Banana peel fertilizer is a popular homemade mixture due how easy it is to acquire the ingredients and the simple process to make it. So if you happen to have some banana peel fertilizer and are now wondering how often you should use it, you are in the right place.
You should use banana fertilizer every 1-2 weeks as needed. Banana peel fertilizer can help revitalize plants but using it daily can lead to overwatering and too much potassium in the soil. Depending on the plants, this can result in dead plants, so it’s best to apply it infrequently.
In the rest of this article, I will discuss the benefits of this fertilizer, when to use it and which plants enjoy it. I will also share details on how to make it at home, and answer a few frequently asked questions about using banana peel fertilizer. So, if you want to learn more about this fertilizer, read on.
The Benefits of Using Banana Peel Fertilizer
Every fertilizer contains various nutrients which it adds to the soil. Hence, it’s essential to understand banana peel fertilizer’s health benefits for your plants. This information will help you determine when to apply it to your plants.
The pros of using banana peel fertilizer on your plants are as follows:
- Helps plants break down nutrients in the soil.
- Aids in the distribution of nutrients throughout the plant’s system.
- It’s completely organic and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.
- Prevents blossom end rot in tomato plants.
So as you can see, there are a couple of great benefits to using this easy-to-make fertilizer. Plus, as I previously stated, it’s practically free to make. Simply set aside some old banana peels and locate a sturdy storage container like a jar.
When Should You Use Banana Peel Fertilizer?
Banana peel fertilizer has several benefits if used correctly. Plants need potassium to thrive; however, each plant will prefer to have different amounts. So when should you use banana peel fertilizer?
You should use banana peel fertilizer if your plants need extra nutrients. Plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers benefit most from this type of fertilizer since they don’t need much nitrogen to grow. However, most plants will benefit from small amounts of this fertilizer as well.
You can also apply banana peel fertilizer to trees and shrubs. When using this sort of fertilizer, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your plants for signs of too much potassium. If your plants are struggling with the fertilizer, you may notice signs of discoloration or stunted growth.
The best way to prevent this sort of reaction is to test your soil. You can easily acquire a test kit for your soil and you will be able to tell what nutrients your soil is lacking. That way, there is no guessing when to add fertilizers or whether your fertilizer has started to dissipate.
If you are looking for a good soil test kit I recommend using Luster Leafs Soil Test Kit (available on Amazon.com). This kit performs rapid tests and you can perform multiple tests. It’s a great kit for beginners since it has easy to follow instructions.
Which Plants Like Banana Peel Fertilizer?
Every plant is different and will therefore have unique preferences regarding nutrients. Therefore, when adding a new fertilizer to your plants, it’s essential to check that it’s compatible with your plant. So, which plants like banana peel fertilizer?
Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, roses, ivy, and many varieties of house plants like banana peel fertilizer due to its high potassium content. Potassium aids plants in moving nutrients and water throughout the plant’s tissue. This helps to regulate the plant’s rate of photosynthesis.
Plants like succulents can also benefit from this fertilizer in small amounts. Ultimately, most plants will enjoy a little banana peel water; just be careful not to overload them with potassium. This fertilizer is potent, so you will want to be careful.
How To Make Banana Peel Fertilizer
Now that you know about the benefits and which plants love this fertilizer, it’s time to learn how you can make this very simple fertilizer at home. So let’s get started.
You will need:
- Banana peels
- A jar with a lid
- Water
The steps for making homemade banana peel fertilizer:
- Fill your selected container or jar with banana skins. How many you use is up to you; the more skins, the more potent your fertilizer will be. However, you can also make a small batch if you don’t have enough skins for a larger one.
- Add water. Fill the container until all the banana skins have been fully submerged. Be sure to leave a little air at the top of the jar or container.
- Leave to sit for 10-15 days before removing peels. Once enough time has passed, fish the peels from the jar. At this point, the liquid should be slightly yellow in color and ready to use.
- Enjoy your banana peel fertilizer. You can use this mixture by placing it in a spray bottle or pouring it directly onto your plant’s soil.
As I promised, this fertilizer is extremely easy to make and can significantly improve your plant’s health.
If you are a visual learner, I recommend checking out Project Diaries’ video on making this banana peel fertilizer. Their video also goes over a few other methods for using bananas in homemade fertilizers, and they do a great job of walking you through all the processes.
Is Banana Peel Fertilizer Good for Houseplants?
A common question regarding banana peel fertilizer is how well house plants will react to it. So what’s the answer? Is banana peel fertilizer also good for houseplants?
Banana peel fertilizer is good for houseplants when used in moderation. Too much fertilizer can result in an overabundance of potassium which can cause the plants to become nitrogen deficient. The side effects of this deficiency are stunted growth, discoloration, and red-tinted veins in leaves.
As you can see, houseplants can also greatly benefit from this fertilizer, provided you don’t end up over watering them or using too much on them. Different plants may be more tolerant of this fertilizer, so do a quick google search before adding it to their pot.
Does Banana Water Help All Plants?
Finally, it’s time to discuss whether this fertilizer helps all plants or is better suited for plants like tomatoes, peppers, and roses. Is banana water fertilizer suitable for all plant types?
Banana water does not help all plants. Many plants require specific nutrients which are found in regular fertilizers or compost. Banana peel compost lacks many vital nutrients, offering mainly potassium. This is great for some plants, but others prefer high nitrogen fertilizers.
So long as you don’t go crazy with it, all plants should do fine with a bit of banana peel fertilizer. However, all plants will still need soil with rich nutrients and fertilizer with a good amount of nitrogen to thrive properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions regarding banana peel fertilizer.
Will Banana Peel Fertilizer Attract Bugs?
Banana peel fertilizer will attract bugs. Bugs love the smell of rotting fruit and will be attracted to your banana peel water. However, because you have turned your fertilizer into a liquid, pests will hardly bother your plants so long as you aren’t using it daily.
Do Tomato Plants Like Banana Peels?
Tomato plants do like banana peels. This is because tomatoes thrive when presented with a high potassium fertilizer such as banana peel fertilizer. This type of fertilizer contains relatively little nitrogen, but tomato plants don’t require as much nitrogen to thrive.
How Long Do Banana Peels Need To Soak?
Banana peels need to soak for 10-15 days before you can remove them from your fertilizer water. This will ensure that the water has had enough time to soak up all the banana peels’ nutrients. Afterward, you can add the peels to your compost pile or discard them.
Conclusion
How often you use banana peel fertilizer is entirely up to you and the needs of your plants. Plants like tomatoes and peppers will benefit from the fertilizer more often than houseplants that may enjoy a drink of it infrequently.
Whenever you use a new fertilizer on your plants, it’s best to start out small and keep an eye on how they tolerate it.
If you’d like to learn more on how to fertilize your plants, you could check this article out: How to Fertilize Indoor & Outdoor Plants (Ultimate Guide)
