With these fertilizer spikes, it doesn’t take a green thumb and a huge time commitment to keep your houseplants happy and healthy. Since they deliver a targeted amount of nutrients that last up to two months per spike, you can check one more activity off your plant care to-do list. To buy: $3 for 24 spikes; amazon.com. Simply stick a few Miracle-Gro Plant Food Spikes into your houseplant’s moist soil—a small 3-inch pot only needs two spikes, while a 5-inch pot takes three—and press down until they’re covered in soil. Then the fertilizer sticks will work their magic, only needing to be replaced once a month in the spring and summer or every other month in the winter and fall. The best part? A pack of 24 will cost you just under $3, so it’s likely to be even more cost-effective than traditional water-soluble fertilizer—without any of the extra work of having to mix the formula and fertilize your plants by hand. “I have several houseplants that had stopped flowering, so I put a few of these spikes in the pot,” one reviewer wrote. “Approximately a month after using these spikes, my peace lily had three flowers on it and my African violets plants all got several blooms on them! This worked wonders for my plants that don’t flower also! I noticed my ivy and cactus plants started growing faster and they became more green and healthy looking.” Another reviewer noted how easy Miracle-Gro spikes make maintaining a garden for someone without a natural green thumb. “My father passed away unexpectedly early last year and he had the ultimate green thumb. On the other hand, I water plants to their demise. I received several plants that I wanted to keep alive and to honor my dad,” the reviewer explained. “I have one plant that was looking pitiful. The leaves kept turning yellow and falling off. I followed the instructions and put three spikes in and hoped for the best. I looked at the plant and it looks hopeful now! It’s been about six weeks since I put in the spikes and I am so happy! Dad would be proud!”
