Plant Food Contents

Plant food, also known as fertilizer, is often beneficial for maintaining and improving overall plant vitality. The composition of plant food varies by brand and type of plant being treated, so always research which product is best for your particular gardening needs.

Basic Contents

• Plant foods vary based on their composition. Most plant foods are composed of at least three fundamental ingredients: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Nitrogen encourages growth of foliage, phosphorous promotes healthy roots, and potassium prevents disease and encourages flower and fruit growth.

Composition Variations

• The composition of plant food will affect your plants. Always check the ratio of these three ingredients, which is usually listed on the product label in the following manner: 8:7:6. The first number tells you the nitrogen content; the second is the amount of phosphorous, and the third is potassium.

Other Ingredients

• Some plant foods may include other ingredients for more specialized use. Common contents may include calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, zinc and boron.