One of the (many) things I don't understand is why someone who strives to use only natural, organic products in caring for their landscape would think that their container gardens or houseplants should be treated any differently. So many people are great about using compost and organic soil amendments in their flower beds, yet dump synthetics on their potted plants. The assumption, I think, is that because potted plants need more fertilizer to grow well, synthetics are the only really effective option. This is a common misconception, and one that I hope to eradicate through this site. Many of us grow houseplants not only to add beauty to our decor, but also to improve our indoor air quality. Yet we mix up some of "the blue stuff" to keep these living air purifiers growing.

Most synthetic houseplant foods contain ammonium phosphate, which provides a decent dose of nitrogen to keep plants green. Which is fine, except that ammonium phosphate also raises the acidity of the soil, which burns plants if you aren't careful about your dosages. Ammonium phosphate can also be irritating to the skin and respiratory system.

So, I've been testing organic houseplant foods in my quest to help you grow a healthier garden, indoors and out. First on my list: TerraCycle All Purpose Plant Food. If you've used TerraCycle, please share your experience in the comments, or, even better, in the forums.