Home & Garden Garden The 9 Best Organic Fertilizers of 2023 Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Granular Plant Food tops our list. By Arricca SanSone Arricca SanSone Hiram College Georgia Southern University Arricca SanSone is a health and lifestyle writer, specializing in home, kitchen, and gardening. She has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. Learn about our editorial process Updated October 13, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty Images You baby your plants like you treat yourself: No synthetic chemicals and only good-for-you ingredients. Organic fertilizers depend on soil microbes to release macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) gradually over time. Eventually, they improve soil structure, too. You'll see the percent of these nutrients represented in three numbers, called the NPK ratio. When it comes to fertilizers to make your plants greener, there is a dizzying array of choices with different ratios. It’s worth noting that organic fertilizer can be rather stinky because it’s derived from plant and animal sources. The odor usually fades in a few days, but it can attract pets, who may ingest both granular or liquid forms. In fact, organic fertilizers regularly make ASPCA’s list of top 10 pet toxins because they cause vomiting, tummy upset, and seizures. Keep your four-legged family members safe by fencing your garden, not leaving product out where pets have access, and keeping container plants out of reach. Here are our tops picks for the best organic fertilizers for targeted uses: The Rundown Best All Purpose: Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Fertilizer at Walmart Jump to Review Best Starter: Dr. Earth Root Zone Starter Fertilizer at Walmart Jump to Review Best Soil Builder: Wiggle Worm Soil Builder at Walmart Jump to Review Best Liquid: Neptune Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Flowers: Miracle-Gro Blooms Plant Nutrition Granules at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Tomatoes and Vegetables: FoxFarm Happy Frog Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Houseplants: Jobe's Organics Fertilizer Spike All Purpose at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Succulents: Espoma Cactus! Succulent Plant Food at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Grass: Lawnbox Lawn Luxe at Walmart Jump to Review Best All Purpose Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Fertilizer 4.5 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On HorseloverZ.com Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Granular Plant Food tops our list of organic fertilizers because it’s recommended for use on vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees. It can even be used for seed starting. It’s ideal if you only want to keep just one type of fertilizer on hand. This balanced NPK ratio of 4-4-4 can be worked into the soil at planting or applied to existing plants at the drip line. It includes beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms to boost the long-term health of your soil. However, smell can linger indoors, so it may be best for outdoor and well-ventilated spaces. It's backed by a manufacturer guarantee. Price at time of publish: $53 Best Starter Dr. Earth Root Zone Starter Fertilizer View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Drearth.com If you’re planting seeds or moving transplants into the garden or containers, consider using a starter fertilizer. With a NPK of 2-4-2, the slightly higher ratio of phosphorus contributes to root establishment. Dr. Earth, which has been creating organic products since its founding in 1991, composts food grade waste instead of letting it end up in landfills. The company is also a sponsor of the Sustainable Food Trade Association, which promotes socially responsible business practices for the organic food trade. Price at time of publish: $40 Best Soil Builder Wiggle Worm Soil Builder View On Walmart View On Amazon Worm castings are the digested “soil” produced by worm farming or vermicomposting. They provide some macronutrients for leaf growth; in this case, its NPK ratio is 1-0-0. But they also contain micronutrients and beneficial microbes, and improve drainage and soil structure. Best of all, if you’re sensitive to odors (or have pets who like to nibble!), earthworm castings don’t have a strong aroma like other organic fertilizers. They smell like rich, black garden soil. You can use these castings by adding them to the bottom and sides of the holes you dig for planting seeds or transplants, and as side dressing throughout the season. Price at time of publish: $25 Best Liquid Neptune Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon This fertilizer has a NPK ratio of 2-3-1, so it’s a good all-purpose product that many gardeners prefer for its ease of use (you mix it up in a watering can). The company, which started as a wholesale fish distributor in 1965, worked with the state of Massachusetts and local universities to devise a way to utilize fish by-products from the fillet process, rather than allowing the remains to be dumped back into the ocean. As you probably guessed, the product smells strongly of fish, but it dissipates within a day—faster than many other organic products. There’s also nothing for pets to dig up and eat, though they still may nose around the application area. Price at time of publish: $28 Best for Flowers Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Blooms Plant Nutrition Granules View On Walmart View On Amazon With a NPK ratio of 5-7-10, this product is specifically designed to promote heavy blooms and overall plant health. The bottle is made from 25% recycled plastic, and the company launched the Parks for Pollinators program in 2017 to expand pollinator habitats in parks across the country. Work the granules into the soil when planting, or shake on to existing plants. The shaker canister delivers an even amount over the soil surface. Price at time of publish: $25 The 9 Best Deck Boxes, According to a Master Gardener Best for Tomatoes and Vegetables FoxFarm Happy Frog Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer Amazon View On Amazon View On Growershouse.com View On Premierhydroshop.com Heavy feeders such as tomatoes use nitrogen quickly, and this product is formulated to supply plenty, with NPK at a 5-7-3 ratio, as well as calcium to fend off blossom end rot. Blossom end rot is a nutrient deficiency which causes your tomatoes look perfect on top, but then turn ugly black on the bottom. Beneficial fungi also is included to help build healthy soil. Use the granules in containers or in-ground plantings. Price at time of publish: $25 The 6 Best Herb Garden Kits of 2023 Best for Houseplants Jobe's Organics Fertilizer Spike All Purpose Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon Overfeeding houseplants can cause them to develop spindly growth or become more vulnerable to pests and diseases. These pre-measured spikes, with a balanced 4-4-4 formula, make it easy to fertilize properly without having to mix anything. Stick one in the soil of your houseplant's pot (or several for larger pots) for no-mess feeding. The odor is almost non-existent, which makes them a better choice for indoor fertilizing. You’ll use them every eight weeks during the active growing season, which is spring to fall for most houseplants. Price at time of publish: $10 The 8 Best Grow Lights of 2023 Best for Succulents Espoma Cactus! Succulent Plant Food Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon Although succulent plants typically don’t need to be coddled, which is why so many people love them, they can benefit from feeding during their active growth period in the spring or summer. This applicator bottle doses out just what you need to use when watering. While the 1-2-2 NPK formula is on the stinky side, the odor doesn’t linger long. The company’s products are approved for organic use by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and its factory is 100% solar powered with an emphasis on zero waste manufacturing. Price at time of publish: $8 Best for Grass Lawnbox Lawn Luxe Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon Here at Treehugger, we're big fans of lawn alternatives, but if you do have grass to feed, this organic fertilizer will do the trick. With a balanced 7-0-7 ratio of NPK, this granular food is designed for summer fertilization and is pelletized for easy application. It’s safe for pets and kids to walk on immediately after applying, and it greens up lawn without burning grass. Registered with OMRI, the ingredients include soy meal, potash, and humic acid for healthy soil. It does not contain any animal by-products or waste products. Price at time of publish: $38 Final Verdict Our top pick for an all-around good organic fertilizer is Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Granular Plant Food. If you’re looking to build your soil, consider picking up a bag of Wiggle Worm Soil Builder Earthworm Castings. What to Look for in Organic Fertilizer Organic Certification The term “organic” is not regulated for fertilizers, so essentially anyone can put it on the label. Look for products with the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) seal, an independent, nonprofit organization that certifies which products are compliant with USDA organic farming standards. Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer Granular types take longer to break down, while liquid gives a quick nutrient boost. Many gardeners use both types, but make sure you’re not overdoing it. Applying excess fertilizer–even one that’s organic–can pollute water supplies. Get a soil test every three years to monitor what your garden actually needs; your university county coop extension can perform one, typically for about $20 (find yours here). NPK Ratio Different plants have different nutritional needs, but the main ones to pay attention to are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). It’s a good practice to look up the recommended NPK ratio for the plants you want to fertilize, and shop accordingly. Treehugger Tips There are also many things in your kitchen that can serve double-duty as plant fertilizer, from eggshells to banana peels. But before you start dumping coffee grounds onto the closest plant, but you’ll need to learn about the kinds of nutrients the plant species in your garden need and what different kitchen cast-offs offer. Check out our guide to making homemade plant food. Frequently Asked Questions Do you have to buy organic fertilizer? Not necessarily. Composting is a great way to make your own fertilizer. It does take some time and effort, but composting offers huge environmental benefits in terms of building soil, reducing landfill, and even preventing planet-heating greenhouse gas pollution. It can even be done for free.Learn More: How to Compost at Home What is the best natural fertilizer for vegetable gardens? Our choice for vegetables and tomatoes is Happy Frog Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer. However, you can also use a good all-purpose fertilizer for most vegetables, like Jobe’s Organics All Purpose (Treehugger’s top overall pick). If you also compost, working some mature compost into your soil is also a great natural way to fertilize a vegetable garden. Can I make my own liquid organic fertilizer? Yes! Liquid fertilizers can help plants get nutrients quickly. If you already compost, then making compost tea is one of the easiest liquid fertilizers to make yourself. Simply add compost to water and let it sit for a couple of weeks. Then strain out any particles (they can go back in the compost pile) and apply the liquid to plants. This mix is best used on mature plants, and is not ideal for tender seedlings.Learn More: How to Make Organic Liquid Fertilizers Why Trust Treehugger? Author Arricca SanSone has many years of experience writing about homes and gardens. To make this list, she deeply researched the market, considering certifications, reviews, and fertilizer formulas. The 9 Best Greenhouses of 2023