Indoor plants not only beautify your living space but also improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere. Many indoor plants thrive when grown in water, a method known as hydroponics. However, just like soil-based plants, those grown in water need essential nutrients to remain healthy and grow well. Luckily, you don’t need to rely on chemical fertilizers—there are plenty of effective and eco-friendly homemade fertilizers that can provide the necessary nutrients to your indoor plants.
In this guide, we’ll explore various homemade fertilizers that work well for plants grown in water. Whether you’re looking for an easy, natural solution or want to recycle kitchen waste, these options will help keep your indoor garden lush and thriving.
Why Do Indoor Plants in Water Need Fertilizers?
Plants absorb nutrients from water, just as they do from soil. When you grow indoor plants in water, they lack access to the minerals and nutrients typically found in soil. Therefore, it’s essential to supplement the water with fertilizers to provide the essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements like calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Homemade fertilizers for plants in water offer a sustainable way to nourish them without resorting to synthetic chemicals. These natural fertilizers can be made using common household items, making them cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
1. Banana Peel Fertilizer
Banana peels are rich in potassium, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Potassium helps with water regulation, nutrient transportation, and strengthening plant stems. To create a banana peel fertilizer for your water-based plants, you can use a simple method:
How to Make Banana Peel Fertilizer:
- Take the peels from one or two bananas.
- Place them in a jar and cover them with water.
- Let the mixture sit for 24-48 hours to allow the nutrients to leach into the water.
- Strain the liquid and use it as a nutrient solution for your indoor plants in water.
Benefits: Promotes healthy root and stem growth, helps with nutrient absorption.
Tip: You can use this banana peel fertilizer once every two weeks to avoid over-fertilization.
2. Eggshell Water
Eggshells are a great source of calcium, which is crucial for plant development, particularly for strengthening cell walls and preventing nutrient deficiencies. Eggshell water is an easy and natural way to provide calcium to your indoor plants grown in water.
How to Make Eggshell Water:
- Collect the shells from 4-5 eggs and rinse them to remove any residue.
- Crush the eggshells into small pieces.
- Place them in a jar filled with water and let them sit for at least 24 hours.
- Strain the water and use it to refresh your plant water every few weeks.
Benefits: Provides a calcium boost, helps prevent issues like leaf yellowing and weak stems.
Tip: Use eggshell water sparingly, as too much calcium can cause an imbalance in nutrients.
3. Rice Water
Rice water, the liquid left after rinsing or boiling rice, is packed with beneficial nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for healthy plant growth and can be easily absorbed by plants grown in water.
How to Make Rice Water:
- After washing your rice, collect the cloudy water in a container.
- Allow it to cool if you’ve boiled the rice.
- Use this nutrient-rich water to refresh your indoor plants’ water supply.
Benefits: Contains essential nutrients like nitrogen for foliage growth and phosphorus for root development.
Tip: Avoid using rice water with salt or oils, as these can harm the plants.
4. Epsom Salt Solution
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a popular choice for plant care due to its high magnesium content. Magnesium is a crucial component of chlorophyll, which helps plants convert sunlight into energy. Epsom salt also contains sulfur, which supports overall plant health.
How to Make Epsom Salt Fertilizer:
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water.
- Stir well until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Use the solution to water your indoor plants in water once a month.
Benefits: Promotes healthy leaves and improves photosynthesis.
Tip: Be cautious with the concentration. Too much Epsom salt can cause nutrient imbalance, leading to poor plant growth.
5. Aquarium Water
If you have a fish tank, the water from it can serve as an excellent fertilizer for your plants. Aquarium water is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with trace elements that plants need to thrive. The waste from fish breaks down into these essential nutrients, making it a natural fertilizer for plants in water.
How to Use Aquarium Water:
- When changing the water in your aquarium, collect the old water in a container.
- Use this nutrient-rich water to refresh your plants’ water supply.
Benefits: Provides a balanced nutrient mix without the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Tip: Make sure your aquarium water is free from chemicals like chlorine or heavy metals before using it on plants.
6. Compost Tea
Compost tea is another excellent natural fertilizer that can be used for indoor plants in water. It contains a variety of nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that can promote healthy plant growth. Compost tea can be made using kitchen scraps, yard waste, or commercially available compost.
How to Make Compost Tea:
- Fill a bucket or container with compost and add water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Let the mixture steep for 24-48 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the liquid and dilute it with water before using it for your indoor plants.
Benefits: Improves overall plant health and adds beneficial microorganisms.
Tip: Use compost tea once every month to avoid over-fertilization.
7. Molasses Fertilizer
Molasses is a sweet, thick syrup that’s high in potassium and iron. When diluted in water, it can provide nutrients to your indoor plants and promote healthy root development. Molasses also encourages the growth of beneficial microbes, which improve plant health.
How to Make Molasses Fertilizer:
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of unsulfured molasses in 1 gallon of water.
- Stir well and use it to water your plants once every month.
Benefits: Provides potassium for strong stems and helps promote beneficial bacteria.
Tip: Make sure to dilute molasses well, as undiluted syrup can attract pests or cause mold growth.
8. Used Coffee Grounds Water
Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for promoting leafy green growth in plants. While coffee grounds are usually used as compost, they can also be turned into a liquid fertilizer for indoor plants grown in water.
How to Make Coffee Ground Fertilizer:
- Soak used coffee grounds in water for 24 hours.
- Strain the liquid and use it to refresh your plant’s water supply.
Benefits: Provides nitrogen for leaf growth and improves water retention.
Tip: Avoid using too much coffee water, as excess acidity can harm certain plants.
9. Herbal Tea Fertilizer
Herbal teas, such as chamomile or green tea, can be used to nourish indoor plants grown in water. Chamomile, in particular, is known for its antifungal properties, which can help prevent mold and fungal growth in water-based plant systems.
How to Make Herbal Tea Fertilizer:
- Steep an herbal tea bag in warm water for a few hours.
- Let the tea cool, then use it to refresh your plant water.
Benefits: Provides a mild source of nutrients and helps protect plants from fungal infections.
Tip: Herbal teas are gentle fertilizers, making them ideal for sensitive plants.
10. Seaweed Fertilizer
Seaweed is rich in trace elements such as iodine, potassium, and calcium, which are beneficial for plant growth. Seaweed fertilizer can be made using dried or fresh seaweed and is especially useful for plants grown in water.
How to Make Seaweed Fertilizer:
- Soak dried or fresh seaweed in a container of water for 1-2 weeks.
- Strain the liquid and dilute it with water before adding it to your plants’ water.
Benefits: Improves nutrient uptake and enhances root growth.
Tip: Seaweed fertilizer can have a strong odor, so it’s best used in well-ventilated areas.
Homemade fertilizers offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective way to keep your indoor plants healthy and vibrant, especially when grown in water. With the right nutrients, you can ensure that your hydroponic plants thrive, even without soil. By using common household items such as banana peels, eggshells, or aquarium water, you can create nutrient-rich solutions that are both safe for your plants and beneficial for the environment.
FAQs About Homemade Fertilizers for Indoor Plants
Why do indoor plants in water need fertilizer?
Indoor plants in water lack the nutrients provided by soil, so fertilizers supply the essential minerals they need to grow healthy and strong.
Can I use kitchen waste as fertilizer for water-grown plants?
Yes, items like banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds can be turned into liquid fertilizers to nourish your water-based plants.
How often should I fertilize indoor plants in water?
Most homemade fertilizers can be used once every 2-4 weeks, depending on the plant’s needs and the type of fertilizer.
Are there any risks to using homemade fertilizers?
Over-fertilizing can lead to nutrient imbalances, so it’s important to dilute homemade fertilizers and use them sparingly.
What are the best homemade fertilizers for hydroponic plants?
Some of the best options include banana peel water, eggshell water, rice water, and aquarium water, as they provide a good balance of essential nutrients.
