Tuesday Tips: Spring Cleaning

2. Deep Clean the Pots & Trays

When was the last time you scrubbed your plant’s pot? Mineral buildup and old fertilizer salts can mess with root health. Remove your plant, rinse the pot with a vinegar-water mix, and give trays and saucers a good wash too.

Bonus Hack: Pop clay pots in the oven at 200°F for 30 minutes to kill any lurking pests or bacteria. Just make sure they’re dry before baking!

3. Prune with Purpose

Trim off yellow, crispy, or leggy growth that developed over winter. This helps the plant redirect energy to healthy new growth. For bushier plants, a light shaping trim can encourage fuller branching.

Benefits of Pruning:

Pruning isn't just about aesthetics; it plays a vital role in plant health:

• Remove Dead or Yellowing Leaves: This prevents potential disease spread and redirects the plant's energy to new growth.

• Shape and Control Growth: Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and can prevent plants from becoming leggy.

Little-Known Tip: For vining plants like pothos, prune just above a leaf node. This technique stimulates the growth of multiple new vines from the cut point, resulting in a fuller appearance.

Secret Sauce Tip: For vining plants like pothos and philodendron, pinching just above a node (where a leaf meets the stem) helps spark new side growth fast.

4. Check for Hitchhikers

Warmer weather means bugs might be making a comeback. Inspect your plants closely—especially under leaves and in the soil—for pests like spider mites, mealybugs, or fungus gnats.

• Pest Inspection: Look for signs of pests such as sticky residue, webbing, or discolored spots. Early detection is key to effective management.

Little-Known Tip: Create a natural pest deterrent by mixing a few drops of neem oil with water. Lightly mist this solution on the leaves to repel common pests without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Try This: Place yellow sticky traps near your plants to catch early signs of flying pests before they become a problem.

5. Time to Repot (or Refresh!)

If your plant is root-bound (roots circling the pot or coming out the bottom), it’s time to size up. But even if it’s not, refreshing the top few inches of soil can do wonders for nutrient flow and aeration.

Soil Health and Repotting:

Over time, soil can become compacted and depleted of nutrients:

• Topsoil Replacement: Even if repotting isn't necessary, consider removing the top 2-3 inches of soil and replacing it with fresh potting mix. This practice replenishes nutrients and improves soil aeration.

• When to Repot: If roots are circling the bottom of the pot or growing through drainage holes, it's time to repot. Choose a pot that's 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one to provide ample space for growth.

Little-Known Tip: Incorporate mycorrhizal fungi into the soil mix. These beneficial fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake and overall plant health.

Pro Move: Mix in a bit of worm castings or compost to supercharge the soil naturally.

6. Reset the Watering Routine

Your plant’s thirst level is about to change with more light and warmth. Check moisture more frequently—but still avoid over-watering.

Seasonal Watering Needs:

As temperatures rise and daylight increases, your plants' metabolic activities accelerate, leading to higher water requirements:

• Check Soil Moisture Regularly: Insert your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. However, always consider the specific needs of each plant species.

• Morning Watering: Water your plants in the early morning. This timing allows any excess moisture on leaves to evaporate during the day, reducing the risk of fungal infections.

Little-Known Tip: Use room-temperature, distilled water for sensitive plants. Tap water can contain minerals and chemicals that may accumulate in the soil over time, potentially harming delicate species.

Old School Trick: Use a wooden chopstick! Insert it a few inches deep—if it comes out dry, it’s time to water.

7. Reintroduce to Light Gradually

Don’t shock your plant by suddenly plopping it into full sun. Move it slowly to brighter spots over a few days to prevent sunburn.

With the sun's trajectory shifting during spring, the intensity and duration of sunlight entering your home will change. It's crucial to evaluate how these changes affect your plants:

Optimizing Plant Locations:

Reevaluate your space to ensure each plant is in its ideal spot:

• Light Requirements: Match each plant's light needs with the appropriate location in your home.

• Space Constraints: Ensure plants have enough room for growth without being overcrowded, which can impede air circulation and increase disease risk.

• Monitor Sunlight Patterns: Observe the areas where your plants are placed. Rooms that were dim during winter might now receive more direct sunlight, potentially causing leaf scorch if plants are not acclimated.

• Gradual Transition: For plants that were positioned close to windows to maximize light during winter, consider moving them slightly away to prevent overexposure. Use sheer curtains to diffuse intense sunlight, creating a gentle environment that mimics their natural habitat.

Cool Tip Alert: Rotate your plants by a quarter turn each week. This practice ensures even light exposure on all sides, promoting symmetrical growth and preventing the plant from leaning towards the light source.

Little-Known Tip: Periodically change plant positions. Rotating plants to different spots can expose them to varying light conditions, promoting balanced growth and preventing phototropism (growing towards light).

9. Time for a Plant Swap!

Spring is also the perfect time to declutter and refresh your space. If you’ve got too many plants (is there such a thing?), consider a mini plant swap with friends! You’ll re-home a few and maybe discover a new fave.

No matter how many (or how few) plants you have, you should make sure they are comfortable.

Creating a Comfortable Environment:

Spring weather can be unpredictable, and indoor conditions should be monitored:

• Stable Temperatures: Aim to keep indoor temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Avoid placing plants near drafts, heaters, or air conditioners.

• Humidity Levels: Many houseplants, especially tropical varieties, thrive in higher humidity. Consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near your plants to increase moisture in the air.

Little-Known Tip: Group plants together to create a microenvironment with higher humidity. Transpiration from multiple plants raises the surrounding moisture levels, benefiting all.

10. Plan for Propagation

There’s something incredibly rewarding about growing new plants from the ones you already love. Spring, with its longer days and active plant growth, is the ideal time to try your hand at propagation. Whether you're looking to expand your indoor jungle, share green gifts with friends, or just geek out over roots forming in a glass of water (we see you!), propagation is both fun and practical. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to multiply your collection without a trip to the plant shop. Let’s look at some easy and effective ways to make baby plants this season.

Expanding Your Indoor Garden:

Spring is an excellent time to propagate many houseplants:

• Stem Cuttings: Plants like pothos, philodendrons, and spider plants can be easily propagated by placing cuttings in water until roots develop.

• Division: For plants like snake plants or peace lilies, dividing the root ball during repotting can create new plants.

Little-Known Tip: Use a rooting hormone to encourage faster root development. While not necessary, it can increase the success rate of propagation efforts.

Little-Known Gem:

Try a “Leaf Shine Smoothie”
Blend a banana peel, a splash of water, and a drop of coconut oil. Wipe your leaves with this natural mixture for a gentle shine and micronutrient boost (just don’t overdo the oil!). Great for large-leaved plants like Monstera or Rubber Trees.