Spring Houseplant Care
by Pamela Kock

Spring is just around the corner! Houseplants, just like outdoor varieties, follow the seasons regarding growth and dormancy. It’s still a bit too early for most of us to get outside and tend the garden, but you can get a head start on your enjoyment of the growing season by caring for your indoor plants.

By February or March, most indoor plants should be displaying signs of new growth. Take a look at your plants. Do you see buds forming, or tiny new leaves sprouting? They’re getting ready to grow, and may require some attention from you in order to get the most out of the next several months. Your plants may need cleaning, re-potting, or trimming. It may also be time to provide your houseplants with more water or fertilizer.

Cleaning

While you’re making a list of spring cleaning chores, take some time to clean the leaves of your plants as well. Did they get a coating of household dust over the winter? Depending on the plant, you can clean the leaves by wiping them with a damp cloth, misting, or rinsing the plant in the kitchen sink or bathtub. This is especially important in the spring, because dirt and dust on leaves can block out light and clog the pores, and interfere with proper growth.

Re-Potting

Re-potting a plant that needs extra room is essential, though many people are too eager to do so. Most houseplants prefer to be slightly root-bound; too much room in the pot can cause the plant to put too much energy into producing roots and not enough into flowers and foliage. But if you suspect your plants need a new pot, spring is the best time to do so. Gently tap the pot to loosen the soil, and carefully slide the root ball out of the pot. If the roots are a compacted jumble, it’s time to put the plant in a bigger container.

Choose a pot that’s only slightly larger than the previous container. If you’re using a terra-cotta pot, soak it for a couple of hours before re-potting so the pot won’t absorb moisture from the soil. Add drainage materials such as gravel or broken pot pieces to the bottom, then put in a small mound of potting soil. Plants should be re-potted when the soil is slightly dry. Carefully crumble some of the old soil from the roots and trim off any roots that appear dead. Place the plant in the pot, and gently pack the soil around it until it remains upright. The soil level should be about ½ inch from the top of the pot. Water thoroughly, and keep the plant in a slightly dimmer location than usual until it begins to show signs of new growth.

Grooming

Like their outdoor counterparts, indoor plants occasionally need to be groomed and trimmed to keep them healthy and attractive, a task that is best done in the spring. Using a sharp knife or a small pair of pruning scissors, cutting on an angle, first remove any part of the plant that is dead or diseased. If the plant has grown scraggly and lanky, trimming off a few inches will encourage the plant to fill out and grow bushy. Seal the cuts with charcoal from a burnt kitchen match to prevent infection, and sterilize the knife or scissors before working on another plant.

Watering and Feeding

Most houseplants go dormant over the winter, and require less water and fertilizer. In the spring, when they start to grow again, they’ll need more. When you water the plant, do it thoroughly. Add water until it drains through the bottom of the pot, but empty the drainage tray afterward. Check the care requirements for your particular plants to determine how often they’ll need watering. Some prefer to be kept moist at all times; other plants prefer to dry out between waterings.

Plant foods come in several types and formulations. Avoid time-release spikes or pellets, because it can be difficult to remove or flush out the chemicals if the plant shows signs of overfeeding. The easiest and safest form to use is liquid fertilizer, which is mixed with water and can be used as needed. It’s better to underfeed a plant than to overdo the fertilizer. Check the individual plant’s care requirements and read the directions on the package of fertilizer.

While you’re gazing out the window and waiting for the snow to melt, chase away those winter blues by giving some attention to your indoor garden. Clean them, repot as needed, give them a trim, and keep up with their demands for water and food. They’ll reward you with lush foliage and lovely flowers for months to come.

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