Can You Use Tomato Fertilizer on Other Plants?

Tomato plants require a lot of nutrients in order to grow and produce fruit, which is why tomato fertilizers are formulated to meet their specific needs. But what about other plants? Can you use tomato fertilizer on them? The answer is both yes and no, depending on the type of plant.

What's in Tomato Fertilizer?

Tomato fertilizers typically contain a high percentage of nitrogen, which helps plants produce green leaves and sturdy stems. They also contain phosphorus, which encourages root growth and flowering, and potassium, which helps plants resist disease and stress. Trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur may also be included.

Plants That Can Benefit from Tomato Fertilizer

Some plants that are related to tomatoes, such as peppers, eggplants, and potatoes, have similar nutrient requirements and can benefit from the use of tomato fertilizer. These plants are members of the Solanaceae family, and they all need plenty of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to produce healthy crops.

In addition, other vegetable plants such as cucumbers, squash, and melons can also benefit from tomato fertilizer. These plants require a similar balance of nutrients as tomatoes do, and may benefit from a high-nitrogen fertilizer during the early stages of growth, followed by a balanced fertilizer as they mature.

Plants That Shouldn't Use Tomato Fertilizer

Other plants, however, are not suited to tomato fertilizer. These include flowers, herbs, and some fruit trees. While these plants do need nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, they require them in different ratios than tomatoes do.

For example, flower plants need a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen, as this encourages them to produce large, showy blooms. Most fruit trees prefer a balanced fertilizer that contains micronutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

When to Use Tomato Fertilizer

Even for plants that can benefit from tomato fertilizer, it's important to use it at the right time. Nitrogen is important during the vegetative stage of growth, when plants are putting on leaves and stems. However, too much nitrogen can delay flowering and fruiting, so it's important to switch to a balanced fertilizer when plants start to produce buds or fruit.

Too much fertilizer can also cause problems like burned leaves, stunted growth, and poor fruit quality. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package carefully and apply the fertilizer only as directed. It's also a good idea to test your soil periodically to make sure you're not over or under-fertilizing your plants.

The Bottom Line

Tomato fertilizer can be a good choice for certain plants, but it's important to be aware of their specific nutrient requirements and use the fertilizer appropriately. Too much of a good thing can cause more harm than good, so always read the label and use fertilizer in moderation.