allow precise control over strength. Slow-release pellet fertilizers can also be incorporated into the soil.
How to Fertilize Your Plant
When using liquid fertilizer, follow these steps:
- Read the label and mix fertilizer in water per instructions.
- Water your plant as normal, but use the fertilizer solution instead of plain water.
- Pour fertilizer solution until it drains freely from the pot’s bottom.
- Rinse any spilled fertilizer off the leaves after watering.
For slow-release pellets, sprinkle on top of the soil and gently water in. No further mixing or measuring needed!
How Often Should You Fertilize?
During active growth, fertilize Aaron’s beard every 2-4 weeks. More frequent feeding can burn the roots, so don’t overdo it. Slow down feeding during cooler weather when plants are not actively growing.
If using liquid fertilizer, alternate between fertilizing and plain water to flush the soil of any built-up salts. Slow-release pellets only need reapplication every 2-3 months.
Signs Your Plant Needs Fertilizer
Watch for these cues that your Aaron’s beard would benefit from fertilization:
- Slow or stunted growth
- Pale leaves
- Smaller leaf size
- Loss of lower leaves
- Lackluster appearance
Plants that are robust and vibrant likely don’t need extra feeding. But any signs of deficiency indicate added nutrients can restore health.
Additional Tips for Success
- Always dilute liquid fertilizers to half or quarter strength to avoid fertilizer burn.
- Flush the soil monthly by watering thoroughly with plain water to prevent salt accumulation.
- Supplement with compost or worm castings for extra trace nutrients.
- Repot in fresh, nutrient-rich soil annually.
With a proper fertilization regimen tailored to your plant’s needs, your Aaron’s beard will thrive and cascade beautifully! Pay close attention to timing, frequency, and dosage for healthy, luminous foliage.
Aaron’s Beard Planting and Care Guide
Many showy, gold, yellow, 5-petaled, open, round flowers, to 2 in. (50 mm) wide, with feathery centers of erect stamens, in summer.
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 5–10; ground hardy, zones 5–10.
Planting and Growing Bluebeard
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, pods, and seeds of Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
- Growing conditions for Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
- When and where to plant Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
- How to plant Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
- How to shape, prune and control growth of Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flowera
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
- Landscape uses of Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
- Pest and disease control for Aaron’s beard, creeping St.-John’s-wort, or gold flower
Several cultivars of long-lived, fast-growing, prostrate, spreading, stoloniferous, evergreen perennial shrubs or ground covers, to 3 ft. (90 cm) tall and 24–36 in. (60–90 cm) wide, depending on cultivar. Opposite, smooth, green, lance-s haped, pointed leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, with pale green, veined undersides.
Iris Planting Guide // How to Plant and Divide Bearded Iris Rhizomes // Northlawn Flower Farm
FAQ
How do you care for Aaron’s beard plant?
What kind of fertilizer for St John’s wort?
Is Aaron’s Beard the same as St John’s Wort?
Is Aaron’s beard invasive?