It’s been a long time coming, but it finally feels like winter is over. The days are longer and warmer, and I can honestly say I haven’t felt better in weeks. Suddenly, before my very eyes, my houseplants are bursting with buds, flowers and new leaves. It’s been so fun to watch the new growth appear! This is the perfect time of year to take inventory on your houseplants and think about what they want and need. I thought I’d share some of the bits and pieces of springtime maintenance that I’ve already found helpful this time around. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to consider your wants and needs, too. After all, it’s your collection! 

A Little Off the Top

While taking a quick inventory earlier this spring, I was kind of shocked to discover that my Swiss Cheese plant and my pothos had quadrupled in length in the last year, and my spider plant had shot out over a dozen babies (thank-you, Plant Vitamins). As I trained one trailing plant around a new trellis and moved the others to new locations, I realized that they could all use a bit of a trim. Tidying up these plants can keep them a bit more manageable and easier to maintain. But instead of tossing the clippings, I decided to propagate. The clippings and spider babies have been sitting in my propagation stand, and my plan is to plant them in cute little terracotta pots for gifting to my loved ones. In the meantime, they look lovely and don’t require much upkeep at all. Plus, it’s so satisfying to watch their roots grow!

Location, Location, Location

I’m not the only one who is thrilled with the extended daylight hours; I can tell my plants are too. I get excited that longer days signal the time of year when I can move my plants around a bit. While they need to be directly next to the light source in the winter, in the warmer months they can stand to be four to six feet away from the windows. Corners that were dark have become bright again, and boring little nooks now house beautiful greenery. This means that you will find me rearranging furniture and buying new plant stands in my free time!!

Swapping Pots & Increasing Hydration

Have you noticed how quickly your plants are drying out all of a sudden? I find that especially once the windows are flung wide open and a breeze can float through my house, the plants dry out twice as fast. This is why it’s important to keep a close eye on the soil and see if they may be ready for more frequent watering.

There’s another thing to consider if your plant is thirsty: it may be time to repot. Springtime is a great time to repot your plants. While they may suffer from a bit of shock from the upheaval, they bounce back much quicker at this time of year. For those that I want to grow big and beautiful, like my new Monstera Deliciosa, a pot that is a couple inches larger is the ticket. There are some plants that are already the ideal size, and I keep them happy by repotting them with fresh soil into the same container, or one of a similar size (with a dose of Boost, to help along the way). 

This is my second spring with houseplants, and my first with such a large collection. I have always loved the changing of the seasons, and I am so happy to see my plants celebrating right along with me. Giving them a little TLC has been a great way to spend my free time. What else is on your to-do list this spring? Let me know on the Plant Vitamins social channels; I’d love to learn from you!