The 9 Best Fertilizers of 2023

We spent hours researching the best fertilizers on the market, evaluating products based on the NPK ratio (the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), feed duration, application type, ease of use, and overall effectiveness. No matter where you’re doing your planting for the season, be sure you have the right kind of fertilizer to ensure your plants, lawn, or flowers thrive.

Lawns, flowers, trees, shrubs, and garden plants all need proper nutrients in order to grow and stay healthy. “There are many options available when it comes to fertilizing your lawn and garden,” says Liz Will, a master gardener, garden coach, and author of the blog Learn To Grow Gardens. “Having a long-term plan in mind, and knowing any potential deficiencies in your soil, can help you purchase the right type of fertilizer for your needs.” From fast-acting synthetic formulas to organic fertilizers that slowly release nutrients for months at a time, there are several types of fertilizers to choose from—all dependent on your specific gardening needs.

Best Overall

Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Fertilizer

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What We Like

• Contains organic matter to enrich the soil

• Increases root mass

• Can be used on many types of plants

What We Don't Like

• Pungent scent may attract dogs

• Must be reapplied during the growing season

Jobe's Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer can be used to treat a wide variety of plants, making it the most versatile option on this list. With a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) ratio of 4-4-4, it can be used in vegetable gardens, flowers, trees, shrubs, and houseplants. The addition of microorganisms improves soil quality, increases root mass, and encourages plant growth. 

This fertilizer is 100 percent organic, and all of its ingredients have been verified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved in the growing and creation of certified organic products. While it is safe to use around children and pets, the pungent scent of this formula may attract dogs. You may want to monitor your pets to prevent them from digging around in it. 

Jobe's Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer comes in a resealable bag for easy storage, and it’s available in several sizes, including a 4- and 16-pound bag. This granular formula should be mixed with soil before planting. Note that this product needs to be applied every four to eight weeks throughout the growing season. 

Price at time of publish: $44

NPK Ratio: 4-4-4 | Feed Duration: Reapply every four to eight weeks | Application Type: Granular

Best for Plants

Miracle-Gro Water-Soluble All Purpose Plant Food

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What We Like

• Cost-effective

• Easy to mix and use

• Feeds up to 2,200 square feet

• Won’t burn plant roots

What We Don't Like

• Formula must be kept dry or clumping can occur

• Must be reapplied frequently

If you want to grow bigger, healthier plants, Miracle Gro’s All Purpose Plant Food is an excellent choice. It comes in a resealable, waterproof bag, and includes a measuring scoop for precise application. The water-soluble solution can go directly into your watering can, making it easy to feed container plants. If you’re treating a larger outdoor garden, it’s probably best to apply it with a garden feeder. This versatile formula can be used on all types of flowers as well as vegetables, houseplants, trees, and shrubs.

A 5.5-pound bag of this Miracle-Gro fertilizer will feed up to 2,200 square feet. This solution is very cost-effective because you can mix the exact amount you need. Keep in mind that it needs to be applied pretty frequently—once every two weeks for best results. According to the manufacturer, this mineral-based formula won’t burn the roots of your plants, if used as directed. Be sure to keep the powdered formula dry during storage, otherwise, clumping may occur.

Price at time of publish: $19

NPK Ratio: 24-8-16 | Feed Duration: Reapply every two weeks | Application Type: Water-soluble granular

Best for Vegetables

Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula: Big Bloom, Grow Big, Tiger Bloom

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What We Like

• Includes three liquid fertilizers

• Provides essential nutrients throughout the growth cycle

• Delivers incredibly fast results

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

• Must be applied in stages

This comprehensive trio from Fox Farm fertilizes plants throughout all stages of the growth cycle. As the name suggests, the Grow Big formula promotes a more abundant bounty in the early growth stages. You’ll want to apply the Tiger Bloom when you first notice buds or flowering. Tiger Bloom is an extremely potent, high-phosphorus fertilizer that will speed up the growth process even more. The Big Bloom concentrate contains earthworm castings, which provide instant nutrition and improve soil conditions. Several users say they saw growth results within days! 

Please note that you can also use Big Bloom at any stage of the growing cycle to repair root systems and improve nutrient absorption. We like that this system is tailored to plants’ and vegetables' specific needs. However, the application process is a bit more complicated because the products must be used in sequence. These formulas are also concentrated, so you’ll have to dilute them based on the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll also have to closely monitor your plant growth to determine the appropriate time to apply each product. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, however, you can even expect your plants to produce vegetables year-round. Not surprisingly, this three-pack is pricier than most standalone fertilizers, but it is a more thorough approach to fertilizing. 

Price at time of publish: $55

NPK Ratio: 6-4-4 (Grow Big), 2-8-4 (Tiger Bloom), 0.01-0.3-0.7 (Big Bloom) | Feed Duration: Not listed | Application Type: Concentrated liquid

Best for Fruits

Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Citrus, Avocado, Mango Plant Food

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What We Like

• Specially formulated for citrus trees

• Easy to distribute

• Non-burning formula

What We Don't Like

• Requires multiple applications per year

• Needs to be worked into the soil before watering

Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Citrus contains many essential nutrients for ample fruit production, including potassium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur. This granular fertilizer can be used on new or existing in-ground citrus, mango, and avocado trees. While this fertilizer can be applied to other citrus trees, it may not be the best for other fruits like berries. This formula is very easy to apply: All you need to do is sprinkle 1.75 tablespoons per 4 square feet underneath the tree, avoiding contact with the trunk and foliage. Use a rake or shovel to work the fertilizer into the surface of the soil before watering. 

This formula comes in a 4.5-pound container with a spout at the top for easy dispensing. Note that this product will need to be applied every three months during the growing season. Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed Citrus contains chemical ingredients, which produce fast results, but also run the risk of burning the lawn or harming the environment. According to the manufacturer, however, this fertilizer is guaranteed not to burn when applied as directed. 

Price at time of publish: $20 

NPK Ratio: 8-2-10 | Feed Duration: Reapply every three months | Application Type: Granular

Best for Trees

BioAdvanced Tree and Shrub Feed and Protect

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What We Like

• Contains nutrients and pesticides

• Easy to mix and apply

• Can kill 40+ insects

• Prevents new infestations for up to a year

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

• Should not be used on edible plants

BioAdvanced is specially formulated to treat trees and shrubs, providing a mix of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for vital nutrition. The slow-release formula promotes healthy soil and moves systemically from roots to branch tips. It’s also a highly effective pesticide that can kill over 40 types of insects, including aphids, leafminers, and borers, which can be deadly to trees and other vegetation. Just one application will prevent new infestations for up to a year. 

BioAdvanced Tree and Shrub comes in a concentrated formula, which needs to be mixed with water before application. While it could be applied with a sprayer, it’s recommended that you mix it in a large bucket or watering can to apply directly on tree and shrub roots. Since this formula contains insecticides, it is not recommended for use on edible plants. This product is a lot more expensive than other options, but it does double duty as a fertilizer and pesticide, which could save you money on professional tree care. 

Price at time of publish: $79

NPK Ratio: 2-1-1 | Feed Duration: Apply once every 12 months | Application Type: Concentrated liquid

Best for Lawns

Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed

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What We Like

• Safe for all grass types

• Keeps grass green and lush

• Crowds out weeds by creating thicker grass

What We Don't Like

• Must be watered in after spreading

• Does not contain weed killer

If you want to keep your lawn green and healthy, Scotts Turf Builder UltraFeed is the way to go. With a NPK ratio of 40-0-5, this nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be used on all types of grass–centipede to Bermuda to St. Augustine. Since this formula works to thicken grass, it helps to crowd out weeds as well. However, it's important to note that it doesn’t contain any weed killers or insecticides, which means you’ll have to treat those problems separately. 

For best results, this granular fertilizer should be applied with a spreader and lightly watered afterward. Scotts long-lasting, low-maintenance formula sets it apart from the competition: Each application feeds your lawn for up to six months, and it doesn’t need to be reapplied in most parts of the U.S. during the growing season. A 20-pound bag covers up to 4,000 square feet of lawn, giving you plenty of bang for your buck. 

Price at time of publish: $43

NPK Ratio: 40-0-5 | Feed Duration: Up to six months | Application Type: Granular

Best Organic for Lawn

Espoma Spring Lawn Booster

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What We Like

• Organic formula

• Promotes greener grass

• Contains to protect against disease

• Covers up to 5,000 square feet

What We Don't Like

• Not ideal for St. Augustine or centipede grasses

• May take weeks to see results

This Espoma fertilizer is made with feather meal and pasteurized poultry manure, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer formula that results in greener grass. It has an NPK ratio of 8-0-0, which promotes early-season lawn growth, and it also contains 3 percent calcium to protect lawns from disease. The formula is available in a 30-pound bag and can feed up to 5,000 square feet of lawn. Plus, the granular application is a breeze. 

According to the manufacturer, it’s best to apply this fertilizer in February, March, or April for cool-season grasses, and in January or February for warm-season grasses. Please note that this formula doesn’t contain potassium, so it may need to be supplemented with a potassium-rich formula late in the growing season if you have St. Augustine. And we do not recommend this formula for centipedegrass, as it prefers a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen percentage. Since this is an organic formula, it may take a few weeks to see results. On the plus side, it's safe to use around children and pets.  

Price at time of publish: $55

NPK Ratio: 8-0-0 | Feed Duration: Up to two months | Application Type: Granular

Best for Indoor Plants

Espoma Organic Plant Tone

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What We Like

• Can be used year-round on indoor plants

• Non-burning formula

• Slow-release formula feeds for up to 6 months

• Suitable for flowers, vegetables, trees, and grass

What We Don't Like

• Can have a strong organic odor when first applied

Organic fertilizers can be a safer alternative to other formulas, especially if you’re using them to feed indoor plants that are around kids and pets.  Espoma Organic Plant Tone is enhanced with bio-tone beneficial microbes for healthy plant growth. It’s also one of the most user-friendly fertilizers in our roundup. This slow-release formula feeds for up to six months, and it is ready to use without any mixing required. Since organic fertilizers are less potent, it reduces the risk of burning plants and grass from over-fertilization.

Espona can be used on indoor plants year-round. In addition to houseplants, you can apply this fertilizer to vegetables and flowers during the growing season, and on trees and shrubs in the spring and fall. We also appreciate that the bag has detailed instructions for specific doses. Like many organic formulas, this fertilizer may have a very strong odor. However, it should not be so bothersome indoors when used in smaller amounts. 

Price at time of publish: $15

NPK Ratio: 5-3-3 | Feed Duration: Up to six months | Application Type: Granular