Indoor plants have become more than just decor—they're companions, air purifiers, and for many of us, a connection to nature in our urban homes. Whether you're nurturing a sprawling monstera, collecting rare aroids, or simply keeping a few herbs on your kitchen windowsill, proper nutrition is the difference between plants that merely survive and plants that truly thrive.
But here's what most indoor plant parents get wrong: they either overfeed with synthetic fertilisers (causing salt buildup and burnt roots) or underfeed out of fear (leading to pale, weak growth). The answer? A simple, safe, certified organic approach that works with your plants' natural rhythms.
After helping thousands of Australian indoor plant enthusiasts, we've developed an organic fertiliser system that's foolproof, safe for indoor use, and produces remarkably healthy houseplants. Let me share what actually works.
Why Indoor Plants Need Different Fertiliser Strategies
Your indoor plants face unique challenges compared to outdoor gardens:
The Indoor Growing Reality
Limited Root Space: Pots restrict root growth, meaning nutrients get depleted quickly with no natural replenishment.
Controlled Environment: No rain to flush salts, no decomposing leaves adding nutrients, limited beneficial soil microbes cycling nutrition.
Lower Light Levels: Even near windows, indoor light is significantly less than outdoor, meaning slower growth and different nutritional needs.
Year-Round Growth: Unlike outdoor plants with dormancy periods, many indoor tropicals grow continuously, requiring consistent feeding.
Sensitive to Salt Buildup: Synthetic fertilisers leave mineral salts that accumulate in pots, eventually becoming toxic.
This is why certified organic fertilisers are ideal for indoor use—they won't leave harmful salt buildup, and they work gently with your plants' needs.
The Certified Organic Advantage for Indoor Plants
When you're bringing fertiliser inside your home—where you sleep, where your children play, where your pets roam—certification matters even more.
Why We Chose Southern Cross Certification
Every Soil Dynamics product carries Southern Cross Certified Organic status, meaning:
✓ Safe to use indoors without health concerns
✓ No synthetic chemicals or toxic residues
✓ Won't harm pets if they investigate your plants
✓ Genuinely organic ingredients, third-party verified
✓ No harmful fumes or strong chemical smells
When I was pregnant and starting our business, I needed products I could confidently use indoors while growing a baby. Our certification gave me that peace of mind, and it gives you the same assurance.
Your Indoor Plant Fertiliser Rotation
Unlike outdoor gardens where you might feed weekly, indoor plants need a gentler approach with our organic system.
The Every-Watering Method (Recommended)
Feed your indoor plants every single time you water, but at lower concentrations. This provides consistent nutrition without risk of overfeeding.
Base Dilution Rates for Indoor Use:
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Happy Gut Tonic: 10-20ml per 9L water (half outdoor strength)
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The Protein Shake: 10-20ml per 9L water
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Jurassic Juice: 10-20ml per 9L water
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Regenerate Elixir: 5-10ml per 9L water (it's concentrated!)
The Rotation Pattern
Watering 1: Happy Gut Tonic
Watering 2: The Protein Shake
Watering 3: Jurassic Juice
Watering 4: Back to Happy Gut Tonic
Watering 5: The Protein Shake
Watering 6: Regenerate Elixir
Then repeat. Simple, consistent, and foolproof.
How Often is "Every Watering"?
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Thirsty plants (ferns, peace lilies): Every 3-5 days = 1-2 feeds per week
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Average plants (pothos, monstera): Every 5-7 days = 1 feed per week
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Drought-tolerant plants (succulents, snake plants): Every 10-14 days = 1 feed per 2 weeks
See how this naturally adjusts to each plant's needs? Fast-growing thirsty plants get fed more often because they water more often. Slower plants get fed less frequently. Perfect!
Product-by-Product Indoor Guide
Let's break down what each organic fertiliser does for your indoor plants and when to use it.
Happy Gut Tonic (Seaweed Concentrate)
What It Does for Indoor Plants:
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Boosts immunity against indoor pests and diseases
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Improves stress tolerance (temperature fluctuations, low humidity)
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Enhances photosynthesis efficiency in lower light
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Promotes lush, healthy foliage
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Contains natural growth hormones and trace elements
Best For:
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Foliage plants (pothos, philodendron, monstera, ferns)
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Plants showing stress symptoms
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Newly repotted plants (recovery support)
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Plants in low-light conditions
Indoor Application: 10-20ml per 9L water, or approximately 1-2ml per liter. Shake bottle well before use. Can be applied as both soil drench and occasional leaf spray (wipe leaves after if they're dust-prone).
Tip: If your indoor plants look dull or stressed,sprinkel 1- 2 handfuls of Nutreint Rock Star and water it in with the Happy Gut Tonic for 2-3 consecutive waterings to boost them back to health.
The Protein Shake (Fish Emulsion)
What It Does for Indoor Plants:
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Delivers proteins and amino acids for strong growth
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Promotes vibrant, rich green foliage
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Supports new leaf development
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Helps plants recover from damage (pet nibbles, broken stems)
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Provides natural nitrogen in gentle form
Best For:
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Fast-growing plants (pothos, tradescantia, spider plants)
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Plants with pale or yellowing leaves
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Actively growing plants producing new leaves
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Large-leaf tropicals (monstera, bird of paradise)
Indoor Application: 10-20ml per 9L water as soil drench only (don't spray on leaves—fish smell indoors isn't pleasant!). The smell dissipates within hours and its really not that bad!
Indoor Smell Management for those with sensitve noses:
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Apply in morning so smell clears by evening
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Open windows while applying
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Water until liquid just begins to drain from bottom
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Smell disappears completely within a few hours
Most customers tell us they don't mind the brief fish smell because results are so dramatic—bright green growth within days.
Jurassic Juice (Potassium Humate)
What It Does for Indoor Plants:
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Improves potting mix structure and water retention
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Feeds beneficial microbes in your potting soil
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Helps prevent potting mix from becoming hydrophobic
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Enhances nutrient uptake efficiency
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Builds strong root systems
Best For:
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All indoor plants benefit
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Plants in very free-draining mixes
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Preventing potting mix from drying out and repelling water
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Supporting root growth
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Orchids and epiphytes (dilute to 5-10ml per 9L)
Indoor Application: 10-20ml per 9L water as soil drench. Particularly valuable for plants that have been in the same pot for a while, as it refreshes tired potting mix.
Special Use: If your potting mix has become hydrophobic (water runs off surface or through sides without penetrating), use Jurassic Juice at every watering for 3-4 weeks to fix it. Remember you can combine our liquid products so don't stop the schedule just add the Jurassic Juice to wherever you are up to
Regenerate Elixir (Trace Elements)
What It Does for Indoor Plants:
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Provides calcium for strong cell walls and structural support in fact its a little bit like the Nutrient Rock Star but inliquid form
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Delivers full spectrum of trace elements
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Prevents common deficiencies in potting mixes
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Supports flowering in blooming indoor plants
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Strengthens stems and leaves
Best For:
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Flowering indoor plants (orchids, anthuriums, African violets)
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Plants showing deficiency symptoms (brown edges, weak growth)
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Fast-growing plants depleting soil nutrients
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Plants in the same pot for 6+ months
Indoor Application: 5-10ml per 9L water (it's highly concentrated!). This is your "multivitamin" for indoor plants, addressing micro-deficiencies that aren't visible until they become problems.
Indoor Plant-Specific Fertiliser Strategies
Different types of indoor plants have different nutritional needs. Here's how to adjust your approach:
Foliage Tropicals (Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron, Ferns)
Fertiliser Approach:
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Standard rotation works perfectly
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Emphasize Happy Gut Tonic and The Protein Shake for lush leaves
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Apply every time you water
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During active growth (spring/summer): Use upper dilution range (20ml per 9L)
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During slower growth (autumn/winter): Use lower dilution range (10ml per 9L)
Common Issue: Pale new leaves = increase The Protein Shake frequency
Flowering Plants (Orchids, African Violets, Anthuriums, Peace Lilies)
Fertiliser Approach:
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Never skip Regenerate Elixir (calcium essential for blooms)
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Use Protein Shake for vegetative growth
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Switch to more frequent Regenerate Elixir when buds appear
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Continue feeding while blooming (contrary to common advice!)
Common Issue: Buds dropping = increase Regenerate Elixir, ensure consistent watering
Succulents and Cacti
Fertiliser Approach:
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Dramatically lower frequency (only when watering)
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Use half-strength dilutions (5-10ml per 9L)
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Skip Protein Shake entirely (too much nitrogen) and they dont require this
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Focus on Jurassic Juice and Regenerate Elixir
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Only feed during active growth period (spring/summer)
Common Issue: Stretched, pale growth = increase light, not fertiliser
Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Mint, Thyme)
Fertiliser Approach:
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Standard rotation works well
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Emphasize Protein Shake for leafy herbs (basil, parsley)
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Lighter feeding for woody herbs (rosemary, thyme)
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Always safe to eat—certified organic means genuinely safe
Common Issue: Leggy growth = more light needed, not more fertiliser
Fiddle Leaf Figs, Rubber Plants (Ficus Species)
Fertiliser Approach:
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These are heavy feeders—don't be shy
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Standard rotation at upper dilution range
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Consider adding Nutrient Rock Star to potting mix when repotting (1-2 tablespoons per pot) and Coastal Cure at 1 cup per 20lt this will stop drop out of soil
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Extra Protein Shake during active growing season
Common Issue: Lower leaves dropping = natural, but feed well to prevent excessive loss
Repotting with Organic Fertiliser
When you repot indoor plants, you have a golden opportunity to set them up for long-term success with our granular product.
Adding Nutrient Rock Star and Coastal Cure at Repotting
Nutrient Rock Star is our rock mineral fertiliser that slowly releases over 60 trace minerals. Perfect for potted plants!
How to Use:
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Choose pot one size larger than current
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Add drainage layer (optional)
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Mix Nutrient Rock Star adn Coastal Cure into fresh potting mix:
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Small pots (10-15cm): 1-2 tablespoons
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Medium pots (20-25cm): 2-4 tablespoons
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Large pots (30cm+): 1/4 to 1/2 cup
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Repot plant as normal
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Water thoroughly with diluted Happy Gut Tonic (transplant support) as it stimulates root development
Result: Slow-release trace minerals for 6-8 months, meaning your liquid fertilisers work even better as they have a mineral foundation to build on.
When to Repot:
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Spring is ideal (February-April for Perth)
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When roots circle pot bottom
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When potting mix breaks down and drains poorly
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Every 1-2 years for fast growers, 2-3 years for slow growers
Troubleshooting Common Indoor Plant Problems
"My Plant Has Pale, Yellowing Leaves"
Possible Cause: Nitrogen deficiency
Solution: Increase The Protein Shake frequency—use every second watering for 3-4 weeks
Alternative Cause: Root problems (overwatering)
Check: Is soil constantly soggy? If yes, cut back watering, not fertiliser
"Brown Leaf Tips and Edges"
Possible Cause: Salt buildup from tap water or synthetic fertilisers
Solution: Flush pot with plain water (water until it drains freely for 2-3 minutes), then resume organic fertiliser rotation ensure you add some Nutrient Rock Star at this point Organic fertilisers won't cause this problem going forward.
Alternative Cause: Low humidity
Check: Mist plant or use humidity tray alongside organic feeding
"Potting Mix Seems Dry and Water Runs Off"
Possible Cause: Hydrophobic potting mix
Solution: Use Jurassic Juice at every watering for 3-4 weeks. Bottom-water plants (sit pot in water tray for 30 minutes) while treating. if repotting ensure you add teh Coastal Cure to prevent this movign forward
"No New Growth for Months"
Possible Cause: Insufficient light or nutrients
Solution: Move to brighter location AND increase feeding frequency and ensure you add a good dose of Nutreint Rock Star. Even perfect fertiliser can't compensate for insufficient light.
"Lots of Leaves But Plant Looks Weak"
Possible Cause: Too much nitrogen, not enough trace elements
Solution: Skip next 1-2 Protein Shake applications, emphasize Regenerate Elixir for 3-4 weeks to balance nutrition.
"White Crust on Pot or Soil Surface"
Possible Cause: Mineral buildup from tap water
Solution: This is normal. Scrape off crusty layer, top up with fresh potting mix. Continue organic fertiliser—this isn't caused by our products (no salts to build up).
The Indoor Plant Starter Kit
For apartment dwellers and indoor plant enthusiasts, our Foundation Bundle Extra Small is perfect:
Includes Essential Liquids:
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Happy Gut Tonic (500ml)
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The Protein Shake (500ml)
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Jurassic Juice (500ml)
- Regenerate Elixir (500ml)
- Nutrient Rock Star (2kg )
Why Perfect for Indoor Plants:
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Right sizes for indoor use (500ml lasts 3-6- months for typical collection)
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All five core products for rotation
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Save 12% versus buying individually
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Free Organic Gardening Course
For Serious Indoor Plant Collectors: The Foundation Bundle includes all five liquid products plus Nutrient Rock Star for repotting. This covers everything an indoor plant enthusiast needs.
Seasonal Adjustments for Indoor Plants
Even indoors, plants respond to seasonal changes in light and temperature:
Summer (December-February)
What Changes: Brighter light, warmer temperatures, faster growth
Fertiliser Adjustment: Use upper end of dilution rates , feed frequently
Watering: More frequent, means more frequent feeding
Autumn (March-May)
What Changes: Decreasing light, cooling temperatures, slowing growth
Fertiliser Adjustment: Gradually reduce to lower dilution rates
Watering: Less frequent, means less frequent feeding (perfect!)
Winter (June-August)
What Changes: Lowest light levels, coolest temperatures, minimal growth for most plants
Fertiliser Adjustment: Lower dilution rates , skip occasional feeding if plant truly dormant
Watering: Least frequent, therefore least frequent feeding
Exception: Tropical plants in well-heated homes may continue growing actively. Continue feeding if they're producing new leaves.
Spring (September-November)
What Changes: Increasing light, warming temperatures, growth resumes
Fertiliser Adjustment: Gradually increase back to general application rates
Watering: Increasing frequency, means increasing feeding
The beauty of the "feed every watering" approach is it automatically adjusts to seasonal changes. You don't need to remember complex schedules!
Safe for Families, Pets, and You
This deserves emphasis: you're using these products inside your home. Certification matters.
Southern Cross Certified Means:
Safe for Children: Kids can help you water plants without exposure to harmful chemicals. If they touch soil or plants, no concern.
Safe for Pets: Cats investigating your plants? Dogs nosing around pots? Genuinely safe. Our own pets live with plants fed with our system.
Safe for You: No protective equipment needed. No harsh fumes. No skin irritation. Mix fertilisers with bare hands if needed (though we recommend measuring for accuracy).
Safe to Eat: Growing herbs or edible plants indoors? These are the same certified organic products we use on food gardens. Your indoor herbs are genuinely organic.
When I was pregnant, I used these products indoors without any hesitation. Our child grew up helping mix fertiliser and water plants. That's the level of safety certification provides.
Your Indoor Plant Success Checklist
✓ Choose certified organic liquid fertilisers (safe for indoor use)
✓ Set up rotation: of liquids repeat
✓ Dilute to indoor strength ( half outdoor rates)
✓ Feed every time you water (consistent gentle nutrition)
✓ Adjust dilution seasonally (stronger in growing season, lighter in winter)
✓ Add Nutrient Rock Star adn Coastal Cure when repotting and add Nutrient Rock Star every 6 months when plants are looking super stressed (long-term mineral foundation)
✓ Keep notes on what works best for your specific plants
✓ Enjoy healthier, more vibrant indoor plants!
Results You Can Expect
With consistent organic feeding, indoor plant owners typically see:
Week 1-2: Existing leaves look healthier, richer color
Week 3-4: New growth appears, growth rate increases
Week 6-8: Noticeably more vigorous plants, stronger stems
Month 3+: Consistently healthy growth, better pest resistance, impressive plant transformations
The difference between plants fed with our certified organic system versus unfed or synthetically-fed plants is remarkable. Customers send us photos of plants they've brought back from near-death with our fertiliser rotation.
Free Resources for Indoor Plant Success
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Detailed feeding schedules
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Troubleshooting specific problems
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Repotting techniques
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Seasonal care adjustments
Have questions about your specific indoor plant situation? Contact us. We love helping people create thriving indoor jungles!
Transform Your Indoor Plant Collection
Your houseplants deserve the same certified organic nutrition as your outdoor garden. They're living in artificial conditions, completely dependent on you for everything—including proper nutrition.
Don't settle for synthetic fertilisers that leave salt buildup or risk overfeeding. Don't underfeed out of fear and watch pale, weak growth.
Use genuinely certified organic products that are safe for your home, effective for your plants, and simple to use.
Your indoor plants will thank you with lush growth, vibrant colour, and that healthy plant energy that makes a house feel like home.
Soil Dynamics - Certified organic nutrition for your indoor jungle.
