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Although you might not think it from the amount of rain we have had, it’s official – spring has finally sprung! You’ll have noticed its brighter in the mornings, the daffodils are well and truly out and we are enjoying some brighter evenings again. Hurrah!
With the much-anticipated arrival of spring and the days getting longer and lighter, your plants will be waking up and raring to get growing again too. You might have already spotted some new shoots, new leaves, and maybe even some flowers. So now’s the time to check in on your houseplants and give them a little extra TLC. Keep reading for our spring houseplant care guide. Use these handy tips to make sure you get the best out of them this season.
At this time of year we receive lots of questions from you lovely plant tribe on the subject of plant care in spring, from ‘how often do you feed houseplants in spring?’, to ‘do houseplants grow faster in spring?’ and ‘what can I do with my houseplants in the spring?’. So we thought it would be useful to pull together this handy guide in an effort to answer all of your questions and more. This means you can make sure your gorgeous greenery is springing happily into spring. Of course, if you still have questions, please do get in touch at [email protected].
The beginning of spring is the perfect time to tidy up your botanicals with a little haircut. Trimming back any long and unruly stems as well as removing any yellow or browning leaves will not only make your plants look tidier, it will also deter pests and encourage new growth. Just in time for their growing season!
To neaten them up beautifully, firstly remove any leaves that have fallen into the soil as these can attract pests and encourage mould to grow.
Next, lightly wet a pair of clean scissors or secateurs and trim off any completely brown leaves at the base.
Lastly, if you notice leaves with just brown tips or edges, snip away those areas.
If dust has settled on your gorgeous greenery over the winter then a spring clean will do them the world of good. Just like giving them a little trim, the benefits of this are more than just visual. Of course, removing the dust will make your plants look fresher and healthier but it will also help them to maximise the absorption of natural sunlight. This is essential for plants as they move into spring, if they are unable to absorb enough sunlight, they won’t be able to photosynthesise effectively. This will impact their growing potential. And we definitely don’t want that!
So, grab a soft damp cloth, support the underside of the leaves with one hand and gently wipe down each leaf with the cloth.
For an extra glossy finish, why not treat your leafy lovelies to a little spritz with our Plantsmith Beautifying Leaf Shine. It is a 100% plant-based product that’s sure to have those glossy, green leaves gleaming beautifully.
Your plants will be loving the extra light that signals the change in the season. It’s a great opportunity to think about where your plants are positioned. Perhaps move them closer to a window so they can enjoy all that extra daylight.
Do keep an eye on any plants on a south or west-facing window though as the direct sunlight might become too strong for them here as spring moves into summer. Your cacti and succulents will love it here though!
Now’s the time to take a few minutes to work out whether any of your botanicals need a new home. Spring is the perfect time to rehome your plants as you’ll want to make sure they’ve got enough room to fulfill their growing potential.
Take a look at the roots; if they are sprawling out of the growing pot that’s a sure sign that it’s time for a new pot. If you think you need to repot one or two of your green beauties, have a read of our Guide to Repotting Houseplants for a full rundown of how to do it.
But in the meantime, the main steps to follow are;
Find a new growing pot that’s about 1 to 2 inches bigger in diameter than the current one.
Gently remove your plant from its existing growing pot.
Put some new compost into the bottom of the new pot, pop the plant on top and fill it in around the sides and top until he’s nice and secure.
Give him a good drink.
All that’s left to do now is find a lovely new ceramic or basket to house your newly re-potted plant.
Paying attention to your watering schedule is a really important part of plant care in spring. We’re sure you will have noticed that your plants have needed less water during the winter but that is about to change. As they are enjoying more light and starting to grow again they will also need a drink more frequently.
To check whether they are ready for a drink, push your thumb about 2 inches into the top of the soil. If it’s dry then it’s time for water.
For medium and large plants, we recommend filling the sink with 10 to 15cm of water and sitting your plants (in their growing pots only) in the water for about 15 minutes before popping them back into their ceramic. This allows them to soak up what they need and avoids the risk of accidentally leaving them sitting in water.
For any smaller houseplants and those in hard-to-reach places check out our collection of watering cans and misters. These have been ergonomically designed for ease of use.
To spritz them in style, have a look at our misters in either copper or gold. They’re stylish and functional in equal measure.
Rotate, Rotate, Rotate
Your plants will naturally grow towards the light and at this time of year, you will notice them starting to look fuller and bushier. It’s important that all of the gorgeous greenery has access to good light to benefit from the lovely sunlight. It’s a fab idea to get into the habit of rotating your plants every few weeks to encourage a lovely, even shape.
It’s very likely that during the winter you have stopped giving your green beauties any plant food because they don’t need it during their sleepy, dormant phase. However, now that they are waking up and starting to grow again, an energy boost from a nutrient-rich plant food will really help them to spring into action.
Here at Team TLB, we highly recommend the Plantsmith Fortifying Houseplant Tonic. It’s a complete blend of 13 essential nutrients and kelp extract. This will stimulate cell growth and promotes stronger leaves and long-lasting flowers.
Over the winter months you’ve probably been giving your indoor jungle a bit less attention so take the time now to give all of your plants a little once over and check for any bugs that might have appeared.
If you do find that one or more of your plants has fallen prey to a pesky pest it’s essential to remove and treat them where possible. Take a look at our blog; Houseplant Pests: What you Need to Know, which will help you to identify what type of bug you’re dealing with and guide you on how to get rid of them.
However, if you find that your infested plant doesn’t improve, it is better to compost him. We know it sounds harsh, but it’s not worth risking the health of your other plants in an attempt to save one that won’t make it.
You can protect your surviving foliage with the Plantsmith Protecting Bug Control Spray. This is a natural formula designed to protect houseplants from the most common types of insects and bugs.
A natural and inevitable part of plant parenting is having to say goodbye to them occasionally. Like all living things, plants will meet their end eventually and you might lose one or two over the winter. Don’t worry, it’s nothing at all to feel guilty about, simply compost him and start again.
The good news is, if you have had to say goodbye to one of your botanical buddies, it gives you a lovely excuse to invest in a new one. You don’t want the pot sitting their all sad and empty do you?
Have a little look at our Naked Range and ease the pain of losing a treasured plant with a spot of retail therapy…
Now, we hope we’ve taken any worries away about how to care for your indoor plants in spring. Just follow these tips and you’ll have perfectly pampered plants ready to reward you with plenty of gorgeous new growth throughout the spring and summer. All you need to do now is sit back and admire your newly spruced-up green beauties. And don’t forget to check out The Little Book for Plant Parents; a super handy little book full of really useful general plant care advice and it looks good nestled on a coffee table too.
Until next time plant gang.
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