You may be wondering, how do our houseplants know spring has arrived and that it’s time to start growing again? Believe it or not, plants notice that the days are getting longer and more hours of sunlight are streaming through your windows. They get just as happy as we do with these extra hours of sunshine! As spring arrives, our houseplants wake up from their winter rest or dormancy and are signaled that it is their time to start growing again. How do you prepare potted plants for spring? As our plants transition into the new season, there are some special care tips to follow that will promote healthy growth this spring!

Spring Plant Care Tips

Pruning

By the end of winter, your houseplants are in need of some cleaning up and removal of old growth. Pruning helps your plant conserve energy that is being sent to dying or damaged leaves so that it can be directed to support new growth instead.

Identify any droopy, yellow, dried out, or otherwise damaged leaves and cut off the affected area with clean, sterilized scissors or shears. When the whole leaf or stem is affected, it can be cut off at the base. Make sure you don’t cut the main stem of your plant! Typically, you should cut at a 45 degree angle.

For succulents, remove damaged or dying leaves from the bottom up, and avoid removing the top of the plant. If you give your succulent leaves a gentle pull, damaged or dying ones should come off easily. You can also cut the leaves from the stem with a sterilized knife.

Clean Leaves

Things get a little dusty through the winter, including your houseplants! Spring is the perfect time to clean plant leaves. Clean leaves not only look better but will also photosynthesize better - yay for promoting healthy growth! A clean microfiber cloth is great for removing dust and a damp cloth will shine those leaves right up. (Note that there are some plants you won’t want to use a wet cloth on like certain succulents and African Violets.) No need to use products with wax or oil to shine your leaves, this can clog the plant’s pores, making it harder for them to breathe.

A Time to Repot

Spring is a great time to repot since it coincides with the new growing cycle. Identify any plants that may need to be repotted. This could include any overgrown or root-bound plants. Moving to a slightly larger pot will give your plant’s roots some wiggle room. Also changing out the soil for your plant will give it fresh nutrients to help it grow.

Increase Watering

Warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours that are introduced during the spring tend to make your plant thirstier than during the winter months. Spring is the time to increase watering for your houseplants. Now is also a good time to brush up on your plant’s needs and establish a good watering routine for the spring and summer months. Check out our blog post on When to Water Plants to learn more. 

Think about Fertilizing

It is recommended that you do not fertilize your plants during the fall and winter months as your plant’s growth slows down during this time. You may be wondering, when should I start fertilizing my indoor plants in the spring? After resting all winter, your plant is ready to grow and you can now start fertilizing again. Start slowly as you ramp back up into your normal fertilizing routine so you do not shock your plant. Also, if you repotted any of your plants into new soil, they will not need to be fertilized right away.

Are you planning on taking any of your houseplants outside for the warmer months? Before rushing your plant babies outside, there are a few important factors to consider. Read our Outdoor Plant Tips to prepare for your plants’ backyard vacation this year!