What is NPK Fertilizer? And What Does NPK Do for Plants?

INSIDE: What does NPK stand for? In this comprehensive guide, find out the meaning of NPK, what it does for plants, and how to choose an NPK fertilizer.


When my husband and I moved into our new house, the blank slate backyard became my project.

By spring, I noticed the leaves on some bushes turning yellow. You’d think it’s a nitrogen deficiency, right?

But after some serious digging (pun intended!), I discovered it was iron chlorosis (a lack of available iron) NOT a lack of nitrogen, causing the leaves to turn yellow.

That little adventure taught me a valuable lesson: always get a soil test. It saves you from playing guessing games with your plants.

And when the test results came back, I delved deep into understanding NPK. I was glad I did because this knowledge would soon come in handy.

Walking into the fertilizer aisle of my local garden center, I sighed as I eyed the sea of packages.

With so many choices, it’s hard to decide which one to buy!

If you’ve ever felt that same overwhelm, wondering how to decode those mysterious numbers and letters on fertilizer packages, you’re not alone.

So, if you’re scratching your head about NPK, stick with me. Together, we’ll unlock this gardening mystery.

Heads up: If you buy something after clicking a link in this post, I’ll earn a small commission. I only link to products I’d recommend to my best friend.

woman holding npk fertilizer in her hands in the garden
NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are the main ingredients in most fertilizers.

The letters NPK stand for the three major nutrients that plants need to live and grow – nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Plants need other nutrients like iron, calcium, and even chlorine, but N, P, and K are the big three.

INSIDE: [ENTER INSIDE TEXT HERE]


Heads up: If you buy something after clicking a link in this post, I’ll earn a small commission. I only link to products I’d recommend to my best friend.

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