Comparison: Best Fish Fertilizer Gallon (Updated | Dec 1st)
If you’re looking to give your garden a natural boost, you’ve probably heard about fish fertilizer—but with so many options out there, how do you know which gallon is truly the best? We’ve done the digging (and the smelling) so you don’t have to. Let’s dive into the world of fish fertilizers and find your garden’s perfect match.
- Best for wintergreen fresh: Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer 5-1-1 Concentrate 1 Gallon (Packaging may vary)
- Best for omri certified: Alaska Fish Fertilizer OMRI Listed 5-1-1
- Best for cold-processed fresh: Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer 2-4-1
- Best for seaweed bloom boost: Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer 2-3-1 (Gallon)
- Best for cold-pressed yield: 1 Gallon Organic Fish Emulsion Fertilizer for Plants – Ideal Liquid Fish Fertilizer for Plants
- Best for salmon omega boost: Bloom City Organic Wild Fish Fertilizer and Plant Supplement
- Best for fish-kelp soil: GS Plant Foods Liquid Fish & Kelp Fertilizer (1 Gallon) – Organic Material Review Institute Listed Natural Plant Food for Home Gardens
- Best for fast-acting phosphorus: Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers Organic Liquid Fish & Kelp Concentrate – Plant Food for Vegetable Gardens and Flower Beds – Makes up to 32 Gallons 2-4-1
- Best for vitamin-rich organic: CENTRAL GARDEN BRANDS 100099247 Fish Emul Fertilizer
- Best for balanced 2-3-1: GS Plant Foods Liquid Fish Fertilizer – Organic Material Review Institute Listed (1 Gallon) – Natural Hydrolyzed Fish Fertilizer for Gardens
Product Comparison: Best Fish Fertilizer Gallon
Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer 5-1-1 Concentrate 1 Gallon (Packaging may vary)
- Will Not Burn
- Great for all plants
- Deodorized with Natural Wintergreen
- 5-1-1 fertilizer is an excellent source of organic plant nutrients
- Fish Fertilizer
Alaska Fish Fertilizer OMRI Listed 5-1-1, 115 oz
- Fish-based fertilizer for use in vegetable, fruit, and flower gardens
- Excellent for use on flowers, trees, and other plants
- OMRI listed
- For organic gardening
- Great for all indoor and outdoor plants
- NPK 5-1-1 fish emulsion fertilizer
- Fish has been used as a natural source of plant nutrients for centuries
- Easy to use, just mix with water
Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer 2-4-1, Gallon
- An organic fertilizer made from fresh North Atlantic fish
- Made by a unique cold process that protects the vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and growth hormones
- Contains all the micro and macro nutrients naturally found in fish
- The nitrogen and other nutrients are chelated, so they are readily available for plants consumption
- The fish proteins and oils are retained and the fertilizer has no unpleasant odor
Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer 2-3-1 (Gallon)
- Grow a beautiful vegetable garden
- Flowers and foliage will be stronger and more colorful
- Blooms will be more plentiful, fragrant and longer lasting
- Easy to mix and apply by hand, sprayer, or drip line
1 Gallon Organic Fish Emulsion Fertilizer for Plants – Ideal Liquid Fish Fertilizer for Plants, Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables, 2-3-1 NPK – Sustainably Sourced and Hydrolyzed for Steady Growth
- ORGANIC FISH EMULSION FERTILIZER – Our liquid fish fertilizer is made from sustainably sourced fish emulsion and we use up all the parts that would otherwise go to waste. Using an environmentally conscious method, ingredients are refined fresh and 100% cold pressed to help retain all of the nutrients, vitamins, and amino acids needed to grow healthy plants.
- GROW PLANTS NATURALLY – This wonderfully organic alternative to synthetic fertilizer contains a 2-3-1 NPK ratio perfect for light and frequent applications. Promotes steady, healthy plant development throughout the growing season.
- ENRICHES SOIL – Helps build a strong foundation for your organic garden to thrive on! Use as an effective soil drench to improve fertility, structure, and encourage the growth of beneficial microorganisms like fungi in your garden’s soil.
- PRODUCE MORE – Get the most out of your fertilizer and your garden! This organic garden fertilizer helps to increase crop yields and flower blooms. Gentle enough to use as a foliar spray makes this the perfect fish fertilizer for plants, flowers, and vegetables.
- SMELL THE DIFFERENCE – This fertilizer smells like fish because it’s made from fish! Crafted with high-quality concentrated and undiluted hydrolyzed fish emulsion each bottle gives off a pungent fishy aroma. When compared, we see it like this – if it doesn’t smell, then it’s not real fish!
Bloom City Organic Wild Fish Fertilizer and Plant Supplement, Great for Roots and Soil, Made from Sustainable Salmon, Gallon (128 oz)
- FROM SUSTAINABLE ALASKAN SALMON: Great for Soil and Plants, for indoor and outdoor use.
- CONTAINS SALMON EMULSION AND SALMON OIL: Very high in omega 3 Fatty Acids for Plants. More Amino Acids than any other brand.
- SMELLS LIKE FISH: You know this is the good stuff, because is really really smells like ocean and fish.
- HIGHEST QUALITY, MOST POTENT, BEST VALUE, BIGGEST YIELD: Bloom City’s ingredients are better for plants, better for you, and better for the planet. Simply the best choice for the conscientious grower.
- FORMULATED AND MADE IN THE USA: Designed by botanists and plant chemists in Seattle, Washington. Bloom City chooses only the highest quality ingredient sources and manufacturing methods to create the world’s best craft growing nutrient systems.
GS Plant Foods Liquid Fish & Kelp Fertilizer (1 Gallon) – Organic Material Review Institute Listed Natural Plant Food for Home Gardens, Lawns, and Vegetables
- ORGANIC MATERIALS REVIEW INSTITUTE LISTED FOR TRUSTED GARDEN CARE Certified by OMRI for use in organic growing, GS Plant Foods Liquid Fish & Kelp Fertilizer delivers reliable, natural nutrition for vegetables, lawns, flowers, and shrubs.
- SEA-AND-SOIL BASED NUTRITION Made from North Atlantic seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) and fresh fish hydrolysate, this liquid concentrate provides essential nutrients and trace minerals that help support healthy soil and plant development.
- IMPROVES SOIL MICROBIOLOGY & NUTRIENT UPTAKE Supports a thriving soil ecosystem that promotes strong root systems and efficient nutrient absorption — the foundation for resilient, productive plants.
- EASY-TO-USE CONCENTRATE FOR ALL PLANTS Mix 2 oz per gallon of water and apply as a foliar spray or soil drench every 2–4 weeks. Safe for use on vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, turf, and houseplants.
- MADE IN THE USA – SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED Proudly produced by GS Plant Foods as a licensed fertilizer manufacturer. No synthetic chemicals, additives, or fillers — just natural ingredients formulated for healthy home gardens and hobby farms.
Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers Organic Liquid Fish & Kelp Concentrate – Plant Food for Vegetable Gardens and Flower Beds – Makes up to 32 Gallons 2-4-1, 32 oz
- Fast‑acting liquid formula: Perfect for foliar feed or soil drench applications, supporting quick absorption and growth stimulation.
- Stimulates overall plant vigor: High phosphorus aids flowering and fruiting, while nitrogen supports lush foliage and root development.
- Organic & soil‑friendly: Helps promote beneficial microbial activity and sustainable soil health due to its fish and kelp base
- Versatile application rates: For general garden use: ¼–½ cup per gallon of water; for containers: 2–4 Tbsp per gallon; for houseplants: 2 Tbsp per gallon, repeated every 2–4 weeks depending on growth stage
- Watch out for odor: While extremely effective, many users report a strong fish-like odor characteristic of fish emulsions—though it typically subsides quickly and doesn’t linger long indoors
CENTRAL GARDEN BRANDS 100099247 Fish Emul Fertilizer, 1 Quart
- Promotes healthy plant growth with 11 vitamins
- Can be used on all indoor and outdoor plants
- 100-percent organic
- Stimulates microorganisms
- Does not burn
GS Plant Foods Liquid Fish Fertilizer – Organic Material Review Institute Listed (1 Gallon) – Natural Hydrolyzed Fish Fertilizer for Gardens, Lawns & Container Growing
- Organic Materials Review Institute Listed for Organic Production Approved as GS Plant Foods Organic Liquid Fish Concentrate 2-3-1. Suitable for organic growing under OMRI and NOP standards.
- Balanced Nutrient Formula (2-3-1) Provides primary nutrients from hydrolyzed fish for sustained plant nutrition and soil health.
- Versatile Garden Use: Ideal for vegetables, lawns, flowers, shrubs, trees, fruit, and container plants when used as directed.
- Simple Application: Mix 4 oz per gallon of water for most uses. Apply generously to soil or as a foliar feed until leaves are wet.
- Florida Licensed Manufacturer: Produced by GS Plant Foods, LLC (License F003717). 1 Gallon liquid fertilizer (8.9 lb).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What NPK ratio is best for general garden use and how do the listed products compare?
For most vegetable and flower gardens a balanced 2‑3‑1 or 5‑1‑1 ratio works well, providing steady nitrogen for foliage and enough phosphorus for blooms. Alaska Fish Emulsion (5‑1‑1) and Neptune’s Harvest (2‑4‑1) offer higher nitrogen, while GS Plant Foods and Down To Earth use a 2‑3‑1 blend that’s gentler for frequent feeding. Choose the ratio that matches your plant’s growth stage and desired yield.
How do fish‑based fertilizers differ from synthetic fertilizers in terms of plant health?
Fish fertilizers supply organic macro‑ and micronutrients, amino acids, and growth hormones that improve root development and soil microbiology, whereas synthetic products deliver only isolated nutrients. Products like Neptune’s Harvest use a cold‑process to retain vitamins and enzymes, boosting plant vigor and resilience. Over time, organic fish feeds also enhance soil structure and moisture retention.
Which gallon‑size fish fertilizer gives the best value for money?
Alaska Fish Emulsion (5‑1‑1) and Neptune’s Harvest (2‑4‑1) both provide a full gallon at comparable pricing, but Neptune’s Harvest includes a cold‑processed formula that retains more nutrients, offering higher nutrient density per ounce. GS Plant Foods adds kelp for extra trace minerals, adding value for growers seeking a combined fish‑and‑kelp blend. Consider the nutrient concentration and any added ingredients when calculating cost per nutrient.
Is odor a concern with fish emulsions, and which brands minimize the smell?
All fish fertilizers have a characteristic fishy scent, but some are deodorized or masked. Alaska Fish Emulsion mentions a natural wintergreen deodorizer, reducing the pungency, while Neptune’s Harvest advertises a no‑odor formula that retains nutrients. If indoor use is planned, opting for a deodorized product like Alaska’s can make the experience more pleasant.
Do I need an OMRI‑listed fish fertilizer for organic gardening?
Yes, OMRI‑listed products such as Alaska Fish Fertilizer (115 oz) and GS Plant Foods Liquid Fish & Kelp are certified for organic production, ensuring they meet USDA organic standards. Using OMRI‑listed fertilizers helps maintain organic certification for your garden and provides assurance of ingredient purity. Non‑listed products may still be organic but lack the official certification.
How does the addition of kelp or seaweed improve the performance of fish fertilizers?
Kelp and seaweed contribute natural hormones, micronutrients, and trace minerals that enhance nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. GS Plant Foods and Down To Earth combine fish hydrolysate with kelp, delivering a broader spectrum of nutrients that support both root growth and flowering. This synergy can lead to stronger, more resilient plants compared to fish‑only formulas.
What are the key differences between Alaska Fish Emulsion and Neptune’s Harvest formulations?
Alaska Fish Emulsion offers a 5‑1‑1 NPK ratio with a wintergreen deodorizer and focuses on a high nitrogen boost, ideal for rapid foliage growth. Neptune’s Harvest provides a 2‑4‑1 ratio and uses a cold‑process to preserve vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes, making it better suited for overall plant health and bloom production. Additionally, Neptune’s Harvest emphasizes a no‑odor experience, whereas Alaska relies on scent masking.
How should I apply a gallon of fish fertilizer for the best results?
Dilute the fertilizer according to label directions—typically 2‑4 oz per gallon of water for soil drench or foliar spray, applied every 2‑4 weeks. For container plants, use a lower concentration (2‑4 Tbsp per gallon) to avoid over‑feeding. Always water the soil first, apply the diluted solution evenly, and repeat during the active growing season for consistent nutrient availability.