The Agapanthus, which is actually easy to care for, needs sufficient fertilizer in addition to a sunny location to develop its decorative flowers. Various home remedies for fertilizing are also suitable for this purpose. Which ones are available here is shown in the following article.

In a nutshell

  • if flowering fails, it may be due to a nutrient deficiency that needs to be compensated
  • no expensive special fertilizer is required for fertilizing Agapanthus
  • Compost is an excellent fertilizer
  • Homemade fertilizer must contain one of the nutrients phosphorus, potassium or nitrogen
  • various kitchen waste can be used as fertilizer

compost soil

While it's not a direct home remedy, compost soil is ideal for providing agapanthus with the right and important nutrients. If you fertilize Agapanthus directly after the hibernation in spring, this amount of fertilizer is usually sufficient over the summer:

  • Remove the plant from the pot after the winter
  • share or choose a larger vessel
  • mix fresh soil with your own compost
  • Alternatively, use ready-made compost
  • Reinsert African lilies
compost heap in the garden

Tip: If you do not have your own garden with a compost heap, then the trade offers various ready-made compost soils for cheap purchase.

Important nutrients

Various sites advise fertilizing Agapanthus with a complete fertilizer. This contains certain nutrients that should also be contained in a home remedy fertilizer:

  • nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
  • Potassium (K)
  • so-called NPK fertilizer

More home remedies

If the African lily is not to be supplied with a purchased complete fertilizer, then there are various household or kitchen waste products that are wonderfully suitable for this and that can often be found in a mixed compost. The following list provides information about the various home remedies that are well suited to fertilizing agapanthus.

algae

If a pond adorns the garden, then you will find the right fertilizer for many plants here and so also the African lily almost free of charge. Because the algae contain a lot of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Algae are perfect for fertilizing agapanthus.

How to use them as fertilizer:

  • Clean the pond and remove algae
  • do not dispose
  • let dry well
  • place it on a suitable surface
  • ground after drying
  • mix underground

banana peels

Bananas contain a lot of potassium. Plants need this for healthy growth and flowering. The banana peels are also suitable for all flowering plants and the African lilies are also happy about an addition every now and then:

  • crush shells
  • Let the pieces dry well
  • Incorporate dry pieces into soil around plant
  • alternatively soak the shells in water
  • plan several hours for this
  • then strain and use as irrigation water

Notice: Never bury the fresh banana peels in the ground. Because of the moisture and a long decomposition time, mold can quickly form on and in the soil, which is harmful to the plants.

vegetable water

If you cook a lot of vegetables, you should collect the cooking water if it is not used in the finished dish.

Boiling cauliflower

Because the water of many types of vegetables is well suited as a boost for the African lily:

  • cauliflower
  • broccoli
  • cabbage
  • asparagus
  • lots of minerals and nutrients
  • let the water cool down
  • Pour agapanthus with this

Notice: However, if you want to use water that has previously been boiled in to fertilize agapanthus, you should be careful not to add any salt when cooking. Because the salt in the water could harm the plants.

wood ash

Anyone who owns a fireplace or wood-burning stove should not dispose of the ashes but keep them for the African lilies. Because the wood ash is also rich in potassium and can support growth and flowering well:

  • do not use too much wood ash
  • sprinkle thinly on soil
  • penetrates into the soil during the next watering
  • gets to the roots

coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are great for fertilizing many plants, including agapanthus. Because it contains all three important nutrients: potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Coffee grounds in the glass

However, the coffee grounds should not be added directly from the filter to the potting soil:

  • empty filters
  • Let the coffee grounds dry
  • fill into container after drying
  • take it out regularly for fertilization
  • can also be given in liquid form
  • Use ready-brewed coffee for this
  • Mix 1:1 with irrigation water

Tip: So that the soil does not become acidic, the coffee fertilizer should only be applied every three to four weeks. Potted plants in particular are ideally supplied with the liquid fertilizer made from boiled coffee, as the nutrients can be better distributed this way.

potato water

If potatoes are boiled without salt, the water should not be thrown away afterwards, because this is a valuable liquid fertilizer that can supply the African lilies with potassium and other valuable vitamins:

  • let the water cool down
  • mix with water
  • water directly at the roots
  • particularly suitable for potted plants
  • Fertilizer can go straight to the roots

Notice: If you have already fertilized with coffee water or coffee grounds, then the African lily does not need any further fertilizer, for example from potato water. Because then you would over-fertilize agapanthus with potassium, which is contained in both home remedies.

rhubarb leaves

The rhubarb leaves, which contain a lot of potassium and are inedible to humans, can also be used to make a good fertilizer for the African lily in a pot.

Similar to other plant manure, such as nettles or horsetail, an infusion of rhubarb leaves strengthens the plants.

The brew also has the advantage that it can also be used superficially against various pests:

  • Chop the rhubarb leaves
  • top up with cold water
  • alternatively scald with boiling water
  • leave for at least 24 hours
  • strain through a sieve
  • Pour undiluted or diluted with water

Notice: From August you should stop fertilizing your African lily so that it can prepare for hibernation.

frequently asked Questions

Even after fertilizing, my plant does not form flowers, why?

If the plant still does not bloom even after fertilizing, then it may be because it was grown from seed. Then the lily is just too young. Wait until next year, when the decorative blossoms will certainly show up.

When and how should I fertilize my African lilies?

The first fertilization is always done at the time when the plant is allowed to move back outside from its winter quarters. After that, you should ensure regular but economical fertilization, which should be carried out every three to four weeks during the growing season.

Can I water my African lilies with mineral water?

Sparkling or still mineral water is ideal for watering the plants. Because they get the minerals that are in them at the same time. But not every sparkling water is also a mineral water. This is obtained from sources and must also be titled accordingly. Otherwise it is table water that is bottled from the pipes. You should shake the water well before pouring so that it no longer contains any carbon dioxide.

Can I always use the same home remedy for fertilization?

This is not recommended. Because in such a case, it could easily lead to an overdose of various nutrients. It is better if you fertilize the agapanthus more frequently with changing organic fertilizers that you can find in the list. Therefore, you should not only use the potassium fertilizer too often, but often also a mixture of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.

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Garden plants