How to Prepare Your Houseplants for Warmer Weather
It’s FINALLY starting to warm up a little bit around here after what felt like the longest, wettest Sacramento winter. As soon as I can feel spring in the air, I like to give my houseplants a little care and spring cleaning. After all, a healthy plant makes prettier home decor! Here’s how I’ll be spending my weekends in April:
1. Shower time
Over the winter, I tend to get a little lax about keeping my houseplants’ leaves clean. Once spring rolls around, I like to take them outside (a few at a time) and give them a little shower with my hose to clean the dust off. Doing this regularly during warmer months can also help to prevent pests like spider mites from making themselves at home in your plants.
2. Pruning
Winter can be pretty hard on houseplants – even indoor ones. They turn a bit brown and crispy when they’re too close to a heater vent, mushy if the soil doesn’t dry out in the cold air, or just lose leaves from lack of light. I like to do a little spring cleaning and remove any dead leaves (making sure to compost), and give my longer & spindly plants a haircut. Trimming plants regularly promotes growth, especially when you clip early on in the growing season. Plus, cuttings can sprout in water and make a great gift!
3. Re-potting & fertilizing
If it’s been a while since you last repotted your houseplants (especially if it’s been a year or more), early spring is a great time to do it. New potting soil includes fresh nutrients and fertilizer, so it’s basically like giving your plant a good meal. I like to use cactus soil for all of my plants because it drains really well. And I throw in a little pumice stone or even orchid bark for the ones that need even better drainage. Note: if your plant isn’t root-bound, you can just freshen up the soil and reuse the same pot! Or if you’ve re-potted within the last 4-6 months, you can also just add some fertilizer to the existing soil – I like these.
4. Update your watering schedule
During the winter – aka months with fewer daylight hours – plants don’t need as much water. As the weather warms up and the sun stays out longer, you’ll likely find that your houseplants need watering more frequently. Pay attention to droopy leaves and make sure to adjust your watering schedule as needed to keep them from drying out to quickly or for too long. If you need a little help determining when to water, I recommend a moisture meter!
I hope these tips help as we move out of winter. And if you need some more customized advice, take a look at my Houseplant Helper consultation!
Happy spring & enjoy the longer days!
